Reprint of the original, first published in 1840.

Lady Eureka (Vol. 1 of 3) or, The Mystery : A Prophecy of the Future One day, when the captain, and about half his band, had gone out shooting wild hogs in the adjacent woods, the rest of the pirates, with their prisoners, were mingled together, talking and joking, and amusing themselves among the trees at the back of the house, and Hearty was looking anxiously every now and then as if he was waiting for some one to join his party. His companions also shared in the laugh, and in the sport which was proceeding, but it seemed as if their thoughts were otherwise employed. They were evidently inattentive to what was going on around them. They evinced a restlessness—an anxiety—an impatience not characteristic of men engaged in amusement; and now and then looks passed between them in which there appeared more meaning than was visible to the others. But the pirates heeded not these things. They thought only of the sport in which they were occupied; and being well armed, and[273] much out-numbering their prisoners, who were without weapons, they had not the slightest fear or expectation of their attempting an escape. At last the boy Loop was observed turning the corner of the house, carrying a heavy bundle on his head. As soon as he was seen, Hearty and his companions hastily put their right arms into the upper part of their vests, each produced a pistol, and in an instant eight or ten of the pirates fell dead or wounded at their feet. With a shout, the sailors rushed towards the boy Loop, whose bundle, containing weapons, was soon appropriated, and then, amid yells and imprecations, cheers and shouts, there commenced a war of extermination between the two parties. The pirates were taken quite by surprise, and were put in confusion by the fierceness and suddenness of the attack. They still outnumbered their opponents, but while they gathered together, and were seeking to revenge their fallen comrades, a discharge of fire-arms in their rear from Oriel Porphyry, Zabra, Doctor Tourniquet, and the professor, still more diminished their numbers, and still more distracted their attention. They were not allowed a moment of inaction. At once from both sides came the attack. Pistols were only discharged, when it was almost impossible to miss; but the chief weapon was the sword, and with this Hearty, Boggle, Climberkin, and Ardent, well backed by their companions, and Oriel Porphyry, closely followed by Zabra, Fortyfolios, and the doctor, cut down all who opposed them. The conflict was fierce. Oriel Porphyry displayed an energy that nothing could resist. He hewed his way through the thickest of his foes, and they fell like reeds before his sword; while a stern scorn was breathing from his handsome features, and his fine manly figure seemed to dilate with the pride of conscious power. Close to his side came Zabra, whose exertions were not so effective; but his object seemed more to be to defend Oriel than to attack the pirates. Several times the arm that threatened the destruction of the young merchant was rendered powerless by the ready interference of his youthful friend, and the pistol levelled at his head dropped harmless to the ground. It soon became a struggle of[275] man to man. Each singled out his opponent, and when he was disposed of, looked out for another. In a few minutes the state of the parties had changed exceedingly. A great number of the pirates had fallen, and the rest, unable to withstand the fierceness of the encounter, appeared desirous of making their escape. They were pressed so closely, that only three out of the whole band got away, and each of these was severely wounded.

Reproduction of the original: Lady Eureka by Robert Folkestone Williams

The 'BRITISH MURDER MYSTERIES Boxed Set' encompasses an illustrious collection that transcends the mere confines of thriller classics, detective novels, and true crime stories, presenting readers with a panorama of literary artistry. From the fog-laden streets of Victorian London to the intricate puzzles of the early twentieth century, this anthology showcases a diverse range of storytelling techniques, narrative structures, and ingenious plot developments that have shaped and defined the genre. The inclusion of standout pieces from renowned figures adds depth, ensuring the collections place within the broader literary context of mystery and detective fiction. The anthology not merely entertains but serves as a testament to the evolution of the mystery genre. The contributing authors, including luminaries such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Wilkie Collins, among others, collectively offer a rich tapestry of cultural and historical perspectives. Their individual and joint contributions illuminate the myriad ways in which the mystery genre has encapsulated societal anxieties, moral dilemmas, and the quintessential human quest for justice and truth. The backgrounds of these authors, spanning different epochs and socio-political milieu, reflect the evolution of detective fiction in response to changing societal norms and literary tastes, aligning the collection with significant cultural and literary movements. This anthology is an indispensable treasure for aficionados of the mystery genre, educators seeking to broaden their curriculum, and anyone with an interest in the intersection between crime, society, and literature. The 'BRITISH MURDER MYSTERIES Boxed Set' offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the works of some of the most influential figures in detective literature. It invites readers to embark on a labyrinthine journey through the hallmarks of suspense and intrigue, providing a unique lens through which to explore the complexities of human nature and the perennial allure of the mysterious.

This meticulously edited collection is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents: Edgar Wallace: The Four Just Men The Council of Justice The Just Men of Cordova The Law of the Four Just Men The Nine Bears Angel Esquire The Fourth Plague or Red Hand Grey Timothy or Pallard the Punter The Man who Bought London The Melody of Death A Debt Discharged The Tomb of T'Sin The Secret House The Clue of the Twisted Candle Down under Donovan The Man who Knew The Green Rust Kate Plus Ten The Daffodil Murder Jack O'Judgment The Angel of Terror The Crimson Circle Take-A-Chance Anderson The Valley of Ghosts P.-C. Lee Series Arthur Conan Doyle: Sherlock Holmes Series A Study in Scarlet The Sign of Four The Hound of the Baskervilles The Valley of Fear The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes The Return of Sherlock Holmes His Last Bow Other Mysteries True Crime Stories Wilkie Collins: The Woman in White No Name Armadale The Moonstone The Haunted Hotel The Law and The Lady The Dead Secret Miss or Mrs? R. Austin Freeman: Dr. Thorndyke Series Other Mysteries Agatha Christie: The Mysterious Affair at Styles The Secret Adversary H. C. McNeile: Bulldog Drummond The Black Gang G. K. Chesterton: The Innocence of Father Brown The Wisdom of Father Brown Arthur Morrison: Martin Hewitt Series Dorrington & Hicks Stories Ernest Bramah: Max Carrados Stories Victor L. Whitechurch: The Canon in Residence Thrilling Stories of the Railway Thomas W. Hanshew: Hamilton Cleek Series E. W. Hornung: A. J. Raffles Series Mystery Novels J. S. Fletcher: Mystery Novels Paul Campenhaye – Specialist in Criminology Rober Barr: The Triumph of Eugéne Valmont Jennie Baxter, Journalist The Adventures of Sherlaw Kombs The Adventure of the Second Swag Frank Froest Mystery Novels C. N. Williamson & A. M. Williamson Mystery Novels Isabel Ostander Mystery Novels