C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson

“ You see, I didn't want to go to the same firm.”
“Isn't one firm of detectives enough at one time on one job?”
“It isn't one job. You're the shrewdest woman I know. You must see that James Courtenaye has engaged his detective to spy upon me, to dog my footsteps, to discover if I suddenly blossom out into untold magnificence on ill-got gains. I intend to turn the tables on him, and when I come back to your flat it will be in the company of my very own little detective.” ”

“ Smith, as I have explained, wasn't posing as a detective, but he was engaged to stop, look, and listen for all he was worth and tell me his impressions afterward—just as, no doubt, the great Mr. Pemberton was to tell Sir James his.
We talked over the robbery in conclave; we amateurs suggesting theories, the professionals committing themselves to nothing so premature. The sole decision arrived at, and agreed to by all, was to keep the affair among ourselves for the present. ”

“ Nothing on earth would make me believe anything against them. Why, if they didn't have almost halos and wings Sir James and the insurance people would have objected to them as guardians. The very fact that they had been kept on, without a word of protest from any one when Courtenaye Abbey was let to Sir James, was, I argued, the best testimonials to the Barlows' character.
Nevertheless, my orders were that Mr. Smith should go to Devonshire and take a room at the Courtenaye Arms, dressed and painted to represent a landscape artist. ”