AustLit

A train breakdown near a small Victorian township elicits a tale from a traveller, ostensibly a Melbourne detective, of a case of money disappearing from a post-office till each night. A grocer's somnambulism and money lost in the purchase of a hen prove to be the keys to the mystery - and save the lady postal clerk from registration. Final ironic twist supplied by the apparent detective robbing one of his audience while telling the tale. Detective work, crime and humour. Small town atmosphere well evoked. (PB)