Fenner Brockway

Thirtieth in the long-running mystery series with Dr Launcelot Priestley. >Robert Bayle was a man of exceptional character. He indulged himself in no vices and affected a neatness of habit and appearance that was almost fanatical. That was why Inspector Jimmy Waghorn was puzzled when he found the highly-scented handkerchief and the half-burnt bank-note close beside Bayle's body. Neither seemed consistent with the dead man's rерutation. Then, when he pushed the investigation further and discovered the colorful but extremely questionable business career of James Harleyford, Bayle's employer, the situation because even more incongruous. >Dr. Priestley, the eminent scientist and criminologist, seemed interested in the case when Waghorn related it to him, but he merely confused the poor Inspector further with a cryptic remark about the safest method of descending a staircase in the dark. It was only after a sudden breathtaking turn of events that the solution showed itself.