THE BIRDS OF THE MONTH.
[THE TRAGEDY OF A THIRD SMOKER.]
A STORY OF THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY.
By Cutcliffe Hyne.
Illustrated by J. Finnemore, R.B.A.
"I abominate detective stories," said the Q.C., laying down his cue along the corner of the billiard-table and going across to the shelf where the cigar-boxes stood. "You see, when a man makes a detective story to write down on paper, he begins at the butt-end and works backwards. He notes his points and manufactures his clues to suit 'em, so it's all bound to work out right. In real life it's very different,"—he chose a Partaga, looking at it through his glasses thoughtfully—"and I ought to know; I've been studying the criminal mind for half my working life."