
CHAPTER I THE WOLVES
CHAPTER II THE LAMB
CHAPTER III A DEAD MAN’S ORDERS
CHAPTER IV “HE WILL BE JUST IN TIME!”
CHAPTER V THE INITIAL PACES
CHAPTER VI MRS. WALSINGHAM AT HOME
CHAPTER VII CARSDALE’S CAREFULNESS
CHAPTER VIII A PLEDGE REDEEMED
CHAPTER IX PLAIN SPEECH
CHAPTER X NEWS FOR MRS. WALSINGHAM
In the bustling spring of London, a fresh‑faced twenty‑one‑year‑old is about to entrust a staggering three‑hundred thousand pounds to the hands of the seasoned firm Leverton & Carsdale. The letter announcing the fortune lands on the desk of John Carsdale, a sharply dressed broker whose confidence is matched only by his cynicism. As the city awakens, Carsdale peers out the window, already weighing the profit he could extract from an innocent youth’s trust, while the scent of blooming flowers masks the cold calculations inside his office.
The narrative tightens around Carsdale’s polished veneer—his reassuring smile, immaculate appearance, and the subtle power he wields over those around him, including the diligent Sylvie and the eager clerk who delivers the news. Their interactions hint at a world where charm disguises ambition, and where the promise of “opportunity” may conceal more ruthless intentions than anyone anticipates. The stage is set for a clash of naiveté and seasoned greed, inviting listeners to watch the delicate dance of manipulation unfold.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (481K characters)
Release date
Jul 4, 2026
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1863–1935
A prolific English writer of more than 230 books, J. S. Fletcher moved effortlessly between Yorkshire history, rural fiction, journalism, and fast-paced detective stories. His mysteries, including The Middle Temple Murder, helped popularize the journalist-sleuth and remain engaging examples of early crime fiction.
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