THE PHŒNIX OF CRIME I Mr. Mitchel was still at breakfast one morning, when the card of Mr. Barnes was brought to him by his man Williams. "Show Mr. Barnes in here," said he. "I imagine that he must be in a hurry to see me, else he would not call so early." A few minutes later the detective entered, saying: "It is very kind of you to let me come in without waiting. I hope that I am not intruding." "Not at all. As to being kind, why I am kind to myself. I knew you must have something interesting o

THE MISSING LINK " The object of my visit," began Mr. Barnes, "is of such grave importance that I approach it with hesitation, and I may even say reluctance. Will you give me your closest attention?" "I understood from your note," replied Mr. Mitchel, "that you wished to consult me in regard to some case which you are investigating. As you are well aware, I take the keenest interest in the solving of criminal problems. Therefore proceed. But first let me light a Havana. A good cigar always aids

THE NAMELESS MAN Mr. Barnes was sitting in his private room, with nothing of special importance to occupy his thoughts, when his office boy announced a visitor. "What name?" asked Mr. Barnes. "None," was the reply. "You mean," said the detective, "that the man did not give you his name. He must have one, of course. Show him in." A minute later the stranger entered, and, bowing courteously, began the conversation at once. "Mr. Barnes, the famous detective, I believe?" said he. "My name is Barnes,

THE MONTEZUMA EMERALD "Is the Inspector in?" Mr. Barnes immediately recognized the voice, and turned to greet the speaker. The man was Mr. Leroy Mitchel's English valet. Contrary to all precedent and tradition, he did not speak in cockney dialect, not even stumbling over the proper distribution of the letter "h" throughout his vocabulary. That he was English, however, was apparent to the ear, because of a certain rather attractive accent, peculiar to his native island, and to the eye because of

A SINGULAR ABDUCTION Mr. Barnes was alone in his sanctum when an elderly gentleman of cultured manners was ushered in. The visitor sank into a seat and began his appeal at once. "Oh, Mr. Barnes," said he, "I am in great distress. I hardly dared to hope that assistance was possible until I met my friend, Mr. Leroy Mitchel. You know him?" Mr. Barnes assented with a smile. "Well," continued the old gentleman, "Mr. Mitchel said that you could surely assist me." "Certainly. I will do all that is in m

THE AZTEC OPAL " Mr. Mitchel ," began Mr. Barnes, after exchanging greetings, "I have called to see you upon a subject which I am sure will enlist your keenest interest, for several reasons. It relates to a magnificent jewel; it concerns your intimate friends; and it is a problem requiring the most analytical qualities of the mind in its solution." "Ah, then you have solved it?" asked Mr. Mitchel. "I think so. You shall judge. I have to-day been called in to investigate one of the most singular

THE DUPLICATE HARLEQUIN One day about two weeks after the unravelling of the mystery of the opal lost on board the yacht Idler , Mr. Barnes called upon Mr. Mitchel and was cordially received. "Glad to see you, Mr. Barnes. Anything stirring in the realm of crime?" "'Stirring' would be a fitting adjective, I think, Mr. Mitchel. Ever since the Idler affair I have occupied myself with a study of the problem, which I am convinced we have but partially solved. You may recall that you gave me a clue."

THE PEARLS OF ISIS Mr. Barnes sat for a while in silence, gazing at Mr. Mitchel. The masterly manner in which that gentleman had managed the affair throughout won his admiration and elevated him more than ever in his esteem. The dénouement was admirable. Before handing over the check Mr. Mitchel had led Mr. Livingstone to state in the presence of a concealed witness that the opal about to be sold was genuine, whereas, as a matter of fact, the one on the desk at that moment was spurious. Then the

A PROMISSORY NOTE Mr. Mitchel walked into the office of Mr. Barnes one afternoon as the clock struck two. "Here I am, Mr. Barnes," said he. "Your note asked me to be here at two, sharp. If your clock is right, I have answered your summons to the second." "You are punctuality itself, Mr. Mitchel. Sit down. I am in a good humor. I flatter myself that I have done a clever thing, and we are going to celebrate. See, there is a cold bottle, and a couple of glasses waiting your arrival." "You have done

A NOVEL FORGERY Mr. Barnes was wondering whether he would soon have a case which would require special mental effort in its solution. "Something that will make me think," was the way he phrased it to himself. The same idea had occupied him for some time. Not that he had been idle, but his "cases" had all been of such a nature that with a little supervision it had been safe to intrust them entirely to his subordinates. Nothing had occurred to compel his personal investigation. On this morning, ho

A FROSTY MORNING. [A] [A] Copyright by Short Story Publishing Company. Republished from the Black Cat , by permission. " Thank heaven, you have come," exclaimed Mr. Van Rawlston, as Mr. Mitchel entered. "I have a thousand pounds on my mind, and——" "Never heard of the disease," interrupted Mr. Mitchel. "If you consider mind and brain to be synonymous, the locality is popularly supposed to be inundated with water occasionally—but then, you mentioned a thousand pounds, and, a pound being a pint, we

A SHADOW OF PROOF ( Letter from Mr. Barnes to Mr. Mitchel ) " My dear Mr. Mitchel :— "I am leaving town in connection with a matter of considerable importance, and am thus compelled to abandon a little mystery unsolved. It is not a very serious case, yet it presents certain unique features which I fancy would make it attractive to you. I therefore take the liberty of relating to you the occurrence as it was told to me by the person who sought my aid, as well as such steps as have been taken by m