Babylon Revisited Rare Books
About the author: I could not find any biographical information on Stuart Martin. Goodreads incorrectly combines his works with that of a contemporary author of children's books by the same name.
About the editions: This was first published as a Harper Sealed Mystery (green binding), which contained a green tissue seal over the denouément beginning on page 269; which proclaimed "...if you can resist the desire to be present at the ultimate trial of Scotland Yard, return this book to your bookseller with the seal unbroken, and your money will be refunded." It was reprinted by Collier Front Page Mysteries (red binding), as part of its 1930 third series (minus the seal). This reprint edition is more widely available.
Locale: London and environs
Synopsis: Scotland Yard has a problem. The Earl of Bowcame has received a death threat, even specifying the date and time it will occur. Seven Scotland Yard officials decide this murder will be a 'trial of Scotland Yard', and they need the best of all detectives to prevent it. They set up interviews with ten members of the Club of Hidden Clues (detection enthusiasts) to find the best one. Each applicant is invited in to tell an example of their crime solving experience, and some are tested by being assigned to current cases.
Each interview comprises a chapter, having the title stating "The Problem of...", and the applicant's story, a subtitled "The Clue of...".
- Chapter II (The Problem of the C.I.D): The applicant relates The Clue of the Vanished Murderer: A robber is on a train with a jeweler's assistant, who is carrying a box of jewels. The robber holds him up, and the assistant tosses the box out the train window; getting shot for his efforts.
- Chapter III (The Problem of Daniel Bream): The applicant relates The Clue of the Impossible Arrest: Daniel Bream, an American, is arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct in a theatre. While he sleeps it off in a cell, his neighbor, Jeremy Stalker, a jewel cutter, has been held up in his home by a thief looking for a precious red ruby.
- Chapter IV (The Problem of the Unofficial Detective): The applicant relates The Clue of Supressed Justice: Mr. & Mrs. Mark Belew have some valuables stolen from their home. As the thief escapes, he is accosted by neighbor Henry Lattimer, who is shot and injured for his trouble. The police find evidence against the maid, Jose Dollow, but the applicant urges the police to not serve their warrant on her.
- Chapter V (The Problem of the Insurance-Detective): The applicant relates The Clue of the Darkened Room: A fabulous gem, the Toltec Emerald, is believed to be cursed. It is currently owned by Sir Joseph Mulligan. During a house party, the lights go out, and the emerald stolen. The former owner of the emerald, Theodore Serrat, is found hanged.
- Chapter VI (The Problem of the Dumb Tramp): The applicant relates The Clue of the Dorking Raphael: Art expert Frederick Borrowdale has a rare Raphael painting, and also a fine imitation. His house is broken into and a thief seen spiriting away one of them. Borrowdale is found stabbed. A tramp found on the property is detained and questioned, but being nonverbal, can only relate his story using sign language.
- Chapter VII (The Problem of the Flying Squad): The applicant relates The Clue on the Door Peg: Actress Ellen Tasker is in a play in which - to attract audiences - the producer has her wear a £50,000 necklace. Ellen is in a car accident and the necklace cannot be found in the burned-out car. Was it really an accident?
- Chapter VIII (The Problem of the Inefficient Detective): The applicant relates The Clue That Was Overlooked: Stoppford Boltner and Francis Jerrold run into trouble on their way home from an illicit gambling den. Boltner is stabbed and his winnings taken, and he accuses Jerrold with his dying breath.
- Chapter IX (The Problem of the Big Four): The applicant relates The Clue of the Hunchbacked Beggar: Stock market worker Abraham Kirkby gets on a train and just disappears. His house is found ransacked, and the only clue is a hunchbacked beggar has been seen peeking in the windows.
- Chapter X (The Problem of the Silent Detective): The applicant relates The Clue of the Slow Wink: A dishonest valet stages a little theft, casting himself as the hero, in order to prevent suspicion when he stages the big one yet to come. A unique twist is that the applicant never speaks to present his case.
- Chapter XI (The Problem of the Consulting Specialist): The applicant relates The Clue of the White Red Rose: A gold-digging wife has a long-term plan. Husband #1 dies, leaving her a lavish house, husband #2 dies leaving her wealth, but when husband #3 dies, things begin to unravel.
- Chapter XII (The Problem of the Noble Earl): subtitled The Clue of the Police Pass: All the interviews are complete and less than 24 hours remain before the threatened murder of the Earl. The Scotland Yard officials are getting organized to protect him when a new wrinkle occurs: a note stating the Earl's jewels will be stolen that very day.
Each story has a unique twist, some of which are fresh and intriguing. Not all are murders - some are thefts or disappearances;. They remind me of the short Sherlock Holmes stories, both in length and variety.
Each chapter has a number and a "problem of ..." title, and each corresponding solution has a "clue of ..." subtitle. It would be clearer if the same title were used for both problem and solution, it is a bit confusing to relate the chapter headings titles to the individual story subtitles; and easy to get lost if you are looking for a specific story.
It is best to read them in order, as some refer back to earlier ones; although each story has its own cast of characters.
It is interesting that the applicants are encouraged to relate a story of a failure if they wish - and indeed, several do. At least the interviewers did not resort to "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Taking a story per night, this book makes great bedtime reading for twelve nights!
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