An observer of men who finds himself steadily repelled by some apparently trifling thing in a stranger is right to give it great weight. It may be the clue to the whole mystery. A hair or two will show where a lion is hidden. A very little key will open a very heavy door.

[a:Charles Dickens|239579|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387078070p2/239579.jpg], a very versatile writer, gives us a well-crafted detective story. I am always pleased if such a story provides me all the necessary clues to solve the case and I’m still surprised at the end. That was the case here.

Dickens loves to play with names, and here he gives us our suspect, Mr. Slinkton. Puts you right onto the kind of personality you can expect from this slinky, arrogant criminal. That’s not a spoiler, Dickens tells us who to suspect from the beginning, just not what to suspect him of.

I read this story with the rather new group, Dickensians and would encourage anyone who might be interested in either Dickens or the time in which he lived to join in. We are reading short stories during August and finding the discussions very interesting.




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Written by Charles Dickens, this is a small book or possibly a short story.

Mr. Sampson is the retired Chief Manager of a Life Assurance Office — an insurance company. When a Mr. Julius Slinkton comes into the offices seeking information “for a friend",” Sampson takes an instant dislike to the fellow. Slinkton is looking for information on insurance for his “friend.”

Slinkton has heard of Sampson through a mutual friend. Over a period of time, Slinkton works to ingratiate himself to Sampson. Sampson gives Slinkton the impression that he considers Slinkton to be an “alright person.” The real truth is to the contrary.

Slinkton keeps showing up more and more. Sampson learns of Slinkton’s two nieces, one who had recently passed away and the other who was has poor health. Sampson becomes suspicious and comes up with a plan to investigate Slinkton and what he is up to.

The story is told in the first person, similar to the style of Wilke Collins and others of the Victorian era. It moves at a pretty good clip as you read. A short read, but I enjoyed it. Guess I may read a few more of Dickens’ works. Not a favoured author in school, but things can change over the years! ( )