This work usually appears on lists of the ten most important books of detective stories published in the United States. The tales of Uncle Abner take place in what is now West Virginia, in the 1840's or 1850's. Melville Davisson Post (1869-1930) was a lawyer, political insider, and candidate for ...
It was the notorious Lady Gault in the most beautiful frame that one could buy in Bond Street. I was astonished to see her picture in this house, or in any house. She was an unspeakable person. Sir Rufus had sent me word to ride over and sit with him. The fifth Duke of Dorset was expected on this...
It had lifted a little on Friday evening when Monsieur Jonquelle came out of the Empire Service Club. “Diable!” he commented as he waited for his motor to draw up; “these Britons have lungs of brass.” He had come this day from Paris and dined with Sir James Macbain, the head of the English depart...
It had been a mild day with a soft, stagnant air. The sky seemed about to descend and enclose the earth, as though it were a thing which it had long pursued and had now got into a corner. All day it seemed thus to hover motionless above its quarry, and the earth to be apprehensive like a thing in...