A Shot in the Night

Joseph Smith Fletcher (1863-1935) was an English journalist and author. He wrote more than 230 books on a wide variety of subjects, both fiction and non-fiction, and was one of the most prolific English writers of detective fiction.Fletcher’s mystery story A Shot in the Night, which we propose to our readers today, was published in September 1924 in the Cosmopolitan magazine.«After some unseen hand had thumped loudly and steadily at the panels of his bedroom door for the better part of five minutes, Manson pulled himself out of the seductive embrace of his blankets to realize that the wintry dawn was at hand, and that the moon, just then at its full, was dipping towards the horizon beyond the pine woods in front of his uncurtained window. He slipped out of bed and switched on the electric light at its head all in one action, and as he crossed to the door glanced at the watch which lay on his dressing-table. Six forty-five—two hours and a quarter before his usual time! And who the devil could this be, thundering so persistently at his door?».