
CHAPTER I.—THE GIRL FROM HOME.
CHAPTER II.—A BAD BEGINNING.
CHAPTER III.—AU REVOIR.
CHAPTER IV.—A MATTER OF TWENTY POUNDS.
CHAPTER V.—A WATCH AND A PIPE.
CHAPTER VI.—THE WAYS OF SOCIETY.
CHAPTER VII.—MOONLIGHT SPORT.
CHAPTER VIII.—THE SAVING OF ARABELLA.
CHAPTER IX.—FACE TO FACE.
CHAPTER X.—THE THINNING OF THE ICE.
In a sun‑baked countryside homestead, the quiet routine of a young girl named Arabella is interrupted by the unexpected return of her father, Mr. Teesdale, from distant Melbourne. While she is absorbed in a well‑worn family primer, the creak of the buggy and the bustle of the farm’s men bring a lively contrast to her solitary reading nook. The cramped parlour, the dusty gun‑room, and the ever‑present hum of domestic chores set the stage for a world where duty, curiosity, and a touch of humor intertwine.
The characters surrounding Arabella—her boisterous brother John William, the stoic farmhands, and the ever‑watchful matriarch—add colour and tension to the simple scene. As the family gathers, old friendships surface and a mysterious letter from England hints at adventures beyond the farm’s borders. Listeners are drawn into a slice of rural life where the ordinary meets the promise of something larger, inviting them to wonder what lies just beyond the next door.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (314K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger from page images generously provided by Google Books
Release date
2016-07-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1866–1921
Best known as the creator of the gentleman thief A. J. Raffles, this English writer brought a sly twist to late Victorian crime fiction. His stories balance suspense, wit, and a sharp eye for social manners.
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