A Coin of Edward VII

The Albany Evening Journal says: "Fully as interesting as his former books, and keeps one guessing to the end. The story begins with the murder of an old lady, with no apparent cause for the crime, and in unraveling the mystery the author is very clever in hiding the real criminal. A pleasing romance runs through the book, which adds to the interest."

12mo, Cloth bound, $1.25

THE YELLOW HOLLY

The Philadelphia Public Ledger says: "'The Yellow Holly' outdoes any of his earlier stories. It is one of those tales that the average reader of fiction of this sort thinks he knows all about after he has read the first few chapters. Those who have become admirers of Mr. Hume cannot afford to miss 'The Yellow Holly.'" 12mo, Cloth bound, $1.25

A COIN OF EDWARD VII.

The Philadelphia Item says: "This book is quite up to the level of the high standard which Mr. Hume has set for himself in 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' and 'The Rainbow Feather.' It is a brilliant, stirring adventure, showing the author's prodigious inventiveness, his well of imagination never running dry."

12mo, Cloth bound, $1.25

THE PAGAN'S CUP

The Nashville American says: "The plot is intricate with mystery and probability neatly dovetailed and the solution is a series of surprises skillfully retarded to whet the interest of the reader. It is excellently written and the denouement so skillfully concealed that one's interest and curiosity are kept on edge till the very last. It will certainly be a popular book with a very large class of readers."

12mo, Cloth bound, $1.25

THE MANDARIN'S FAN

The Nashville American says: "The book is most attractive and thoroughly novel in plot and construction. The mystery of the curious fan, and its being the key to such wealth and power is decidedly original and unique. Nearly every character in the book seems possible of accusation. It is just the sort of plot in which Hume is at his best. It is a complex tangle, full of splendid climaxes. Few authors have a charm equal to that of Mr. Hume's mystery tales."

12mo, Cloth bound, $1.25

G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY

PUBLISHERS NEW YORK

* * * * * *

[Illustration: "HE SAW THE FIGURE OF A WOMAN LYING FACE DOWNWARD ON THE SNOW."--Page 45.]

A COIN OF EDWARD VII.

A Detective Story

by

FERGUS HUME

Author of "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab"; "The Pagan's Cup"; "Claude Duval of 95"; "The Rainbow Feather," Etc.

G. W. Dillingham Company Publishers New York

Copyright, 1903, By G. W. Dillingham Company

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

I. THE CHRISTMAS TREE 7

II. AN ANONYMOUS LETTER 16

III. A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR 26

IV. THE CHURCHYARD 37

V. AFTERWARDS 46

VI. THE CASE AGAINST ANNE 55

VII. OLIVER MORLEY 65

VIII. THE IRONY OF FATE 74

IX. A STRANGE DISCOVERY 84

X. ON A FRESH TRAIL 96

XI. PRINCESS KARACSAY 106

XII. MRS. PARRY'S TEA 118

XIII. MRS. BENKER REAPPEARS 129

XIV. TREASURE TROVE 139

XV. AN AWKWARD INTERVIEW 148

XVI. THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS 159

XVII. PART OF THE TRUTH 169

XVIII. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT 180

XIX. THE CLUE LEADS TO LONDON 190

XX. MANY A SLIP 'TWIXT CUP AND LIP 201

XXI. A STORY OF THE PAST 212

XXII. OLGA'S EVIDENCE 223

XXIII. MARK DANE 233

XXIV. A RAT IN A CORNER 245

XXV. A CATASTROPHE 259

XXVI. THE END OF THE TROUBLE 272

CHAPTER I

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Two old ladies sat in the corner of the drawing-room. The younger--a colonial cousin of the elder--was listening eagerly to gossip which dealt with English society in general, and Rickwell society in particular. They presumably assisted in the entertainment of the children already gathered tumultuously round the Christmas tree, provided by Mr. Morley; but Mrs. Parry's budget of scandal was too interesting to permit the relaxing of Mrs. McKail's attention.