Fortunately, we were able to dispense with your assistance, having other matters to occupy our brains.

You two were ripe nuts waiting to be cracked and have the contents extracted at leisure.

There were a few freshly broken shells lying about which invited immediate attention.

For instance, some four months ago, a well-known and reputable firm of private inquiry agents was instructed from Canton to secure all possible information about Mrs.Lester and you--yes, you, Mr.
Forbes--your household, friends, methods of living, servants, tradesmen,--every sort of fact, indeed, which might be useful to a thoroughgoing and well-organized society of cutthroats like the Young Manchus.

The inquiry agents did their work well, and were handsomely paid for it.