Now, I'll tell you my proposal.

Supposing that we consult with Lecocq." "Who is that?
The novelist ?" "Novelist?
I don't think he has ever written any novels--not that I remember of." "Ah, I didn't know.

It seemed to me that I remembered his name in connection with some novel." "Oh, very likely you did.

He is the hero of more detective stories than any other man I know of.

He was the great French detective." "What, is he dead, then ?" "Dead?
Not a bit of it; he's here with us.