This is a collection of short stories that tells the story of Ronald Standish, a detective who only takes on cases that interest him. The book contains the following stories: The Creaking Door — The Missing Chauffeur — The Haunted Rectory — A Matter of Tar — The House with the Kennels — The Third Message — The Mystery of the Slip-Coach — The Second Dog — The Man in Yellow — The Man with Samples — The Empty House — The Tidal River.