Mr. Deming has developed so neatly an idea so fresh and striking that we feel no introduction is necessary. Go ahead to this completely new kind of time-travel story, with a concept that will stick in your mind through all your future reading of science fiction.

Manny Moon, the agile one-legged detective of “The Gallows in My Garden” and “Tweak the Devil’s Nose,” is back again.

Naturally it’s murder and this time the murder is committed after a banquet arranged, ironically enough, to celebrate the incorporation of a company to manufacture a safety device for hunters.

During the investigation, Manny learns a great deal about inventors and inventions, murders and murderers. The beauteous Fausta Moreni is also on hand, along with a generous helping of blackmail, kidnaping and hoodlumism.