The Wheel returns us to Crotchet Castle (1831), Chapter VIII, Science and Charity. On his way home from dinner, Reverend Doctor Folliott has been attacked by a pair of ruffians. He successfully (accidentally) defends himself.

...'I will beat you to a jelly, and I will then roll you into the ditch, to lie till the constable comes for you, thief.’

‘Hold! hold! reverend sir,’ exclaimed the penitent culprit, ‘I am disabled already in every finger, and in every joint. I will roll myself into the ditch, reverend sir.’

‘Stir not, rascal,’ returned the divine, ‘stir not so much as the quietest leaf above you, or my bamboo rebounds on your body, like hail in a thunder-storm. Confess, speedily, villain; are you simple thief, or would you have manufactured me into a subject, for the benefit of science? Ay, miscreant caitiff, you would have made me a subject for science, would you? You are a schoolmaster abroad, are you? You are marching with a detachment of the march of mind, are you? You are a member of the Steam Intellect Society, are you? You swear by the learned friend, do you?’

‘Oh no, reverend sir,’ answered the criminal, ‘I am innocent of all these offences, whatever they are...' 

Note: "Caitiff" is a coward, villain, despicable person.