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rich idiot with no day job was disambiguated by TRS. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=16723903170.78923100&
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During TheRoaringTwenties and TheGreatDepression, RichIdiotWithNoDayJob Lester Leith spends his days reading newspaper reports about various crimes, then figuring out a way to steal the loot from the crooks, donating most of the money to the poor while keeping a little to support his lifestyle. The police are well aware of what he's up to (Leith's valet is an undercover cop) and are desperate to catch Leith in the act, but he's well aware of what they are doing and plans his jobs to make sure that he doesn't leave behind any evidence.
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During TheRoaringTwenties and TheGreatDepression, RichIdiotWithNoDayJob IdleRich man Lester Leith spends his days reading newspaper reports about various crimes, then figuring out a way to steal the loot from the crooks, donating most of the money to the poor while keeping a little to support his lifestyle. The police are well aware of what he's up to (Leith's valet is an undercover cop) and are desperate to catch Leith in the act, but he's well aware of what they are doing and plans his jobs to make sure that he doesn't leave behind any evidence.
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''Lester Leith'' is a PulpMagazine series by Creator/ErleStanleyGardner (the creator of ''Literature/PerryMason''). During TheRoaringTwenties and TheGreatDepression, RichIdiotWithNoDayJob Lester Leith spends his days reading newspaper reports about various crimes, then figuring out a way to steal the loot from the crooks, donating most of the money to the poor while keeping a little to support his lifestyle. The police are well aware of what he's up to (Leith's valet is an undercover cop) and are desperate to catch Leith in the act, but he's well aware of what they are doing and plans his jobs to make sure that he doesn't leave behind any evidence.
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''Lester Leith'' is a PulpMagazine series by Creator/ErleStanleyGardner (the creator of ''Literature/PerryMason'').
During TheRoaringTwenties and TheGreatDepression, RichIdiotWithNoDayJob Lester Leith spends his days reading newspaper reports about various crimes, then figuring out a way to steal the loot from the crooks, donating most of the money to the poor while keeping a little to support his lifestyle. The police are well aware of what he's up to (Leith's valet is an undercover cop) and are desperate to catch Leith in the act, but he's well aware of what they are doing and plans his jobs to make sure that he doesn't leave behind any evidence.
During TheRoaringTwenties and TheGreatDepression, RichIdiotWithNoDayJob Lester Leith spends his days reading newspaper reports about various crimes, then figuring out a way to steal the loot from the crooks, donating most of the money to the poor while keeping a little to support his lifestyle. The police are well aware of what he's up to (Leith's valet is an undercover cop) and are desperate to catch Leith in the act, but he's well aware of what they are doing and plans his jobs to make sure that he doesn't leave behind any evidence.
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[[quoteright:208:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lester_leith.jpg]]
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''Lester Leith'' is a PulpMagazine series by Creator/ErleStanleyGardner (the creator of ''Literature/PerryMason''). During TheRoaringTwenties and TheGreatDepression, RichIdiotWithNoDayJob Lester Leith spends his days reading newspaper reports about various crimes, then figuring out a way to steal the loot from the crooks, donating most of the money to the poor while keeping a little to support his lifestyle. The police are well aware of what he's up to (Leith's valet is an undercover cop) and are desperate to catch Leith in the act, but he's well aware of what they are doing and plans his jobs to make sure that they don't leave behind any evidence.
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''Lester Leith'' is a PulpMagazine series by Creator/ErleStanleyGardner (the creator of ''Literature/PerryMason''). During TheRoaringTwenties and TheGreatDepression, RichIdiotWithNoDayJob Lester Leith spends his days reading newspaper reports about various crimes, then figuring out a way to steal the loot from the crooks, donating most of the money to the poor while keeping a little to support his lifestyle. The police are well aware of what he's up to (Leith's valet is an undercover cop) and are desperate to catch Leith in the act, but he's well aware of what they are doing and plans his jobs to make sure that they don't he doesn't leave behind any evidence.
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* ArmchairDetective: Lester Leith reads the newspapers, looking for clues about high-profile crimes that he can solve in order to steal the loot. In "Cold Clews," Leith mocks how the police can't solve the crimes with the same facts that he has. His valet (an undercover cop) argues that Leith can pick and choose which cases he takes while the police have to take everything that comes their way without delay and handle loads of cases at once. Leith reluctantly concedes the point, only to be given a chance to solve a case that he hasn't read about in the papers, and successfully does so.
* TheChessmaster: Lester Leith delights in engaging in seemingly bizarre actions that throw of the cops who are spying on him, even when they are trying to think ahead of him. Every little move he makes helps ensure that he ends up with the loot and the police don't get any evidence.
** In "Thieves Kitchen," he hires several ex-cons, supposedly for a get rich scheme meant to disguise his latest theft, but really because he's gambling on them stealing the evidence the police could use to arrest him.
* TheChessmaster: Lester Leith delights in engaging in seemingly bizarre actions that throw of the cops who are spying on him, even when they are trying to think ahead of him. Every little move he makes helps ensure that he ends up with the loot and the police don't get any evidence.
** In "Thieves Kitchen," he hires several ex-cons, supposedly for a get rich scheme meant to disguise his latest theft, but really because he's gambling on them stealing the evidence the police could use to arrest him.
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* ArmchairDetective: Lester Leith reads the newspapers, looking for clues about high-profile crimes that he can solve in order to steal the loot. In "Cold Clews," Leith mocks how the police can't solve the crimes with the same facts that he has. His valet (an undercover cop) argues that Leith can pick and choose which cases he takes while the police have to take everything that comes their way without delay and handle loads of cases at once. Leith reluctantly concedes the point, only to be given a chance to solve a case that he hasn't read about in the papers, and which he successfully does so.
does.
* TheChessmaster: Lester Leith delights in engaging in seemingly bizarre actions that throwof off the cops who are spying on him, even when they are trying to think ahead of him. Every little move he makes helps ensure that he ends up with the loot and the police don't get any evidence.
** In "Thieves Kitchen," he hires several ex-cons, supposedly for aget rich get-rich scheme meant to disguise his latest theft, but really because he's gambling on them stealing the evidence the police could use to arrest him.
* TheChessmaster: Lester Leith delights in engaging in seemingly bizarre actions that throw
** In "Thieves Kitchen," he hires several ex-cons, supposedly for a
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* FaceDeathWithDignity: The story "Hot Cash" involves a BriefcaseFullOfMoney being stolen from a CorruptPolitician. His bodyguard is mortally wounded while trying to stop the theft. As everyone else present callously wails about how the robbery will expose the corruption, the bodyguard remains calm, dutiful, and dignified despite his AgonizingStomachWound. His last words are used to compliment one of his colleagues for managing to pull a successful cover up (making it look like the robbery and shooting happened elsewhere) and saying that he's glad he managed to remain alive long enough to help make that scene more convincing.
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* FaceDeathWithDignity: The story "Hot Cash" involves a BriefcaseFullOfMoney being stolen from a CorruptPolitician. His bodyguard is mortally wounded while trying to stop the theft. As everyone else present callously wails about how the robbery will expose the corruption, the bodyguard remains calm, dutiful, and dignified despite his AgonizingStomachWound. His last words are used to compliment one of his colleagues for managing to pull a successful cover up cover-up (making it look like the robbery and shooting happened elsewhere) and saying that he's glad he managed to remain alive long enough to help make that scene more convincing.
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* MaliciousMisnaming: Leith calls his valet, Mr. Beaver, "Scuttle," claiming that it's because he looks like a pirate. Sergeant Ackley eventually figures out that he does this to make Beaver angry to throw him off his game.
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* MaliciousMisnaming: Leith calls his valet, Mr. Beaver, "Scuttle," claiming that it's because he looks like a pirate. Sergeant Ackley eventually figures out that he does this to make Beaver angry to and throw him off his game.
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* EekAMouse: "The Girl with the Diamond Legs'' has a thief release a mouse at a party, knowing that one guest is deathly afraid of mice and her hysterical reaction willl provide a distraction for the theft.
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--> '''Captain Walker:''' That is particularly true of a man who has just made a fifty-thousand dollar donation to the Police Protective Association. The net result, Sergeant, is one murderer bough to justice [[LeaveBehindAPistol without the expense of a trial for the state to pay]]; one innocent woman removed from suspicion; one innocent chauffeur, ditto; credit to the police department for having solved a baffling case in record time--and fifty thousand dollars for the wives and orphaned kiddies of brave men who gave their services to the state. This Leith fellow may be a crook as you say. But, Sergeant, if we had about fifty more crooks like him we'd have a city free of crime, and a fund for orphaned kiddos and hungry widows that would make me sleep a lot better of nights. And that, Sergeant Ackley, closes the subject.
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--> '''Captain Walker:''' That is particularly true of a man who has just made a fifty-thousand dollar donation to the Police Protective Association. The net result, Sergeant, is one murderer bough brought to justice [[LeaveBehindAPistol without the expense of a trial for the state to pay]]; one innocent woman removed from suspicion; one innocent chauffeur, ditto; credit to the police department for having solved a baffling case in record time--and fifty thousand dollars for the wives and orphaned kiddies of brave men who gave their services to the state. This Leith fellow may be a crook as you say. But, Sergeant, if we had about fifty more crooks like him we'd have a city free of crime, and a fund for orphaned kiddos and hungry widows that would make me sleep a lot better of nights. And that, Sergeant Ackley, closes the subject.
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* ExactWords: Leith loves to use his words to manipulate people. In "Cold Clews," he bets his valet (an undercover cop itching to bust him) that he can take a diamond necklace from a jewelry store, and the police will never be able to convict him. The cops are dancing a jig at this development, sure that they'll be able to convict Leith of conspiracy even if they can't find the necklace itself. Instead, Leith ''buys'' a necklace (which they can't convict him of stealing) while also managing to slip away with another necklace that had been hidden on store property in the aftermath of a recent robbery.
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* ExactWords: Leith loves to use his words to manipulate people. In "Cold Clews," "Lester Takes the Cake," he bets his valet (an undercover cop itching to bust him) that he can take a diamond necklace from a jewelry store, and the police will never be able to convict him. The cops are dancing a jig at this development, sure that they'll be able to convict Leith of conspiracy even if they can't find the necklace itself. Instead, Leith ''buys'' a necklace (which they can't convict him of stealing) while also managing to slip away with another necklace that had been hidden on store property in the aftermath of a recent robbery.
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''Lester Leith'' is a PulpMagazine series by Creator/ErleStanleyGardner (the creator of ''Literature/PerryMason''). During TheRoaringTwenties and TheGreatDepression, RichIdiotWithNoDayJob Lester Leith spends his days reading newspaper reports about various crimes, then figuring out a way to steal the loot from the crooks, donating most of the money to the poor while keeping a little to support his lifestyle. The police are well aware of what he's up to (Leith's valet is an undercover cop) and are desperate to catch Leith in the act, but he's well aware of what they are doing and plans his jobs to make sure that they don't leave behind any evidence.
!!Tropes:
* ArmchairDetective: Lester Leith reads the newspapers, looking for clues about high-profile crimes that he can solve in order to steal the loot. In "Cold Clews," Leith mocks how the police can't solve the crimes with the same facts that he has. His valet (an undercover cop) argues that Leith can pick and choose which cases he takes while the police have to take everything that comes their way without delay and handle loads of cases at once. Leith reluctantly concedes the point, only to be given a chance to solve a case that he hasn't read about in the papers, and successfully does so.
* TheChessmaster: Lester Leith delights in engaging in seemingly bizarre actions that throw of the cops who are spying on him, even when they are trying to think ahead of him. Every little move he makes helps ensure that he ends up with the loot and the police don't get any evidence.
** In "Thieves Kitchen," he hires several ex-cons, supposedly for a get rich scheme meant to disguise his latest theft, but really because he's gambling on them stealing the evidence the police could use to arrest him.
** In "Put It in Writing," he insists on the police signing a letter giving him the right to sell two seemingly worthless items. He then uses those items for some BluffingTheMurderer {{Blackmail}} while producing the letter to make it seem as if the police are working with him and are willing to let the murderer go if they get paid. Then he tells the police to arrest the killer while the man is nearby with access to poison, causing him to commit suicide. When the police threaten to arrest Leith, he reveals that he's summoned a reporter who will arrive within minutes, and they can either take credit for solving the case or be humiliated when he waves around the letter they signed.
* DoorSlamOfRage: A RunningGag is how Lieutenant Ackley slams the door (or wants to slam it but can't due to the presence of his superiors) after being outsmarted by Leith.
* ExactWords: Leith loves to use his words to manipulate people. In "Cold Clews," he bets his valet (an undercover cop itching to bust him) that he can take a diamond necklace from a jewelry store, and the police will never be able to convict him. The cops are dancing a jig at this development, sure that they'll be able to convict Leith of conspiracy even if they can't find the necklace itself. Instead, Leith ''buys'' a necklace (which they can't convict him of stealing) while also managing to slip away with another necklace that had been hidden on store property in the aftermath of a recent robbery.
* FaceDeathWithDignity: The story "Hot Cash" involves a BriefcaseFullOfMoney being stolen from a CorruptPolitician. His bodyguard is mortally wounded while trying to stop the theft. As everyone else present callously wails about how the robbery will expose the corruption, the bodyguard remains calm, dutiful, and dignified despite his AgonizingStomachWound. His last words are used to compliment one of his colleagues for managing to pull a successful cover up (making it look like the robbery and shooting happened elsewhere) and saying that he's glad he managed to remain alive long enough to help make that scene more convincing.
--> ''Charles Dumoe narrowed his eyes, estimated his chances as being less than ten to one, faced death with a smile.''
* GracefulLoser: In "Cold Clews," a jeweler is tricked into paying a large reward to recover his stolen property even though it could have been found without paying the reward without much trouble. He's annoyed with the police for overlooking this, but shows a sense of respect for Leith.
--> '''Samuel Riggers:''' This man has proved his good faith ... also his diabolical cleverness. Mr. Leith, if you ever want to turn your intellectual talents to business pursuits, I shall deem it a pleasure to have you call upon me.
* JustLikeRobinHood: Lester solves crimes, steals the profits from the criminals, and uses them to fund charities.
* LeaveBehindAPistol: In several books, Lester investigates murders and shows utter disgust for the killers, often leaning them with a means to commit suicide after finding a way to get the stolen goods or some blackmail money.
* MaliciousMisnaming: Leith calls his valet, Mr. Beaver, "Scuttle," claiming that it's because he looks like a pirate. Sergeant Ackley eventually figures out that he does this to make Beaver angry to throw him off his game.
* TheMole: Leith's valet is a police spy. Leith is aware of this and loves to FeedTheMole or get a rise out of him.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: On one occasion, one of Sergeant Ackley's bosses realizes that two innocent people have been framed before Leith gets involved in the case, and his subordinates think he's letting himself be played for a sucker. At the end of the story, that same superior refuses to issue an indictment against Leith due to approving of his JustLikeRobinHood crimes, both due to a lack of evidence and because of ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight sentiment.
--> '''Sergeant Ackley:''' It takes evidence to convict.
--> '''Captain Walker:''' That is particularly true of a man who has just made a fifty-thousand dollar donation to the Police Protective Association. The net result, Sergeant, is one murderer bough to justice [[LeaveBehindAPistol without the expense of a trial for the state to pay]]; one innocent woman removed from suspicion; one innocent chauffeur, ditto; credit to the police department for having solved a baffling case in record time--and fifty thousand dollars for the wives and orphaned kiddies of brave men who gave their services to the state. This Leith fellow may be a crook as you say. But, Sergeant, if we had about fifty more crooks like him we'd have a city free of crime, and a fund for orphaned kiddos and hungry widows that would make me sleep a lot better of nights. And that, Sergeant Ackley, closes the subject.
* WrongfullyAccused: "Cold Clews" has Leith recruited by a beautiful woman to clear her ex-con brother of a jewel theft. He succeeds while collecting a reward for the recovery of the jewels in the process.
!!Tropes:
* ArmchairDetective: Lester Leith reads the newspapers, looking for clues about high-profile crimes that he can solve in order to steal the loot. In "Cold Clews," Leith mocks how the police can't solve the crimes with the same facts that he has. His valet (an undercover cop) argues that Leith can pick and choose which cases he takes while the police have to take everything that comes their way without delay and handle loads of cases at once. Leith reluctantly concedes the point, only to be given a chance to solve a case that he hasn't read about in the papers, and successfully does so.
* TheChessmaster: Lester Leith delights in engaging in seemingly bizarre actions that throw of the cops who are spying on him, even when they are trying to think ahead of him. Every little move he makes helps ensure that he ends up with the loot and the police don't get any evidence.
** In "Thieves Kitchen," he hires several ex-cons, supposedly for a get rich scheme meant to disguise his latest theft, but really because he's gambling on them stealing the evidence the police could use to arrest him.
** In "Put It in Writing," he insists on the police signing a letter giving him the right to sell two seemingly worthless items. He then uses those items for some BluffingTheMurderer {{Blackmail}} while producing the letter to make it seem as if the police are working with him and are willing to let the murderer go if they get paid. Then he tells the police to arrest the killer while the man is nearby with access to poison, causing him to commit suicide. When the police threaten to arrest Leith, he reveals that he's summoned a reporter who will arrive within minutes, and they can either take credit for solving the case or be humiliated when he waves around the letter they signed.
* DoorSlamOfRage: A RunningGag is how Lieutenant Ackley slams the door (or wants to slam it but can't due to the presence of his superiors) after being outsmarted by Leith.
* ExactWords: Leith loves to use his words to manipulate people. In "Cold Clews," he bets his valet (an undercover cop itching to bust him) that he can take a diamond necklace from a jewelry store, and the police will never be able to convict him. The cops are dancing a jig at this development, sure that they'll be able to convict Leith of conspiracy even if they can't find the necklace itself. Instead, Leith ''buys'' a necklace (which they can't convict him of stealing) while also managing to slip away with another necklace that had been hidden on store property in the aftermath of a recent robbery.
* FaceDeathWithDignity: The story "Hot Cash" involves a BriefcaseFullOfMoney being stolen from a CorruptPolitician. His bodyguard is mortally wounded while trying to stop the theft. As everyone else present callously wails about how the robbery will expose the corruption, the bodyguard remains calm, dutiful, and dignified despite his AgonizingStomachWound. His last words are used to compliment one of his colleagues for managing to pull a successful cover up (making it look like the robbery and shooting happened elsewhere) and saying that he's glad he managed to remain alive long enough to help make that scene more convincing.
--> ''Charles Dumoe narrowed his eyes, estimated his chances as being less than ten to one, faced death with a smile.''
* GracefulLoser: In "Cold Clews," a jeweler is tricked into paying a large reward to recover his stolen property even though it could have been found without paying the reward without much trouble. He's annoyed with the police for overlooking this, but shows a sense of respect for Leith.
--> '''Samuel Riggers:''' This man has proved his good faith ... also his diabolical cleverness. Mr. Leith, if you ever want to turn your intellectual talents to business pursuits, I shall deem it a pleasure to have you call upon me.
* JustLikeRobinHood: Lester solves crimes, steals the profits from the criminals, and uses them to fund charities.
* LeaveBehindAPistol: In several books, Lester investigates murders and shows utter disgust for the killers, often leaning them with a means to commit suicide after finding a way to get the stolen goods or some blackmail money.
* MaliciousMisnaming: Leith calls his valet, Mr. Beaver, "Scuttle," claiming that it's because he looks like a pirate. Sergeant Ackley eventually figures out that he does this to make Beaver angry to throw him off his game.
* TheMole: Leith's valet is a police spy. Leith is aware of this and loves to FeedTheMole or get a rise out of him.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: On one occasion, one of Sergeant Ackley's bosses realizes that two innocent people have been framed before Leith gets involved in the case, and his subordinates think he's letting himself be played for a sucker. At the end of the story, that same superior refuses to issue an indictment against Leith due to approving of his JustLikeRobinHood crimes, both due to a lack of evidence and because of ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight sentiment.
--> '''Sergeant Ackley:''' It takes evidence to convict.
--> '''Captain Walker:''' That is particularly true of a man who has just made a fifty-thousand dollar donation to the Police Protective Association. The net result, Sergeant, is one murderer bough to justice [[LeaveBehindAPistol without the expense of a trial for the state to pay]]; one innocent woman removed from suspicion; one innocent chauffeur, ditto; credit to the police department for having solved a baffling case in record time--and fifty thousand dollars for the wives and orphaned kiddies of brave men who gave their services to the state. This Leith fellow may be a crook as you say. But, Sergeant, if we had about fifty more crooks like him we'd have a city free of crime, and a fund for orphaned kiddos and hungry widows that would make me sleep a lot better of nights. And that, Sergeant Ackley, closes the subject.
* WrongfullyAccused: "Cold Clews" has Leith recruited by a beautiful woman to clear her ex-con brother of a jewel theft. He succeeds while collecting a reward for the recovery of the jewels in the process.
