Transcriber's Notes: 1. Page scan source: Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=x1n_HOv17EwC&dq THE PICCADILLY PUZZLE. A Mysterious Story. BY FERGUS HUME. Author of "THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," "MADAME MIDAS," "THE GIRL FROM MALTA." In One Volume. LONDON: F. V. WHITE & CO., 31, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C. 1889. CONTENTS. CHAP. I. A FOGGY NIGHT II. THE NEWS OF THE DAY III. DOWKER--DETECTIVE IV. THE ST. JOHN'S WOOD ESTABLISHMENT V. THE PICCADILLY ROOMS VI. A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT VII. A LITERARY ASPIRANT VIII. A JUVENILE DETECTIVE IX. THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE X. THE MISSING LINK XI. ANOTHER COMPLICATION XII. A FAMILY HISTORY XIII. MYLES DESMOND FINDS FRIENDS XIV. MY LADY'S HUSBAND XV. A STARTLING DISCOVERY XVI. MORE REFLECTIONS XVII. THE PRODIGAL'S RETURN XVIII. WHAT MYLES DESMOND THOUGHT XIX. WHAT DOWKER DISCOVERED XX. THE END OF IT ALL EPILOGUE DEDICATED TO CHARLES WILLEBY, ESQ. THE PICCADILLY PUZZLE. CHAPTER I. A FOGGY NIGHT. At two o'clock in the morning during the month of August sounds of music could be heard proceeding from a brilliantly lighted house in Park Lane, where a ball was being given by the Countess of Kerstoke. True, the season was long since over, and though the greater part of London Society had migrated swallow-like to the South of Europe in search of warm weather, still there were enough people in town to justify the ball being given, and a number of celebrities were present. Outside it was dull and chill with a thick yellow fog pervading the atmosphere, but within the great ball-room it was like fairy-land with the brilliant light of the lamps, the profusion of bright flowers, and the gay dresses worn by the ladies. The orchestra hidden behind a gorgeous screen of tropical plants was playing the latest waltz, "A Friend of Mine," and the sigh and sob of the melody as it stole softly through the room seemed to inspire the dancers with a voluptuous languor as they glided over the polished floor. The soft frou-frou of women's dresses mingled with the light laughter of young girls and the whispered confidences of their partners, while over all dominated the haunting melody with its weird modulations and suggestions of sensuous passion.