Lord Lister No. 0040: De valsche spoorwegdief

A dapper gentleman with a reputation that haunts Scotland Yard slips into a quiet London street, his violin still humming as he readies a heist. Beside him, the ever‑loyal Charly Brand lounges, waiting for the signal that will turn a genteel evening into a daring robbery. The pair dress in impeccable evening wear, their pockets hidden with tools as elegant as their attire, and step into the marble‑faced office of the wealthy banker Felix Meijer‑Wolf, unnoticed by the patrolling constables.

The story follows their careful choreography, from the click of a golden pocket watch to the secret compartments in a jeweled cane that hold everything from an opium‑laced cigarette to a tiny steel file. While the police linger outside, the thieves glide inside, poised to uncover the vault’s secrets. In this brisk opening act, the tension between polished propriety and razor‑sharp cunning sets the stage for a classic caper that promises intrigue, clever gadgets, and a battle of wits between the master thief and the world he outsmarts.