
In the dim corridors of an old manor, the household staff wrestles with a sudden surge of strangers arriving just after the patriarch’s death. The butler, the cook, the footman, and the housemaid swap weary gossip about forbidden wines, ancient curses, and the mysterious instructions left behind by their late master. Their uneasy routine is upended as a solemn Hindoo visitor, bearing an aura of solemnity, arrives with cryptic concerns that hint at something far beyond ordinary mourning.
As the servants scramble to obey the late owner’s precise, yet perplexing, wishes—serving exotic bottles and obeying obscure rituals—the atmosphere thickens with suspicion and superstition. Whispers of distant Indian princesses, hidden fortunes, and a looming “curse” begin to echo through the once‑silent halls, leaving each character to wonder whether they are merely caretakers of a house or unwilling participants in a larger, tangled plot. The stage is set for secrets to surface, but the true depth of the mystery remains just out of reach.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (190K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
2008-05-29
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1831–1909
Best known for lively adventure stories and school tales, this Victorian writer also worked as a journalist, editor, and teacher. His books were especially popular with younger readers, blending brisk action with a strong sense of place and character.
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