Genre: It's a detective story, likely featuring a detective character investigating a crime.
Publication Date: Published in 1896, placing it in the early detective fiction era. Stories from this period often emphasized puzzle-solving and logical deductions.
The Title: "The Last Stroke" is intriguing but cryptic. It could be a reference to:
A final, crucial clue left behind by the criminal.
The last act of the crime itself.
A symbolic gesture related to the case.
Here are some possibilities for the plot based on the title and era:
A Killing Stroke: The detective might be investigating a murder where the final blow or action is the "last stroke."
An Artistic Crime: The title could hint at a crime committed by an artist or involving a work of art. The "last stroke" could be the final detail added to a forged masterpiece or the destruction of a crucial piece of evidence.
A Financial Crime: In the late 19th century, financial crimes were becoming more prevalent. The "last stroke" could refer to a forged signature on a document or the final manipulation in an elaborate embezzlement scheme.
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