Trent's own case

Philip Trent, artist and amateur criminologist, was closely connected with the murder of the philanthropist James Randolph from the beginning, for he had been painting his portrait.

But there were many blind alleys in the maze ahead; many faces and places to be investigated while there could be further murders.

It was not until Trent had crossed to France and back and searched London for the Felix Poubelle Champagne that he finally emerged triumphant to discover the murderer.