Who is Basil and Bayley Penniman from The Cat Who Saw Red and what is their importance?

Basil and Bayley own the Hash House, which is a chain of restaurants. They also own a newspaper that is in direct competition with the Daily Fluxion. Basil and Bayley were responsible for starting the rumors about the Golden Lamb Chop, hoping to ruin Max Sorrel's buisiness and take over his location.