So, unless anyone knows the answer, I’m stuck pursuing guesses.

Carruthers is a character in “The Riddle of the Sands: A Record of Secret Service” , a 1903 thriller / espionage novel by Erskine Childers.

That was a best seller in its day, and could plausibly be the source. But the Project Gutenberg text doesn’t have the trope.

Perhaps it’s a line from an adaptation of the story, or a misquote?

Or perhaps this is a red herring?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Riddle_of_the_Sands

#TheRiddleOfTheSands
#ErskineChilders

I see #ErskineChilders is getting a stamp, as he should; but remember that the #seven #signatories of the #Proclamation and leaders of the #1916Rising didn't get one each https://www.anpost.com/Shop/Special-issue-stamps/Centenary-of-the-Death-of-Erskine-Childers

This week 1922, Pathé Gazette featured Mary and Annie MacSwiney for their hunger strikes inside & outside the gates of Dublin's Mountjoy Jail. A separate newsreel item focused on recently executed Erskine Childers. Images: Belfast News-Letter & British Pathé #EarlyIrishCinema1922 #IrishHistory #MaryMacSwiney #ErskineChilders #Mountjoy

Fascinating piece on a French war reporter in Ireland during the #CivilWar #AndréeViollis #ErskineChilders https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-irish-diary/2022/11/27/andree-viollis-in-ireland-a-french-journalists-view-of-the-civil-war/

It is the centenary of the execution by firing squad of the Irish nationalist #ErskineChilders, soldier in the Boer War, author of the best selling spy novel "The Riddle of the Sands", owner of the gun-running yacht #Asgard, SF MP for #Kildare-Wicklow.

He was executed for the possession of a small gun, a gift from Michael Collins.

His last words were “Take a step or two forward, lads, it will be easier that way."

His son became fourth President of Ireland.

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2022/1122/1337715-robert-erskine-childers/