The Wasp — 1889 — page 128: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes San Francisco's detective force, depicting five men sheltering under a large umbrella labeled "Wasp." The caption reads: "THE MYSTERY REMAINS A MYSTERY. OUR BRILLIANT DETECTIVES CAN NOW GO TO SLEEP AGAIN." The cartoon mocks local detectives for failing to solve some unspecified case—"the mystery" suggests a high-profile unsolved crime. The figures appear to represent San Francisco's law enforcement officials, portrayed as incompetent and indifferent, now comfortable enough to rest despite their failure. The satirical tone suggests The Wasp's readers were frustrated with police bungling. The umbrella metaphor may indicate the magazine itself provides shelter or criticism of official incompetence. Without identifying the specific case referenced, the cartoon's point is clear: it's ridiculing detective work deemed inadequate or abandoned.