Robert Barr (1849â1912) was a Scottish-Canadian short story writer and novelist, born in Glasgow, Scotland who relocated to London in 1881 where he founded the magazine âThe Idlerâ in 1892 in collaboration with Jerome K Jerome. In 1895 he retired from its co-editorship and became a prolific novelist. His famous detective character EugĂŠne Valmont, fashioned after Sherlock Holmes, is said to be the inspiration behind Agatha Christieâs Hercule Poirot. Some of his works include: âIn the Midst of Alarmsâ, a story of the attempted Fenian invasion of Canada in 1866; âA Woman Intervenesâ, a story of love, finance, and American journalism; and âCountess Teklaâ, a historical novel. Mr. Robert Barrâs â Cardillacâ is a machine-made historical tale of the time of King Louis XIII, set in old France.