
How about this tempting introduction in Black Mask magazine to the short story when it first appeared in 1924? "There were enough clews in this crime to give Mr. Hammett's nameless detective a year or so of work. But solving a mystery in that length of time didn't appeal to him. He wanted faster action - and he got it in good measure. So will you if you begin this entertaining novelette."The Op has a late evening appointment with Leopold Gantvoort, subject unknown. When he arrives, his client is not there and the Op soon discovers Mr. Gantvoort has been murdered in strange circumstances.Librarian's note #1: this entry is for the story, Arson Plus. Entries for collections of short stories and the other individual stories can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. There are a total of 28 short stories plus one incomplete; they can all be found by searching Goodreads for: a Continental Op Short Story.Librarian's note #2: there are also two Continental Op novels, Red Harvest (also known as The Cleansing of Poisonville), and The Dain Curse.