
List of Coloured Plates
PREFACE
I. Maddened by Mystery: or, The Defective Detective
II. “Q.” A Psychic Pstory of the Psupernatural
III. Guido the Gimlet of Ghent: A Romance of Chivalry
IV. Gertrude the Governess: or, Simple Seventeen
V. A Hero in Homespun: or, The Life Struggle of Hezekiah Hayloft
VI. Sorrows of a Super Soul: or, The Memoirs of Marie Mushenough
VII. Hannah of the Highlands: or, The Laird of Loch Aucherlocherty
VIII. Soaked in Seaweed: or, Upset in the Ocean
A delightfully chaotic romp, this work opens with a jumble of absurd conversations and a self‑aware preface that pokes fun at the author’s own literary reputation. The narrator’s tongue‑in‑cheek commentary sets a tone of playful irreverence, inviting listeners to indulge in a world where logic takes a back seat to sheer imaginative excess.
At the heart of the story sits a flamboyant “Great Detective,” garbed in a green coat, armed with false whiskers, goggles, and even a half‑bucket of cocaine. When his nervous secretary bursts in with news of a “mystery” so staggering it could plunge nations into war, the detective springs into action, swapping disguises with theatrical flair. Their latest case? The sudden disappearance of a European prince, a caper that promises wild twists, baffling clues, and a parade of eccentric characters—all presented with a wink and a grin that keeps the absurdity rolling.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (172K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Nov 1, 2003
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1869–1944
Best remembered for turning small-town life and human vanity into warm, sharp comedy, this Canadian writer was once one of the most widely read humorists in the English-speaking world. His work still feels lively for its mix of satire, affection, and clear-eyed observation.
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