Note: Published posthumously "The four stories composing the present volume were contributed by their author at considerable intervals to different periodicals. Some time prior to his death [1888-09-27] he contemplated publishing them in book form, and actually selected and carefully revised them with that purpose in view." --"Prefatory Sketch", p.[iii]-vii, signed "R. W. D." and "Toronto, Oct 25th, 1888."; quoting p.vii