How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from The Maltese Falcon.
Quote #7
CAIRO: I adhered to the course you indicated earlier in your rooms but I certainly wish you would have invented a more reasonable story. I felt distinctly like an idiot repeating it.
SPADE: Don't worry about the story's goofiness. A sensible one would have had us all in the cooler.
Perhaps Spade senses a "me vs. the world" mentality in Brigid and understands that she lies as a result of that. Spade behaves the same way. For him, it's acceptable to lie to the police because he believes they are unfairly out to get him. He needs any advantage he can get, even one built on falsehoods.
Quote #8
EFFIE: I'll have to say she's a surprise witness, or someone you're keeping undercover until the last minute.
"Good liar" must be in Effie's job description. Do you think it said that in the newspaper ad for a detective's secretary? "Nice phone manner. Able to type quickly and accurately. And lie at the drop of a hat."