the hour of six, the hour of six
Some of Paul Harley 's most interesting cases were brought to his notice in an almost accidental way . Although he closed his office in Chancery Lane sharply at the hour of six , the hour of six by no means marked the end of his business day . His work was practically ceaseless . But even in times of leisure , at the club or theatre , fate would sometimes cast in his path the first slender thread which was ultimately to lead him into some unsuspected labyrinth , perhaps in the underworld of London , perhaps in a city of the Far East . His investigation of the case of the man with the shaven skull afforded an instance of this , and even more notable was his first meeting with Major Jack Ragstaff of the Cavalry Club , a meeting which took place after the office had been closed , but which led to the unmasking of perhaps the most cunning murderer in the annals of crime .