17 SEPTEMBER 1927, Page 32

THE MIXER. By Edgar Wallace. (Long. 7s.

This is less a novel than a series of short stories, to which a connected interest is given by the personality of the hero. "The Mixer" is a particularly cool and resourceful scoundrel who works on the philanthropic principle of robbing only the thief and outswindling the swindler. He shows unfailing ingenuity in relieving of their ill-gotten gains the successful promoters of burglaries, sweepstakes, and financial scoops. Each chapter describes, in Mr. Wallace's best manner, some fresh exploit more daring and original than the last, and so likeable does this engaging villain become that we are positively relieved when, realizing that he has gone far enough, he finally retires from "business" and escapes abroad.