Originally published in 1932, this mystery holds the distinction of being the only offering from the prolific pen of Major Street under the Miles Burton pseudonym - apart from his very first outing The Hardway Diamonds Mystery - which does not feature Desmond Merrion or Inspector Arnold. Although the latter is contacted by phone on a couple of occasions, it is his professional colleagues in the police force of major seaport Clumberton who carry out the inquiry into the murder of a Mr. Gregory, found dead in the study of his remote villa with a discharged gun nearby but without a mark on his body except a small scratch on his cheek.

Superintendent Yardley and Inspector Caldwell of the local force hold differing opinions on the mystery, which is complicated by the discovery of the dead body of the victim’s dog, a set of darts scattered about the premises, and the complex relations between Gregory, his daughter, and his partner in business. Added to the mix are the complication of Gregory’s infatuation with a local barmaid who benefits from a recently drawn codicil to his will and the activities of a mysterious stranger to the district.
>[From the Golden Age of Detection Wiki]