
E-text prepared by Al Haines
A small jewelled hand struck him full on the mouth.
A refined New York household buzzes with uneasy anticipation when a startling newspaper dispatch announces the discovery of a massive diamond in South Africa—second only to the legendary Koh‑i‑Noor. Husband Kenneth Traynor, a seasoned adventurer, sees a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity, but the secrecy of his plan and the looming threat of rival treasure hunters weigh heavily on him.
His wife Helen, usually the lively heart of their elegant home, is suddenly pale and uneasy, her usual composure shaken by an inexplicable dread. As the couple grapples with the promise of unimaginable wealth, they must also confront hidden motives, looming danger, and the strain their secret places on their marriage. Their story unfolds against the backdrop of opulent Manhattan life and the untamed landscapes of Cape Town, setting the stage for a romance intertwined with high‑stakes adventure.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (343K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-12-18
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1865–1942
An English-born writer who helped shape American theater writing, he moved easily between criticism, fiction, and playmaking. Best known for editing The Theatre Magazine and for his sweeping history of the stage in the United States, he brought a journalist’s eye and a showman’s energy to everything he wrote.
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