The Agony Column

In England "The Agony Column" was the name of the personal advertisements in newspapers. The story begins in a rather light-hearted way with an American visiting London and being quite taken by an American girl he sees breakfasting with her father at a London Hotel. Since arriving in London he has been fascinated by The Agony Column. He has seen numerous ads placed by persons who saw someone that interested them in passing and requested a meeting. Wondering what he has to loss, he places an ad to the girl he saw at breakfast. After a few days she replies that, since she is interested in mystery and romance, he may write her one letter every day for a week. When he sees her reply he thinks to himself: "We must have mystery and romance. But where - where shall we find them?" (less)

The Agony Column is a perfect brew of mystery and romance of the very old-fashioned variety. Perhaps no one other than M.M. Kaye blended these two elements as well as Earl Derr Biggers. Forever remembered for his creation of Charlie Chan, the great detective from Hawaii, many of Biggers' other novels and novellas are just as enjoyable. Such is the case here, in this short but satisfying story.