In The Disappearance of Mr. Dizzel, the story opens on a quiet street where Adam Dizell, a rare book dealer, is suddenly thrust into chaos. As gunshots ring out from his brownstone mansion, two housekeepers witness three men fleeing the scene, one of whom appears to be Dizell himself, carried away against his will. The police arrive, led by Captain Logan, who quickly deduces that Dizell has likely been kidnapped, and the investigation begins amidst the bloodstains and broken locks.