The Riddle of the Night

In Short

This mystery novel follows Hamilton Cleek, a reformed criminal known as the "Man of the Forty Faces," who now uses his uncanny talent for impersonation to assist Scotland Yard. When a titled count is found murdered in a gruesome manner on the outskirts of Wimbledon Common, the investigation draws Cleek into the private affairs of the Clavering and Raynor families. It is a quintessential Edwardian detective story, defined by its intricate puzzles, secret passages, and the constant, clever shifts in identity that keep the reader guessing until the final revelation.

The Story

The narrative begins with a discovery on a lonely road near Wimbledon Common: the body of Count Franz de Louvisan, an Austrian visitor, found dead and pinned to a wall. Superintendent Narkom, overwhelmed by the complexity of the scene, immediately summons the only man capable of navigating such a dark puzzle: Hamilton Cleek. Cleek is a man of many lives—a former "vanishing cracksman" who now operates as a brilliant private investigator under various guises, including Monsieur Georges de Lesparre and Philip Barch.

As Cleek enters the scene, he finds that the victim had been deeply entangled in the lives of the residents of Wuthering Grange, particularly Lady Katherine Fordham, whom the Count had been pressuring into an unwanted engagement. Suspicion initially ripples through the household, touching everyone from the young heir Geoffrey Clavering to the General and Mrs. Raynor. Cleek, however, quickly perceives that the tragedy is not a simple crime of passion but a web of long-hidden secrets. He begins to infiltrate the household under the guise of an author, using the cover to prowl the estate, examine evidence, and monitor the movements of the suspects.

The investigation leads Cleek into a labyrinth of clues: a hidden set of the murdered gatekeeper’s clothes, a mysterious ermine cloak linked to a sleepwalking incident, and a series of forged letters that reveal a dark history of blackmail. Cleek’s process is one of patient, methodical observation. He navigates the social dynamics of the house with a sharp eye, noting inconsistencies in testimony and physical traces—like a tiny grease spot of Huile Violette—that others overlook. Throughout, his loyal assistant, Dollops, aids him in capturing suspects and securing vital evidence.

The tension escalates as Cleek uncovers the truth behind the various deceptions. He discovers that the murder was connected to an old threat involving the "Apache" criminal underworld and a desperate attempt to protect a woman’s reputation. Through a final, dramatic confrontation, Cleek exposes the killer, vindicates those who had been wrongfully suspected, and brings closure to the troubled families. The resolution reveals the identity of the perpetrator—a man named Paul Berton—and explains the complex series of events that led to the crime. With the mystery solved and the family name cleared of scandal, Cleek, true to his enigmatic nature, slips back into the night, satisfied that he has restored order and granted peace to those he helped.

How It Unfolds

The discovery Superintendent Narkom finds the body of Count de Louvisan in a gruesome state near Wimbledon Common. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, he immediately seeks out his elusive contact, the former cracksman Hamilton Cleek.

The infiltration Cleek assumes the identity of a writer named Philip Barch to gain access to Wuthering Grange. He begins to observe the household members, sensing that the murder is merely the tip of a much deeper, more dangerous iceberg.

The physical trail While snooping through the grounds, Cleek discovers the hidden clothing of a slain gatekeeper and realizes the killer has been using the estate as a base. He meticulously tracks scents and minute physical evidence to connect these discoveries to the central murder.

The web of suspicion Cleek interrogates family members and tracks their movements, growing convinced that the official narrative is flawed. He shifts his attention to a series of forged documents and a secret history of blackmail involving the victim.

The confrontation After a series of close calls and undercover maneuvers, Cleek traps the true killer, Paul Berton. He uses his knowledge of the criminal’s past to force a confession, effectively clearing the names of the innocent.

The resolution Cleek brings the final truth to the General and provides peace to the family. Having fulfilled his duty, he departs as quietly as he arrived, leaving the mystery of his own identity as intact as ever.

The People

Hamilton Cleek is the story's anchor—a man of immense intellect and shifting appearances. He wants to solve the riddle without exposing his past life as the "Vanishing Cracksman." His success relies on his ability to remain a mystery even to those he saves.

Superintendent Narkom represents the institutional face of justice. While he is capable and dedicated, he recognizes his limitations and relies on Cleek’s superior instincts, acting as a bridge between the police and the detective.

Ailsa Lorne serves as a key ally within the Grange. She is observant and deeply loyal to her friend Lady Katherine. Her willingness to assist Cleek—even while she remains in the dark about his true nature—is central to his ability to move freely through the house.

Geoffrey Clavering and Harry Raynor act as focal points for the investigation’s suspicion. Their secrets, ranging from romantic entanglements to professional failures, create the obstacles Cleek must navigate to isolate the truth from the noise of their personal dramas.

In Its Own Voice

Cleek demonstrates his specialized knowledge while examining a crime scene, showing how even a minor scent can provide a major lead:

"Huile Violette!" he said, with a sound as of satisfied laughter in his voice. "No wonder the scent of violets lingered."

Cleek reflects on his own reputation and the necessity of his deception while speaking with a servant:

"I think out all the plots of my novels prowling about in silence and alone, and an interruption is apt to destroy a train of thought forever."

After finally piecing together the hidden correspondence that proves the motive for the crime, Cleek delivers a final verdict on the tragedy:

"There is the answer to the riddle," he said. "Poor soul--poor, poor unhappy soul! Under God, she shall suffer no more from this night on!"

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book is a study of the vulnerability of reputation and the fragility of secrets. It explores the tension between the public face of the landed gentry and the private, often desperate lives hidden behind the doors of a grand house. The story posits that truth is a composite of overlooked fragments—a spot of oil, a scrap of fabric, a misplaced letter—and that justice requires a mind capable of stripping away the layers of social artifice. Ultimately, it is about the quiet power of a protector who operates outside the law to enforce a higher, more compassionate kind of order.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the classic "locked room" or "country house" mystery will find much to admire here. The pacing is deliberate, favoring a slow accumulation of clues over immediate action, which allows the atmosphere of suspense to build effectively. It is a quintessential period piece, and contemporary readers should be prepared for the formal, somewhat ornate language of the early 20th century, as well as the rigid social hierarchies of the era that dictate how the characters interact.

Cleek himself is a fascinating protagonist; he possesses a modern, almost analytical approach to deduction that feels quite sharp, though his quick-change artistry might feel theatrical to those used to gritty contemporary thrillers. The book is not without its difficulties—the dialect used by the assistant Dollops can be dense and occasionally grating, and the gendered expectations of the time are omnipresent. However, if you are willing to step back into a world of gaslight, secret passages, and gentleman detectives, this is a polished example of the craft. What stays with the reader is the image of Cleek as an outsider, a man who restores order to the lives of others while remaining a ghost in the machine of society.