Mr. Billingham, the Marquis and Madelon

One of the best. Mr Samuel Billingham, having sold his linoleum business in New York, arrives in Monte Carlo by cruise ship. On his first day in town he meets the distinguished but impoverished Marquis de Felan and his beautiful niece, Madamoiselle Madelon. Together the three form a perfect team of honest swindlers; brains, beauty, and culture. They liberate money from the wealthy, the selfish, the uncultured, and the criminals who visit the casinos of the Cote D'Azur.

"We are an amazing trio - unscrupulous, clever, brave! We are surrounded by pleasure-seekers and fools. There must be some mean by which they can be induced to add to our exchequer." Some of their exploits aid the police, a "casino widow", a young soldier wounded in the war, and various damsels. Not all of them result in gain, but the trio grows closer after each danger. In "The Stink Wizard" a horrible smell is released that pervades the Sporting Club, driving it's patrons into the night.

Oppenheim describes with particular care the personalities and appearance of the perpetrators and their victims. Ever alert for the niceties of behavior, the facial tics of fraud, and the clues of correct appearance. The stories are light hearted and reflect the spirit of the times.