Jimmie Dale & the Blue Envelope Murder

 Jimmie Dale & the Blue Envelope Murder (1930) by Frank L. Packard

When Jimmie Dale returned from serving in World War I, he thought he had left the Grey Seal behind him. Using the Grey Seal persona in what had begun as a lark, Jimmie moved among New York's underworld and righted wrongs even as the Seal took the rap for crimes he didn't commit. During the course of his exploits he had fallen for the Tocsin (Marie), a female counterpart who also uses disguises to move among the underworld. But he and Marie have put all that behind them and are preparing for their wedding in just a month's time.

And then...he receives an urgent message from Marie (who is spending time with old friends in Paris and buying items for her trousseau) telling him that his best man's life is in danger and the only way to save him is to don the Grey Seal mask one more time and steal a blue envelope that is in Ray Thorne's possession. Possession of the envelope means certain death--but if the Grey Seal steals it and leaves behind his famous calling card, those who are out to get the envelope will leave Thorne alone. 

Jimmie has no second thoughts--off he goes that very night and steals the envelope, leaving behind the diamond-shaped 'grey seal' pasted on the safe door. Imagine his dismay when his good friend Herman Carruthers calls him just a few hours later to tell him that Ray is dead...show by the Grey Seal! Jimmie and Marie slip back into their underworld personas (Mother Margot and Larry the Bat) to hunt the people responsible for Ray's death and to clear the Grey Seal once and for all.

High adventure, lots of disguises and detecting through methods that won't exactly win friends and influence people on the police department. In addition to the murder, we also have smuggling, jewel thefts, and secret codes. The culprits are fairly obvious, but the the real mystery is how Jimmie will be able to deliver the crooks into the hands of the police without revealing who the Grey Seal is. A fun read for when you just want a lot of action and intrigue. ★★★  and 1/2

*Photo above is the dust jacket that belongs with my copy--unfortunately, I don't have a dust jacket.

my copy

First line: The lounge windows of the St. James Club, that club of clubs, looked out on Fifth Avenue.

Last line: "Then for heave's sake step on it, old man!" urged Jimmie Dale frantically--and winked confidentially at the receiver as he replaced it on the hook.

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Deaths = three shot