Chapter I: Preface: To the Kind People Who Read Our Books

I want to explain to you, in case it may interest you a little, why it is that I want to keep the "firm name" (as we used to call it) of "C. N. & A. M. Williamson," although my husband has gone out of this world.

It is because I feel very strongly that he helps me with the work even more than he was able to do in this world. I always had his advice, and when we took motor tours he gave me his notes to use as well as my own. But now there is far more help than that. I cannot explain in words: I can only feel. And because of that feeling, I could not bear to have the "C. N." disappear from the title page.

Dear People who may read this, I hope that you will wish to see the initials "C. N." with those of

A. M. WILLIAMSON

CONTENTS

BOOK I. THE YACHT

I. DOWN AND OUT

II. UP AND IN

III. THUNDERBOLT SIX

IV. THE BLACK THING IN THE SEA

V. WHAT I FOUND IN MY CABIN

VI. THE WOMAN OF THE PAST

VII. THE SECRET BEHIND THE SILENCE

VIII. THE GREAT SURPRISE

IX. THE GAME OF BLUFF

BOOK II. THE HOUSE WITH THE TWISTED CHIMNEY

I. THE SHELL-SHOCK MAN

II. THE ADVERTISEMENT

III. THE LETTER WITH THE PURPLE SEAL

IV. THE TANGLED WEB

V. THE KNITTING WOMAN OF DUN MOAT

VI. THE LIGHTNING STROKE

VII. THE RED BAIZE DOOR

VIII. "WHEN IN DOUBT, PLAY A TRUMP"

IX. THE RAT TRAP

BOOK III. THE DARK VEIL

I. THE GIRL WITH THE LETTER

II. THE HERMIT

III. THE CHAIR AT THE SAVOY

IV. THE SPIRIT OF JUNE

V. THE BARGAIN

VI. THE LAST SEANCE

BOOK IV. THE MYSTERY OF MRS. BRANDRETH

I. THE MAN IN THE CUSHIONED CHAIR

II. MRS. BRANDRETH

III. THE CONDITION SHE MADE

IV. THE OLD LOVE STORY

V. THE MAN WITH THE BRILLIANT EYES

VI. THE PICTURES

VII. SIR BEVERLEY'S IMPRESSIONS

VIII. WHILE WE WAITED

IX. THE GOOD NEWS

X. THE CLIMAX

XI. WHAT GABY TOLD

XII. THE WOMAN IN THE THEATRE

XIII. MRS. BRANDRETH'S STORY

THE BRIGHTENER