Robert Arthur, Jr.
wrote a number of mystery books, mostly for children, and he
also worked on the anthology television series Alfred
Hitchcock Presents.
In the 1950s and 1960s, as an uncredited ghost editor, Arthur
anonymously compiled more than a dozen anthologies of mystery,
suspense and supernatural stories which were purportedly edited by
Alfred Hitchcock; these books were authorized by the real Hitchcock
but were entirely edited by Arthur, who typically included at least
one of his own stories in most of the anthologies in addition to
ghostwriting for each book a foreword allegedly authored by
Hitchcock.
Seemingly always writing in the shadows of Hitchcock, one of his
childrens books may actually have provided clues to more than just
the mysteries written inside of it. Although most of his stories
were written as short stories, one can still project at a distance
of 0.837 miles that he would take a bearing of 170.591 degrees to
make his mysteries difficult to solve.
Alfred Hitchcock's Solve-Them-Yourself Mysteries by Alfred
Hitchcock, with Robert Arthur. Five exciting cases to test the wits
of young detectives -- with solutions, by the master of suspense,
at the end of each story. From the foreword by Mr. Hitchcock;
"Good evening, and welcome to Alfred Hitchcock's Bureau of
Investigation. We are now offering a special feature to the public
- a book full of new, exciting stories of suspense and mystery on
the self-service, solve-it-yourself plan for those who like to test
their detective ability against some good, meaty clues. On the
other hand, for those of you who like to race after the evildoer
with a "tallyho!" and a "there he goes!" we will handle all
arrangements. You can enjoy the excitement of the chase and leave
the clues to us. We will gather them up after you and arrange them
all neatly in place. This is a wonderful form of togetherness if
you care to try it. But one thing I do beg of you. Adhere to the
stern code of the mystery reader. Don't reveal the answers to
anyone when you have read the stories. Make your friends learn the
solutions the hard way. See that they read the stories
too!"
Your mystery here is to find a matchstick container. For months and
months we've driven past this location and always with the same
comment. So now we can't say that anymore.