
A lone traveler steps off a rattling train into a desolate mountain station, his battered luggage a collage of hotel tickets from around the world. Dressed in a worn silk hat, frock coat, and polished boots, he looks out of place amid the stark Rockies, prompting curiosity among the few onlookers. The surrounding gorge roars with a wild torrent, while towering basalt cliffs and snow‑capped peaks loom in a silence that feels both grand and oppressive.
Unfazed by the breathtaking scenery, the stranger turns his gaze to the platform, his thoughts hidden behind a thoughtful stare. As the train disappears into the tunnel, he seems to have chosen this remote refuge deliberately, perhaps to escape something or to confront an inner turmoil. Listeners are invited to follow his quiet quest, watching how the stark wilderness and his restless mind intersect.
Language
en
Duration
~14 hours (820K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2007-08-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1847–1907
A Victorian novelist and journalist with a sharp eye for everyday life, he turned newsroom experience into popular fiction that mixed social observation with lively storytelling. His work ranged from journalism and novels to collaborations for the stage, making him a versatile literary figure of late 19th-century Britain.
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