The narrative follows Percival Bland, a criminal with a modicum of common sense, who finds himself in a precarious situation due to his illegal activities. He frequents auctions, where he acquires a collection of human bones, which he plans to use in a nefarious scheme involving his cousin, Robert Lindsay, who bears a resemblance to him. Bland's intentions are to assume Lindsay's identity, especially since he has taken out a life insurance policy on him. As Christmas approaches, Bland prepares for his plan, purchasing various items to aid in his deception. He meticulously reconstructs the skeleton he acquired, dressing it in his cousin's clothes to create a convincing dummy. On Christmas night, after ensuring his landlady is away, he sets the scene for a fire in his lodgings, intending to fake his own death and claim the insurance money. However, the plan goes awry. The fire consumes the building, and Bland's charred remains are discovered among the ruins. The investigation into the fire reveals inconsistencies, leading to suspicions of foul play. A coroner's inquest is held, and the evidence suggests that Bland's death was not accidental. The remains found are identified as belonging to a negress, not Bland, raising questions about the true identity of the body. The narrative shifts to a forensic investigation led by a medical expert, who uncovers the truth behind the charred remains. The analysis reveals that the body was not that of Bland but rather a carefully staged deception. The expert deduces that Bland had attempted to cover up his crime by dressing a different body in his clothes and setting the fire to eliminate evidence. Ultimately, Bland's plan unravels, leading to his arrest. The story concludes with a commentary on the dangers of suggestion and the consequences of deceit, as Bland faces justice for his actions. The tale serves as a cautionary narrative about the lengths to which one might go to escape the law and the inevitable downfall that follows.
By R. Austin Freeman · First published 1911 · Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Detective Fiction · 2 chapters