John Rhode 
Dr. Priestley’s Quest 

Dr. Priestley’s Quest, first published in 1926, is the second book in the Dr. Priestley detective story series. Author John Rhode, a pen name of Cecil Street (1884-1964), was a prolific writer of mostly detective novels, publishing more than 140 books between 1924 and 1961. From the dustjacket: "Perhaps the greatest achievement of Dr. Priestley’s career as a criminologist was his masterly solution of the strange mystery which is related in this volume. The curious problem presented by the case of the Heatherdale brothers was well-suited for the exercise of his peculiar powers of logical reasoning. From the first dramatic disclosure of Mr. Gerald Heatherdale, the narrative proceeds by a series of startling events to a conclusion which few reader will be able to foretell."