PBEFACE 



Several of the sketches in this volume have 

 appeared in periodicals. 'The Bloody Doctor' 

 was in Macmillan's Magazine, ' The Confessions 

 of a Duffer,' ' Loch Awe,' and ' The Lady or the 

 Salmon ? ' were in the Fishing Gazette; but have 

 been to some extent re- written. 'The Double 

 Alibi ' was in Longman's Magazine. The author 

 has to thank the Editors and Publishers feu 

 permission to reprint these papers. 



The gem engraved on the cover is enlarged 

 from a small intaglio in the collection of Mr. 

 M. H. N. Story-Maskelyne, M.P. Such gems 

 were recommended by Clemens of Alexandria 



