He was dead, and there was an end to it.

Such is the story of the first big case in which I was engaged, and one that led me step by step to the position I now hold.

I have told it perhaps at somewhat greater length than I need have done, but I trust the reader will forgive me.

As a matter of fact I am rather proud of it; more so perhaps than I have any reason to be.
[Illustration: "HE FELL WITH A CRASH AT MY FEET."] Having resigned my position in the police of the Northern Colony, I was not to be tempted to reconsider my decision.

My liking for the life, however, and my interest in the unravelling of mysterious crimes, proved too strong, and I joined the Detective Staff in Melbourne, seeing in their service a good deal of queer life and ferreting out not a small number of extraordinary cases.