
The Bastable children live in a modest semi‑detached house on Lewisham Road, their world turned upside down after their mother’s death and their father’s dwindling fortunes. With pocket‑money scarce and the household losing its former comforts, the six siblings—Dora, Oswald, Dicky, the twins Alice and Noel, and little Horace—feel the sting of a family that once knew better days. Their father’s illness and the loss of servants only deepen the sense that something must be done.
Oswald, ever the schemer, proposes a treasure hunt to restore the house’s lost wealth. Each child brings a unique talent: Dora mends what she can, Dicky is quick with numbers, Alice knits bright scarves that become makeshift banners, and the twins turn play into daring “shipwreck” expeditions. Together they devise a series of inventive plans, from secret maps to daring forays into the garden, all driven by the hope of finding a hidden fortune.
Their lively camaraderie and boundless imagination turn ordinary chores into grand adventures, setting the stage for a series of clever escapades that will test their resolve and bring the family closer together.
Full title
The Story of the Treasure Seekers Being the Adventures of the Bastable Children in Search of a Fortune
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (272K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jo Churcher, and David Widger
Release date
1997-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1924
Best known for blending everyday family life with adventure and magic, this pioneering English writer helped shape modern children’s fiction. Her stories, including The Railway Children and Five Children and It, still feel lively, funny, and warm.
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