Mr. Fortune's Practice

At the height of Cup Day at Ascot, the story opens with a bustling crowd of silk hats, flounces and whispered wagers. The ever‑charismatic Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department, Sidney Lomas, finds himself beside the eccentric consultant Reginald Fortune, a man whose reputation for solving mysteries rivals his penchant for witty banter. Their conversation drifts from idle jokes to a puzzling observation about a stranger’s unusual gait, hinting at deeper cultural clues that only Fortune seems eager to decode.

Amid the glittering royal enclosure, a parade of aristocrats and exotic visitors provides a vivid backdrop for the two men’s subtle rivalry. As Fortune’s curiosity sharpens, the seemingly harmless chatter becomes a springboard for a mystery that glitters just beneath the surface of the elegant summer spectacle. Listeners are invited to follow their teasing exchange and the first hints of a case that promises intrigue in every polished shoe and whispered remark.