Cirrus@Austlit

Following on from The Sign of the Glove, 'three principal characters are living in peace and prosperity after their adventures, and the story Is told by one of them, Colonel Peter Gantian, who takes up the main burden of the Incidents that follow on the reappearance of Leo Jask, a criminal and revolutionary, with whom they are all well acquainted and of whose death or existence there had been doubt. The troubles of Colonel Gantlan begin when the young son of one of the three good companions is kidnapped and spirited away to unknown places in London, where the hunt is vigoriously [sic] carried on by the colonel, aided by his former batman of the war. This is not a detective story, though it Is written In the style of the popular fiction of that class. It is full of strange disguisings and mysterious clues, and moves with life on every page, so that the Interest will be carried from day to day by our readers.'

Source:

'New Serial', Sydney Morning Herald, 21 April 1932, p.4.

'Leathermouth is the nickname of Colonel Gantian, who has been engaged by Scotland Yard to look after the welfare of Paul, rule of a small East European kingdom, while he is on a visit to England. The king has made enemies in his own country, and the presence of some of them is soon made apparent to Leathermouth. The king and he are associated in some thrilling experiences, including attempts on their lives, but eventually they come through safely.'

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'Leathermouth's Luck', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 22 August 1935, p.6.

'Colonel Gantian ("Leathermouth") is called upon by his friend, a Commissioner of Scotland Yard, to help in elucidating the mysterious events behind the death of the late Governor of Bombay. With much hesitation and reluctance, having just got married, he accepts the mission. But it sends him walking into many dangers, and it is only with much trouble that finally he is triumphant.'

Source: Contemporary advertisement from the first edition of Dornford Yates's Berry & Co.

'Reclamation of waste land is usually a long and difficult task, but when the waste land takes the form of an attractive young woman, who has got into bad company, the job is even more complicated. This story of Colonel Gantian, alias Leathermouth, a noted detective, is a welcome addition to a series of entertaining crime novels by Carlton Dawe. Written in mildly ironical style it holds the reader's attention throughout.

'One day Leathermouth received an unexpected caller, a shabby, though distinguished-looking old man who talks in metaphors. He explains that he Is prepared to pay a thousand pounds for his particular piece of reclamation work.

At first the detective thinks his visitor is a harmless old lunatic, but something about the old man's manner impresses him. Ultimately, after a great deal of palaver, he learns that his task is to rescue Thelma Heriston, high-spirited daughter of a noble family, from the clutches of a particularly clever gang of blackmailers.

'Leathermouth's task is made the more difficult because the girl must be a kept unaware of his identity, and moreover, she resents my interference with her mode of living.

'In his efforts at reclamation, the worthy detective has to cope with the opposition of Mostyn Rynde, an artist who secretly photographs his patrons while they are posing in the nude and "Kid" Paddington, a boxer for whom Thelma has a temporary infatuation.

'Of course he succeeds the end but not without participating in many exciting episodes. The end of the story comes as a real surprise.'

Source:

'"Leathermouth" Solves Deep Mystery', Weekly Times, 12 October 1935, p.28.

'The roving eye of his friend Wallington is attracted by a pretty woman, who, however, tries to blackmail him. When Wallington refuses to meet her demands, he is kidnapped and the details of his rescue provide many thrilling moments.'

Source:

'Crumpled Lilies', Sunday Times, 10 December 1933, p.3.

'The story, which is a sequel to "The King of Istania," deals with the activities of plotters against the King of that country. Colonel Gantian, who had been as signed by the authorities to look after the King while he was on a visit to England, has accepted an invitation to visit Istania as the guest of the King. Gantian is accompanied by his faithful man servant, who is handy with his fists. They figure in a number of thrilling experiences.'

Source:

'A Royal Alliance', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 6 February 1936, p.6.

'The plot of Carlton Dawe's latest novel, "The Missing Treaty," traverses well-trodden ground, but his crispness of dialogue and expert arrangement of the events of the plot combine in making the story one that people can read and enjoy. "Leathermouth," otherwise Colonel Peter Gantian, hero of several Dawe novels, makes a reappearance in 'The Missing Treaty," in which he seeks to elucidate the mystery surrounding the stolen draft of a treaty. A Russian agent, the beautiful Countess Rostov, Is suspected, and "Leathermouth" becomes involved. It is one of the most Intriguing mysteries in which that Secret Service man has yet been engaged.'

Source:

'In Review', Sunday Times, 6 May 1934, p.12.

'It deals with further activities of Leathermouth, a character who has figured in previous stories by the author. Leathermouth works in conjunction with Scotland Yard. With the cooperation of Albert Floyd, he investigates the activities of a night club and discovers that patrons are robbed by card sharping. Associated with the club is a handsome young woman. Leathermouth and Floyd have some thrilling experiences, and become involved in some dangerous situations.'

Source:

'New Serial Story', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' advocate, 22 March 1937, p.6.

'"The Law of the Knife" again sees "Leathermouth," otherwise Colonel Gantian, Secret Service agent, confidant of Scotland Yard, at work in investigating the nefarious work of Russian agents in England. Chief among them is a juggler, whose feats of knife throwing on the stage are endowed with a sinister aspect when Colonel Gantian narrowly escapes death by that means, and, in particular, when a young woman in the clutches of the gang is killed on the stage when one of the knives with which the thrower Is "outlining" her body against a wall, penetrates her eye. Leathermouth is a danger to the Soviet and must be got rid of. The girl had warned him. So the murder takes place, but is attributed to death by misadventure, the juggler declaring that the girl had moved her head.

'The story of the attempts by the agent of the Russian Commissar, with whom Leathermouth has come into conflict, are told by a hand skilled in that class of narrative, and it will be found that, combined with the excellent style in which the various characters are handled, the serial will hold its interest unflagglngly from beginning to end.'

Source:

'New Serial', Sydney Morning Herald, 1 June 1934, p.3.

'A motion picture producer is introduced to the Colonel and tries to persuade him that he is an ideal man for a leading part in a picture that the producer is about to make. This is the beginning of a series of remarkable adventures for the colonel. A titled Englishman, who is infatuated with the woman who is to be starred in the picture, is shot in the studio. "Leathermouth's" investigations of the tragedy and his solution make a story which grips interest throughout.'

Source:

'New Serial', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 2 September 1937, p.8.