The Gentleman Who Vanished: A Psychological Phantasy

'The Gentleman Who Vanished: A Psychological Phantasy' is a mystery novel written by Fergus Hume. The story begins on a stormy night in London, where a large crowd is busy with their own lives, ignoring the ominous signs of the weather. In a room in a fashionable house, two young men are playing cards. The room is well furnished but disordered, typical of a bachelor's living space. The two men are dressed in evening clothes, and the game is intense, with a pile of gold pieces at stake. The first player, Adrian Lancaster, is tall with dark hair and a mustache, and he is frustrated by his bad luck. He drinks brandy-and-soda to comfort himself. The second player, Philip Trevanna, is short, fair, and unassuming, and his clothing does not give him a distinguished appearance.