British author John Jeffery Farnol (1878-1952) was best known for his many Regency romances and a mystery series featuring Jasper Shrig of the Bow Street Runners. This collection of sixteen short stories (and one poem) includes tales of crime, romance, revenge, and the supernatural. From the Egyptian horror of 'Black Coffee' to the Wodehousian 'The Divine Phyllidia, ' and the mysterious highwayman in 'The Shadow, ' there are plenty of stories to fill a quiet evening by the fireside.