5 DECEMBER 1925, Page 47

The Smoking Leg. By John Metcalfe. (Jarrolds. 7s. 6d. net.)—A

collection of macabre short stories, a little reminiscent of Barbey d'Aurevilly, and written .with a good deal of effectiveness, though sometimes had the author been more frightened himself by the strange occurrences. he relates.-the effect of the stories would have been stronger. One tale in particular, called "Paper Windmills," is excellent and extremely well written.