This detective novel features Dr. John Thorndyke, a pioneering forensic investigator, as he unravels the mystery of a missing man and a complex case involving art theft, deception, and murder. Using scientific methods and keen observation, Thorndyke pieces together clues that others miss, making this story a gripping early example of forensic detective fiction. Freeman's meticulous attention to detail and clever plotting have earned him a lasting place in the detective genre.