The Case of the Cape Town Letter

A letter arrives from Cape Town in a partner's hand. He drowned ten years ago. Now he claims his half of the firm.

Section I

The Scene

Victorian newspaper-style illustration for The Case of the Cape Town Letter, set at Lockyer & Tarrant, merchants, Bishopsgate, City of London.

Hand-drawn case map for The Case of the Cape Town Letter, showing Lockyer & Tarrant, merchants, Bishopsgate, City of London. — The ground in question.

Setting: Lockyer & Tarrant, merchants, Bishopsgate, City of London
Time: Sunday morning, first Sunday of June 1894
Weather: Bright; a gentle breeze; church bells from St Helen's at half past ten
Atmosphere: A panelled merchant's-office, tall sash windows over a quiet Sunday street; ledger-presses along the inner wall; a brass-bound chronometer ticking on the partner's desk.

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