"There really wasn't a lot this machine could do that you couldn't do yourself in half the time with a lot less trouble," said Richard, "but it was, on the other hand, very good at being a slow and dim-witted pupil."

More from Adams Douglas/Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

• "Dirk, please, if you would. I prefer it. It has more of a sort of Scottish dagger feel to it."
• "It's all right, it's just a horse in the bathroom"
• "Tall. Tall and absurdly thin. And good-natured. A bit like a preying mantis that doesn't prey -- a non-preying mantis if you like. A sort of pleasant genial mantis that's given up preying and taken up tennis instead."
• "Well," said Reg, "it's been an interesting time recently, or rather, a dull time. But dull for interesting reasons."
• "Yes, it is," said the Professor. "Wait --" he motioned to Richard, who was about to go out again and investigate -- "let it be. It won't be long."