Margery Allingham 
Mystery Mile [EPUB ebook] 

The Englishman at his side glanced across the sea of chairs at the handsome old man they had been watching. ‘Ten pounds, ’ he said. ‘All right, I’ll take you. You’ve no idea what a safe little place England is.’
A slow smile spread over the American’s face. ‘You’ve got no idea what a dangerous old fellow Crowdy Lobbett is, ’ he said. ‘If your police are going to look after him they’ll have to keep him in a steel bandbox, and I don’t envy them that job. It’s almost a pity to take your money, though I’m giving you better odds than any Insurance Corporation in the States would offer.’