The Talleyrand Maxim — Joseph Smith Fletcher / J.S. Fletcher

Joseph Smith Fletcher wrote more than 230 books on a wide variety of subjects, both fiction and non-fiction and was one of the leading writers of detective fiction in the "Golden Age." "It's old Mr. Bartle, sir," he whispered. "He's in your room there -- dead " "Dead?" exclaimed Eldrick. "Dead " Pratt shook his head again. "He came up not so long after you'd gone, sir," he said. "Everybody had gone but me -- I was just going. Wanted to see you about something I don't know what. He was very tottery when he came in -- complained of the stairs and the fog. I took him into your room, to sit down in the easy chair. And -- he died straight off. Just," concluded Pratt, "just as if he was going quietly to sleep " "You're sure he is dead? -- not fainting?" asked Eldrick. "He's dead, sir -- quite dead," replied Pratt. "I've rung up Dr. Melrose -- he'll be here in a minute or two -- and the Town Hall -- the police -- as well. Will you look at him, sir?"