Produced by Amber N Black, Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) Transcriber's Note. Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible, however it should be noted that this text contains extremely non-standard and erratic punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. In most places these errata have been transcribed as printed. There is a listing of the major changes at the end of this document. All changes were made with the objective of maintaining the author's original intent and to more easily allow you, the reader, to understand this novel. [Illustration: [_Frontispiece_ "WELL, SAIL IN. WE'RE READY FOR THE PLAY." (_page_ 198)] POPULAR NOVELS BY FERGUS HUME Author of 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab,' etc. In Crown 8vo, pictorial cloth. Price 6s. each. THE RED WINDOW =Second Impression= 'For a skilfully conceived plot, succession of stirring incidents and series of surprises, not one of Mr. Fergus Hume's books is surpassed by "The Red Window." ... Is the best book of the kind issued this season.'--_Newcastle Daily Journal._ THE YELLOW HOLLY =Third Edition= 'A story of thrilling interest.'--_To-Day._ 'An exciting detective story.'--_Academy._ A COIN OF EDWARD VII. =Third Edition= 'A clever detective story. The book holds one spellbound to the end.'--_Yorkshire Herald._ THE CRIME OF THE CRYSTAL =Third Edition= 'Mr. Fergus Hume once more shows his skill in weaving an intricate plot which holds the reader enthralled until the last line. If this book were judged upon its merits it should obtain a popularity even greater than "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab."'--_Court Circular._ THE PAGAN'S CUP =Third Edition= 'For the lover of mystery the author of the "Mystery of a Hansom Cab" has prepared a feast in his new book. The story is beyond doubt enthralling, and will in every case be read at a sitting.'--_Glasgow Herald._ THE RED-HEADED MAN =Third Edition= 'Is perhaps the best piece of work that Mr. Fergus Hume has given us since he wrote "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab." The plot is very ingenious. Devoid of suspicion of padding, brightly and smoothly written, Mr. Fergus Hume's latest tale contains not a single dull chapter.'--_World._ 'A highly ingenious and well-constructed tale.'--_Scotsman._ SHYLOCK OF THE RIVER =Fifth Edition= 'Quite the most brilliant detective story Mr. Hume has given us since he made such a remarkable hit in "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab."'--_Literary World._ THE MASQUERADE MYSTERY =Third Edition= 'Is as good as, if not better than, "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab." ... It is an excellent story.'--_World._ =In Crown 8vo, Cloth, 2s. 6d. Cheap Edition= A MARRIAGE MYSTERY 'Is ingeniously put together.... Mr. Hume's new book is good of its kind.'--_Athenæum._ 'The plot is very clever and well worked out'--_Vanity Fair._