"Suspect? I'm the Least Suspicious Man Alive. I'm Merely Being Tidy."

IT'S that joyous, festive season again, the perfect time for . . .

"Death on the Air."

By Ngaio Marsh (1895-1982; Wikipedia HERE; the GAD Wiki HERE; Mike Grost's megasite HERE; and the IMDb HERE) with technical advice from A. Drummond Sharpe.

First appearance: The Grand Magazine, February 1937.

Many reprints:

  Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine #50, January 1948

  Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (Australia) #32, February 1950

  Ellery Queen’s Anthology #16, 1969

  Ellery Queen’s Mystery Jackpot, 1970

  Grande Dames of Detection, 1973

  Masterpieces of Mystery: The Grand Masters Up to Date, 1979

  Murder for Christmas, 1982 (covered in a review HERE)

  Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Mid-December 1984 (today's text)

  Masterpieces of Mystery and Suspense, 1988

  English Country House Murders, 1988

  Murder for Christmas Volume II, 1988

  The Collected Short Fiction of Ngaio Marsh, 1989

  The Oxford Book of English Detective Stories, 1990

  The Collected Short Fiction of Ngaio Marsh (var. 1), 1991

  'Death on the Air' and Other Stories, 1995

  Murder Under the Christmas Tree, 2016

  A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries, 2020

  Classic Christmas Crime Stories, 2023.

Novelette (26 pages).

Online at Archive.org (HERE; go to text page 120).

   "On the 25th of December at seven thirty A.M. Mr. Septimus Tonks was found dead beside his wireless set."

CHIEF DETECTIVE-INSPECTOR Roderick Alleyn and his crack detective team solve the HOW of this one three ways from Sunday—but as for the WHO and the WHY, that's going to take a little longer . . .

Principal characters:

~ Septimus Tonks (deceased), Emily Parks, Chase, Mr. Hislop, Guy Tonks, Dr. Meadows, Arthur, Phillipa, Isabel Tonks, Chief Detective-Inspector Roderick Alleyn, Inspector Fox, Curtis, and Detective-Sergeant Bailey. 

References:

- "his wireless set":

  Universally known as "radio" nowadays. Septimus was probably listening to the BBC at the time of his . . . departure.

  "The British Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on 1 January 1927, and Reith – newly knighted – was appointed its first director general. To represent its purpose and (stated) values, the new corporation adopted the coat of arms, including the motto 'Nation shall speak peace unto Nation.'

  "British radio audiences had little choice apart from BBC's programming approach. Reith was viewed as taking a moralistic approach as an executive, aiming to broadcast 'all that is best in every department of human knowledge, endeavour and achievement,' and putting the programming in moral or ethical terms, advocating 'a high moral tone' as 'obviously of paramount importance.' Reith succeeded in building a high wall against a more tabloid, free-for-all in radio aimed at merely attracting the largest audience (and advertising revenue). There was no paid advertising on the BBC; all the revenue came from a tax on receiving sets. Highbrow audiences, however, greatly enjoyed it." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "Galvanized":

  "Galvanization (also spelled galvanisation) is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron, to prevent rusting. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing, in which the parts are coated by submerging them in a bath of hot, molten zinc." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "If it's electrocution":

  "Electrocution is death or severe injury caused by electric shock from electric current passing through the body. The word is derived from 'electro' and 'execution,' but it is also used for accidental death.

  "The term 'electrocution' was coined in 1889 in the US just before the first use of the electric chair and originally referred to only electrical execution and not other electrical deaths. However, since no English word was available for non-judicial deaths due to electric shock, the word 'electrocution' eventually took over as a description of all circumstances of electrical death from the new commercial electricity." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "tuning his hurdy-gurdy":

  Alleyn is speaking metaphorically, of course.

  "The hurdy-gurdy is a string instrument that produces sound by means of a hand-cranked rosined wheel which rubs against the strings. The wheel functions much like a violin (or nyckelharpa) bow, and single notes played on the instrument sound similar to those of a violin. Melodies are played on a keyboard that presses tangents—small wedges, typically made of wood or metal—against one or more of the strings to change their pitch. Like most other acoustic stringed instruments, it has a sound board and hollow cavity to make the vibration of the strings audible." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "turned his torch":

  We colonials call it a "flashlight."

  "A flashlight (North American English) or electric torch (Commonwealth English), usually shortened to torch, is a portable hand-held electric lamp. Formerly, the light source typically was a miniature incandescent light bulb, but these have been displaced by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) since the early 2000s. A typical flashlight consists of the light source mounted in a reflector, a transparent cover (sometimes combined with a lens) to protect the light source and reflector, a battery, and a switch, all enclosed in a case.

  "The invention of the dry cell and miniature incandescent electric lamps made the first battery-powered flashlights possible around 1899." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "Like Dr. Johnson perhaps?":

  From childhood, Samuel Johnson struggled with money problems. See Wikipedia (HERE).

- "Bakelite knobs":

  "Bakelite was one of the first plastic-like materials to be introduced into the modern world and was popular because it could be molded and then hardened into any shape.

  "Because of its electrical nonconductivity and heat-resistant properties, it became a great commercial success. It was used in electrical insulators, radio and telephone casings, and such diverse products as kitchenware, jewelry, pipe stems, children's toys, and firearms." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "The odd wisp of blotting paper":

  "Blotting paper is a highly absorbent type of paper used to absorb ink or oil from writing material, particularly when quills or fountain pens were popular. It could also be used in testing how much oil is present in products. Blotting paper referred to as bibulous paper is mainly used in microscopy to remove excess liquids from the slide before viewing. Blotting paper has also been sold as a cosmetic to aid in the removal of skin oils and makeup." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "perhaps it was D.T.'s":

  "Delirium tremens (DTs; lit. 'mental disturbance with shaking') is a rapid onset of confusion caused by withdrawal from alcohol. DT typically occurs 48–72 hours after the last use of alcohol and symptoms last 1–8 days. Typical symptoms include nightmares, confusion, disorientation, heavy sweating, elevated heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. Visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations are also common. DT can be fatal, especially without treatment." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "the Radio Times":

  "Radio Times is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in September 1923 by John Reith, then general manager of the British Broadcasting Company, it was the world's first broadcast listings magazine. In September 2023 it became the first broadcast listings magazine to reach and then pass its centenary." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "Heavier flex from adapter to radiator":

  "A power cord, line cord, or mains cable is an electrical cable that temporarily connects an appliance to the mains electricity supply via a wall socket or extension cord. The terms are generally used for cables using a power plug to connect to a single-phase alternating current power source at the local line voltage (generally 100 to 240 volts, depending on the location). The terms power cable, mains lead, flex or kettle lead are also used. A lamp cord (also known as a zip cord) is a light-weight, ungrounded, single-insulated two-wire cord used for small loads such as a table or floor lamp." (Wikipedia HERE.)

Resources:

- About this story, Mike Grost writes:

  "'Death on the Air' (1939) is a short story concentrating on a 'death-trap' that kills a victim. In this it recalls Overture to Death (1939). The trap in 'Death on the Air' is so technological that the story qualifies as Scientific Detection. Marsh goes into detail about the trap, showing the police gradually reconstructing how it works, a step-by-step process that involves observation of clues and detailed analysis. Marsh also offers a detailed account of the killer's activities setting the trap up." (A Guide to Classic Mystery and Detection HERE.)

- Over the years another supersleuth, Hercule Poirot, encountered several Christmas bafflements, including a locked room problem (HERE).

- Ngaio Marsh's Overture to Death caught our attention twelve years ago (HERE).

The bottom line:

A powerful medium in its heyday.

Unless otherwise noted, all bibliographical data are derived from The FictionMags Index created by William G. Contento & edited by Phil Stephensen-Payne.

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"Home for the Holidays"

"Home for the Holidays."

By Douglas Shimizu (ISFDb HERE).

A poem (1 page).

First appearance: Polar Borealis, May 2022.

Online (HERE; go to page 18).

   "How did I get on the naughty list?"

Sometimes it's all too easy.

Resources:

- Here is Douglas Shimizu's FictionMags list (pm = poem; ss = short story):

• Special Delivery, (pm) Polar Borealis April 2020
• Floater, (pm) Polar Borealis September/October 2020
• Blues, (pm) Polar Borealis May 2021
• The Experiment, (pm) Polar Borealis August/September 2021
• Rocketman Down, (pm) Polar Starlight October 2021
• Home for the Holidays, (pm) Polar Borealis May 2022
• Timelines, (pm) Polar Starlight May 2023
• Hometown Retreat, (ss) Polar Borealis January/February 2024
• Cheese Ball, (pm) Polar Borealis July/August 2024.

The bottom line:

Unless otherwise noted, all bibliographical data are derived from The FictionMags Index created by William G. Contento & edited by Phil Stephensen-Payne.

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"It's a Sort of Miracle"

"On Christmas Day in the Morning."

By Margery Allingham (1904-66; Wikipedia HERE; the SFE HERE; A Guide to Classic Mystery and Detection HERE; Fadedpage HERE; The Strand Magazine HERE; and the IMDb HERE.)

First appearance: The Evening Standard, December 23, 1950.

Reprinted in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine #110, January 1953 (today's text).

Other reprints:

  Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (Australia) #69, March 1953

  Christmas Ghosts, 1978

  Mystery for Christmas, 1990

  Merry Murder, 1994

  Murder Most Merry, 2002

  Murder on Christmas Eve, 2017

  A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries, 2020.

Short short story (8 pages).

Online at Archive.org (HERE; go to page 3).

   "Besides,” he eyed them angrily, “fancy killing a poor old postman on Christmas morning! That’s inhuman, isn’t it? Unnatural."

THE reason for the poor old postman's demise might, or might not, be known to a sweet little old lady. Mr. Campion investigates . . .

Principal characters:

~ Sir Leo Pursuivant, Albert Campion, Superintendent Bussy, Fred Noakes, the village Constable, and Mrs. Fyson.

Reference:

- "'On Christmas day in the morning!' he quoted bitterly":

  The most modern version of this traditional Christmas carol, known as "I Saw Three Ships," dates from 1833:

  I saw three ships come sailing in

⁠   On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

  I saw three ships come sailing in

   ⁠On Christmas day in the morning.

  (Wikipedia HERE.)

Resources:

- Other Margery Allingham encounters: The Fashion in Shrouds review (HERE); "The Unseen Door" (HERE); "They Never Get Caught" (HERE); and Dancers in Mourning reviews (HERE).

The bottom line:

Unless otherwise noted, all bibliographical data are derived from The FictionMags Index created by William G. Contento & edited by Phil Stephensen-Payne.

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"That Means That We're Back to the Classics: Motive, Means, and Opportunity"

IF Charles Dickens could people his Christmas Carol with a bunch of out-of-this world manifestations—you know, ghosts and spirits—then why couldn't a latter-day fantasist 

do a Yuletide yarn with . . . wait for it . . . werewolves?

"Bait and Switch."

By Ryk E. Spoor (born 1962; Wikipedia HERE; the ISFDb HERE; and the SFE HERE).

Part of the Digital Knight Universe (ISFDb HERE).

First appearance: The Baen Free Library, 2014.

Reprints page (ISFDb HERE).

Novelette (17 pages as a PDF).

Online at The Baen Free Library (HERE; click Next to get to the Table of Contents).

Chapter 1: Decked in the Halls

Chapter 2: Scene of a Crime

Chapter 3: Images of Fear

Chapter 4: Almost Answers

Chapter 5: Family and Friends

Chapter 6: Night Before Christmas

Chapter 7: Denouement

Chapter 8: Season's Greetings.

   "Splashes of crimson and red-brown sprayed high and wide all around the formerly white and aqua-painted room, radiating out from and pointing towards the grotesque figure sprawled in a huge office chair."

TWO individuals die, apparently trying to kill each other. Notice that we say "apparently," because even though the whole thing is on videotape, a sharp police consultant doubts, in this case, that seeing is believing. And there are larger ramifications for an uneasy peace between humans and . . . let's call them nonhumans . . . which justifies our sleuth's premonition: "This was a trainwreck any way I look at it, and it'll be worse by the time it's over, I think."

Main characters:

~ Syl, Jason Wood (the narrator), Jeri Winthrope, Hansen Guildermere, Cheney Lugosi, Vernon Guildermere, Meredith Guildermere, Adam Brown, Felicia Santos, Dan Mason, Peri Crane, Verne, Morgan, Camillus, and Virigar.

References:

- "Werewolf":

  "In folklore, a werewolf (from Old English werwulf 'man-wolf'), or occasionally lycanthrope (from Ancient Greek λυκάνθρωπος 'wolf-human'), is an individual who can shapeshift into a wolf or therianthropic hybrid wolf–humanlike creature, either voluntarily or involuntarily due to a curse or other affliction." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "Pressurized liquid with silver suspension":

  "Werewolves are often depicted as immune to damage caused by ordinary weapons, being vulnerable only to silver objects, such as a silver-tipped cane, bullet or blade; this attribute was first adopted cinematically in The Wolf Man. This negative reaction to silver is sometimes so strong that the mere touch of the metal on a werewolf's skin will cause burns. Current-day werewolf fiction almost exclusively involves lycanthropy being either a hereditary condition or transmitted like an infectious disease by the bite of another werewolf." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "Cheney [sic] Lugosi":

  Two world-famous horror actors in one.

  "Chaney Jr. was then given the title role in The Wolf Man (1941) for Universal, a role which, much like Karloff's Frankenstein monster, would largely typecast Chaney as a horror film actor for the rest of his life." (Wikipedia HERE.)

  "Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó (1882–1956), better known by the stage name Bela Lugosi, was a Hungarian–American actor. He was best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the horror film classic Dracula (1931), Ygor in Son of Frankenstein (1939) and his roles in many other horror films from 1931 through 1956." (Wikipedia HERE.)

Photograph by Eliot Porter

- "a small Ichabod Crane":

  "Ichabod Crane is a fictional character and the protagonist in Washington Irving's short story 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.' Crane is portrayed in the original work, and in most adaptations, as a tall, lanky individual. He is the local schoolmaster, and strongly believes in all things supernatural, including the legend of the Headless Horseman." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "the CFO":

  "A chief financial officer (CFO) is an officer of a company or organization who is assigned the primary responsibility for making decisions for the company for projects and its finances; i.e.: financial planning, management of financial risks, record-keeping, and financial reporting, and, increasingly, the analysis of data. The CFO thus has ultimate authority over the finance unit and is the chief financial spokesperson for the organization." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "a nonprofit institution":

  "A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization (NFPO), or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental legal entity that operates for a collective, public, or social benefit, rather than to generate profit for private owners. Nonprofit organisations are subject to a non-distribution constraint, meaning that any revenue exceeding expenses must be used to further the organization’s purpose" (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "what was it Sherlock Holmes said? A few suggestive facts, but nothing conclusive":

  If he did say it, we'd like to know where.

- "Most people don't lucid dream at all":

  "In the psychology subfield of oneirology, a lucid dream is a type of dream wherein the dreamer realizes that they are dreaming during their dream. The capacity to have and sustain lucid dreams is a trainable cognitive skill. During a lucid dream, the dreamer may gain some amount of volitional control over the dream characters, narrative, or environment, although this control of dream content is not the salient feature of lucid dreaming." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "anaphylactic shock":

  "Anaphylaxis is a serious, potentially fatal allergic reaction and medical emergency that is rapid in onset and requires immediate medical attention regardless of the availability of on-site treatments while not under medical care." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "The purloined letter principle":

  "Dupin is not a professional detective. In 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue,' Dupin takes the case for amusement and refuses a financial reward. In 'The Purloined Letter,' however, Dupin undertakes the case for financial gain and personal revenge. He is not motivated by pursuing truth, emphasized by the lack of information about the contents of the purloined letter. Dupin's innovative method to solve the mystery is by trying to identify with the criminal. The minister and Dupin have equally matched minds, combining skills of mathematician and poet, and their battle of wits is threatened to end in stalemate. Dupin wins because of his moral strength: the minister is 'unprincipled,' a blackmailer who obtains power by exploiting the weakness of others." (WARNING! SPOILERS! Wikipedia HERE.)

Resources:

- Here, so far, is Ryk E. Spoor's Digital Knight Universe:

  Digital Knight, 2003 (novel; online HERE)

  "Bait and Switch", 2014 (novelette; above)

  Paradigms Lost, 2014 (novel; described HERE)

  Legend, 2019 (novel; listed HERE).

The author also has at least one Sherlock Holmes story to his credit:

  "The Adventure of the Reluctant Detective," 2017 (novelette; listed HERE).

The bottom line:

Unless otherwise noted, all bibliographical data are derived from The FictionMags Index created by William G. Contento & edited by Phil Stephensen-Payne.

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"I Fear This Is Going To Be a Five-pipe Problem"

"The Adventure of the Ascot Tie."

By Robert L. Fish (1912-81; Wikipedia HERE and the IMDb HERE and HERE).

Schlock Homes No. 1.

First appearance: Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, February 1960.

Short story (9 pages).

Online at Archive.org (HERE; go to page 82).

(Note: Parts of the top of pages 85 and 87 are smudged but interpretable.)

   "I believe I can honestly say, without false modesty, that there are few in this world who could hope to baffle me with a cipher or code."

HOMES'S boast about being an unequalled code breaker is put to the test when an anxious young woman conveys her fears that her uncle might be involved with criminals. As always with Homes, dealing with the criminal element is merely element-ary . . .

Principal characters:

~ Homes, Watney, Miss Wimpole, and Mr. Jno. Wimpole.

The Moment When It All Becomes Clear (usually, anyway):

  At once the devilish cleverness of the entire business burst upon my brain.

References:

- "an addict of side-saddle riding":

  "Sidesaddle riding is a form of equestrianism that uses a type of saddle that allows riders, generally female, to sit aside rather than astride an equine. Sitting aside dates back to antiquity and developed in European countries in the Middle Ages as a way for women in skirts to ride a horse modestly." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "the British museum":

  "The British Museum is a public museum dedicated to human history, art and culture located in the Bloomsbury area of London. Its permanent collection of eight million works is the largest in the world. It documents the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. Established in 1753, the British Museum was the first public national museum." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "the Rossetti Stone":

  "The Rosetta Stone is a stele of granodiorite inscribed with three versions of a decree issued in 196 BC during the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, on behalf of King Ptolemy V Epiphanes. The top and middle texts are in Ancient Egyptian using hieroglyphic and Demotic scripts, respectively, while the bottom is in Ancient Greek. The decree has only minor differences across the three versions, making the Rosetta Stone key to deciphering the Egyptian scripts." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "applying benzidrine hypochloric colloid solution":

  Homes successfully using this chemical compound in a forensic investigation is highly unlikely.

  "The drug’s popularity skyrocketed. During World War II, soldiers used amphetamine to help them stay awake, have mental focus, and prevent fatigue. By 1945, estimates show more than 13 million tablets of amphetamine were produced a month in the United States. This was enough amphetamine for half a million people to take Benzedrine each day. This widespread use helped fuel its misuse. The risk of dependence wasn’t well understood yet." (Healthline HERE.)

- "originally developed by Tutankhamen":

  "Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered in 1922 by excavators led by Howard Carter and his patron, George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Although it had clearly been raided and robbed in ancient times, it retained much of its original contents, including the king's undisturbed mummy. The discovery received worldwide press coverage; with over 5,000 artifacts, it gave rise to renewed public interest in ancient Egypt, for which Tutankhamun's mask, preserved at the Egyptian Museum, remains a popular symbol." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "at Albert Hall":

  "Since the hall's opening by Queen Victoria in 1871, the world's leading artists from many performance genres have appeared on its stage." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "Whos On First":

  "'Who's on First?' is a comedy routine made famous by American comedy duo Abbott and Costello. The premise of the sketch is that Abbott is identifying the players on a baseball team for Costello. However, the players' names can simultaneously serve as the basis for questions (e.g., 'Who is the first baseman?') and responses (e.g., 'The first baseman's name is Who.'), leading to reciprocal misunderstanding and growing frustration between the performers. Although it is commonly known as 'Who's on First?', Abbott and Costello frequently referred to it simply as 'Baseball'." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "the second race at Ascot":

  "The racecourse has been used for filming many times – most notably three times in James Bond productions, the first being in A View to a Kill (1985), where Bond (played for the last time by Roger Moore) was beginning his mission to defeat Max Zorin (Christopher Walken), whose horse was racing there. The racecourse was used again in Skyfall (2012) where it stood in for Shanghai Pudong International Airport." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- "my old friend Inspector Queen":

  Any idea who that would be?

- "the last shall be first":

  From Matthew 20:16. (Full quote at King James Bible Online HERE.)

- "a touting scheme"; "a bookmaker":

  "In the sports betting world, a tout is someone who sells picks of winners against the spread and the over/under. Most touts are scam artists and most don't have a long term winning record." (Wikipedia HERE and HERE.)

Resources:

- It's not surprising that quite a few mysteries revolve around cryptology; see "Brush Up Your Vigenere" (HERE).

- The inhabitants of 212B Beagle Street also encounter their own disturbing difficulties (HERE) and (HERE).

- Hugh Kingsmill had the gall to pit Holmes and Watson against Raffles and Bunny (HERE).

- And let's not forget the unforgettable forgotten case of The Shropshire Slasher (HERE).

- Robert L. Fish's involvement with Jack London's unfinished novel The Assassination Bureau, Ltd., resulted in (THIS).

- Here's the complete FictionMags list for Robert L. Fish's Schlock Homes saga (nv = novelette; ss = short story):

  "The Adventure of the Ascot Tie," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, February 1960 (above)

  "The Adventure of the Printer’s Inc.," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, May 1960

  "The Adventure of the Adam Bomb," (nv) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, September 1960

  "The Adventure of the Spectacled Band," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, November 1960

  "The Adventure of the Stockbroker’s Clark," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, March 1961

  "The Adventure of the Missing Cheyne-Stroke," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, August 1961

  "The Adventure of the Artist’s Mottle," (nv) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, November 1961

  "The Adventure of the Double-Bogey Man," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, February 1962

  "The Adventure of the Missing Prince," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, July 1962 (a.k.a. "The Adventure of the Lost Prince")

  "The Adventure of the Counterfeit Sovereign," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, June 1963

  "The Adventure of the Snared Drummer," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, September 1963

  "The Adventure of the Final Problem," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, February 1964

  "The Return of Schlock Homes," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, June 1964

  "The Adventure of the Big Plunger," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, February 1965

  "The Adventure of the Widow’s Weeds," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, August 1966

  "The Adventure of the Perforated Ulster," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, February 1967

  "The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarters," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, September 1967

  "The Adventure of the Disappearance of Whistler’s Mother," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, February 1968

  "The Adventure of the Dog in the Knight," (nv) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, February 1970

  "The Adventure of the Briary School," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, February 1973

  "The Adventure of the Hansom Ransom," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, May 1973

  "The Adventure of the Great Train Robbery," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, April 1974

  "The Adventure of Black, Peter," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, July 1974

  "The Adventure of the Odd Lotteries," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, July 1975

  "The Adventure of the Elite Type," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, July 1977

  "The Adventure of the Animal Fare," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, October 1977

  "The Adventure of the Common Code," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, September 1979

  "The Adventure of the Patient Resident," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, February 11, 1980

  "The Adventure of the Belles Letters," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, June 30, 1980

  "The Adventure of the Short Fuse," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, August 18, 1980

  "The Adventure of the Ukrainian Foundling Orphans," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, January 28, 1981

  "The Adventure of the Pie-Eyed Piper," (ss) Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, June 17, 1981.

NOTE: All of these stories were collected in Schlock Homes: The Complete Bagel Street Saga in 1990.

The bottom line:

Unless otherwise noted, all bibliographical data are derived from The FictionMags Index created by William G. Contento & edited by Phil Stephensen-Payne.

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"You Are Charged with Breaking System Policy Rule Number 86, Subhead C, of the General Code of Time Travel"

HERE we have a clever take on a legend that has been so persistent that even Walt Disney made a full-length animated film about it. As you read the story, it should become clear fairly quickly which legend that is; you might also want to consider why it's called . . .

"Justice."

By J. F. Hutton (1912-81) (ISFDb HERE).

First appearance: Fantastic Universe, March 1956.

Short short story (7 pages as a PDF).

Online at Project Gutenberg (HERE).

   "When did any of you ever travel in time? You sit here in the splendor of your logic—mental and physical light-years away from the event. You can’t conceive how crude and disorganized those days were. Do you think it’s easy to enter a world like that? It takes all the skill and care and self-discipline you can command. And no man who ever lived could exercise the control the manuals call for."

WE can all agree that it's possible for someone to do the wrong thing for the right reason and, conversely, do the right thing for the wrong reason, but without intending to Urs has found a way to do the right thing for no particular reason at all . . .

Main characters:

~ Urs, the Chairman of the Policy Board, Renar, and Morrey.

References:

- "the rock and the sword so impossibly fixed in it":

  "After the King of England, Uther Pendragon, dies without an heir to his throne, a sword magically appears inside an anvil atop a stone, with an inscription proclaiming that whoever removes it will be the future king. Many have unsuccessfully attempted to remove the sword, and the sword becomes forgotten, leaving England in the Dark Ages.

  ". . . At the tournament, Arthur realizes he left Kay's sword at the inn. It is closed for the tournament, but Archimedes sees the 'Sword in the Stone,' which Arthur removes almost effortlessly, unknowingly fulfilling the prophecy. When Arthur returns with the sword, Ector recognizes it and the tournament is halted. Ector places the sword back in its anvil, demanding Arthur prove that he pulled it. Kay suggests that anyone can pull it once it's been pulled, but they soon find out that it is as stuck as ever. Arthur pulls it once again, revealing that he is England's rightful king . . ." (Wikipedia HERE.)

  "When Kay is ready to be knighted, Sir Ector and his retinue travel to London, where he owns some property. As Kay approaches the tournament field, he realizes that he has left his sword back at the inn. Wart is sent back to retrieve it, but finds the inn locked. He finds a sword stuck in an anvil atop a stone in a churchyard. When Wart touches the sword, his senses heighten. He is unable to pull it out, but as he tries again, the voices of all the animals and friends he has made give him encouragement and remind him of the lessons they taught him. On the third try, the sword comes loose, and Wart rushes to Kay with it." (Wikipedia HERE.)

- King Arthur:

  "King Arthur (Welsh: Brenin Arthur; Cornish: Arthur Gernow; Breton: Roue Arzhur; French: Roi Arthur) was a legendary king of Britain. He is a folk hero and a central figure in the medieval literary tradition known as the Matter of Britain.

  ". . . The themes, events and characters of the Arthurian legend vary widely from text to text, and there is no one canonical version. Arthurian literature thrived during the Middle Ages but waned in the following centuries until it experienced a major resurgence in the 19th century. In the 21st century the legend continues to have prominence, not only in literature but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics and other media." (Wikipedia HERE.) 

Resources:

- The FictionMags thumbnail about J(oy) F(erris) Hutton: "He graduated from University of California; short story writer."

- Here is FictionMags's story list for J. F. Hutton (ss = short story; vi = vignette; na = novella):

  "Death Warrant," (ss) Thrilling Detective, August 1940

  "Good Neighbor," (ss) Double Detective, September 1940

  "Short-Cut," (ss) Detective Fiction Weekly, March 29, 1941

  "The Gimp’s Last Ride," (ss) Detective Tales, April 1942

  "Time to Retire," (ss) Detective Tales, November 1942

  "God from a Machine," (ss) Esquire, April 1943 (online HERE)

  "Strange Rendezvous," (vi) The American Magazine, July 1943

  "Three Days to Howl," (ss) New Detective Magazine, May 1944 (online HERE)

  "The White Cat," (ss) The Phantom Detective, June 1945

  "Seller of Souls," (na) Two Complete Detective Books #55, March 1949

  "The Bad Samaritan," (ss) Esquire, May 1951 (online HERE)

  "Justice," (ss) Fantastic Universe, March 1956 (above).

The bottom line:

Unless otherwise noted, all bibliographical data are derived from The FictionMags Index created by William G. Contento & edited by Phil Stephensen-Payne.

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Comic Crime

AS YOU probably already know, comic books didn't confine themselves only to graphic arts; a lot of them inserted very short text stories as well. Here are seven of them from those controversial crime comics of the Fifties, a few of which are of the perfect crime variety:

(1) "Be Careful, Killer!"

By Ric(hard White) Hasse (1916-94).

First appearance: Crime Smashers No. 5, July 1951.

Short short short story (2 pages).

Online at Comic Book Plus (HERE; go to page 26).

(Note: Faded but readable text.)

   "'Uncle Linton paid for that library,' he said aloud to himself, 'and now it's furnishing Uncle Linton's only nephew with a perfect alibi for the time of Uncle Linton's murder'."

Resources:

- Ric Hasse produced a good deal of short pulp fiction outside of the comics. Here's the FictionMags list for him (ss = short story):

 "The Merry Wives of Murder," (ss) Big-Book Detective Magazine, April 1942

 "Cupid Has Nine Lives," (ss) Gay Love Stories, December 1942

 "You Can’t Hang a Corpse," (ss) Thrilling Detective, March 1943

 "No Rest for the Wicked," (ss) Mammoth Detective, October 1946

 "Nitro at Midnight," (ss) 10-Story Detective Magazine, November 1946

 "I’ll Never Die Again," (ss) Ten Detective Aces, December 1946

 "Claim Your Own Dead," (ss) 10-Story Detective Magazine, January 1947

 "Too Old to Die," (ss) Ten Detective Aces, February 1947

 "Whistle While You Slay," (ss) 10-Story Detective Magazine, July 1947

 "Death Lights the Way," (ss) Thrilling Detective, October 1947

 "An Empire Crashes," (ss) Street & Smith’s Detective Story Magazine, October 1947

 "Frame for a Flatfoot," (ss) Ten Detective Aces, November 1947

 "Suicide Swag," (ss) 10-Story Detective Magazine, February 1948

 "Too Dumb to Live," (ss) 10-Story Detective Magazine, October 1948

 "Not by Blood Alone," (ss) Dime Detective Magazine, January 1950

 "Two Must Die!," (ss) New Detective Magazine, March 1950

 "Time to Throw Lead," (ss) Blazing Guns Western Story Magazine #3, February 1957.

(2) "Beast of Crime."

Unsigned.

First appearance: Crime-Fighting Detective No. 18, March 1952.

Short short short story (1 page).

Online at Comic Book Plus (HERE; go to page 23).

(Note: Text faded but legible.)

   "Midnight doesn't eat much and one never knows when a cat will come in handy."

(3) "Pattern for Murder."

Unsigned.

First appearance: Crime-Fighting Detective No. 18, March 1952.

Short short short story (1 page).

Online at Comic Book Plus (HERE; go to page 10).

(Note: Faded text but readable.)

   "His fingers began to pick nervously at the burnt-out butts in the tray."

(4) "Clue in the Cab."

Unsigned.

First appearance: Crime Detector No. 1, January 1954.

Short short short story (2 pages).

Online at Comic Book Plus (HERE; go to page 22).

   "If it weren't for a case of insomnia and a dough-hungry hacker, I don't know what might have happened to the Big Town!"

(5) "Dead Give-A-Way."

Unsigned.

First appearance: Crime-Fighting Detective No. 15, June 1951.

Short short short story (1 page).

Online at Comic Book Plus (HERE; go to page 18).

   "I had it planned so good."

(6) "The Hidden Witness."

Unsigned.

First appearance: Crime-Fighting Detective No. 16, September 1951.

Short short short story (1 page).

Online at Comic Book Plus (HERE; go to page 24).

(Note: Text very faded but legible.)

   "At the gun's flat report, the white head within the study fell forward."

(7) "Time Will Tell."

Unsigned.

First appearance: Crime-Fighting Detective, March 1951.

Short short short story (2 pages).

Online at Comic Book Plus (HERE; go to page 18).

(Note: Some text very blurry but readable.)

   "At one side of the room lay old Mark Baylor, a tall grandfather clock smashed across his back."

The bottom line:

Unless otherwise noted, all bibliographical data are derived from The FictionMags Index created by William G. Contento & edited by Phil Stephensen-Payne.

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