
by Murray Leinster
A quiet, upscale hotel becomes the backdrop for a seemingly ordinary evening, where a meticulous businessman savors fine food, a perfect cigar, and the simple pleasure of a solitary walk. The narrative paints the Stratford’s genteel atmosphere with vivid detail, from its smoky lounge to the polished corridors, inviting listeners to settle into its tranquil rhythm. Yet beneath the polished surface, subtle hints of unease begin to stir, suggesting that even the most refined settings can hide unexpected turbulence.
When the protagonist returns to his room, the calm is shattered by a frantic, desperate cry—“I’ve been robbed! Eighty thousand dollars!”—and the scene erupts into chaos. The sudden plunge from contentment to panic launches a mystery that forces the hotel’s staff and guests to confront a bewildering crime. Listeners are drawn into a tense, fast‑moving investigation that balances atmospheric charm with a gripping, early‑act suspense.
Language
en
Duration
~20 minutes (19K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: Pro-Distribution Publishing Company, 1922.
Credits
Roger Frank and Sue Clark
Release date
2021-09-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1896–1975
Best known for brisk, idea-packed science fiction, this prolific American storyteller helped shape classic genre themes long before many of them became standard. Writing under a pen name, he produced an enormous body of fiction and is still remembered for influential stories such as "First Contact" and "Sidewise in Time."
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by Murray Leinster

by Murray Leinster

by Murray Leinster

by Murray Leinster

by Murray Leinster

by Murray Leinster

by Murray Leinster

by Murray Leinster