The Chase of the Ruby

The Speaker says: 'A story of the most terrific kind is duly recorded in this extremely powerful book. The skill with which its fantastic horrors are presented to us is undeniable.'

The Daily Graphic says: 'It is the kind of book which you put down only for the purpose of turning up the gas and making sure that no person or thing is standing behind your chair; and it is a book which no one will put down until finished, except for the reason above described.'

The Glasgow Herald says: 'The weird horror of this being grows upon the reader. It is difficult, if not impossible, to lay down this book when once begun.'

The Academy says: '"Dracula," by Mr Bram Stoker, was creepy, but Mr Marsh goes one, oh! many more than one, better. This surprising and ingenious story succeeds in producing that sensation of horror which should make the flesh of even the least susceptible reader creep.'

Answers says: 'Mr Marsh's famous novel is one of the most enthrallingly interesting narratives of the past few years. I strongly advise all my readers to order the book at once.'

The Literary World says: 'An ingenious, weird, and thrilling story, narrated with a clearness of style and a fulness of incident which hold the reader's attention from first to last.'

The St James's Budget says: 'The frontispiece is a nightmare, and the terrors are thrillingly described. One is compelled to read it to the end.'

The Birmingham Daily Gazette says: 'A powerful and vigorous story of a most terrible character, told with skill and ingenuity. It is even more strange and mysterious than Bulwer's "Zanoni."'

* * * * *

London: SKEFFINGTON & SON, 163 Piccadilly, W. Publishers to Her Majesty The Queen and to H.R.H. The Prince of Wales And at all Libraries and Railway Bookstalls

THE

Chase of the Ruby

BY

RICHARD MARSH

AUTHOR OF

'THE BEETLE: A MYSTERY,' 'IN FULL CRY,' 'FRIVOLITIES,' ETC.

LONDON SKEFFINGTON & SON, 163 PICCADILLY

Publishers to Her Majesty The Queen AND TO His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

1900

CONTENTS

CHAP.

I. GHOSTS IN AFRICA.

II. THE QUEST ORDAINED.

III. MISS BROAD COMMANDS.

IV. MR HOLLAND FAILS.

V. A WOMAN SCORNED.

VI. MISS BROAD COMMANDS A SECOND TIME.

VII. THE BOTTOM DRAWER.

VIII. THE LADY--AND THE GENTLEMAN.

IX. THE FLYMAN.

X. SHE WISHES THAT SHE HADN'T.

XI. THE PURSUIT OF THE GENTLEMAN.

XII. THE TENDER MERCIES OF TWO LADIES.

XIII. VISITORS FOR MISS CASATA.

XIV. WHO KNOCKS?

XV. AN HONOURABLE RETREAT.

XVI. THE FINDING OF THE RUBY AND THE LOCKING OF THE DOOR.

XVII. THE FIGURES ON THE BED.

XVIII. REINFORCED.

XIX. STILL WITH A SMILE.

XX. HOW THE CHASE WAS ENDED.

The Chase of the Ruby

CHAPTER I

GHOSTS IN AFRICA

'Upon my word, this is--' He hesitated, then chose another form of words with which to conclude his sentence. 'This is extraordinary.'

He allowed the paper to flutter from between his fingers, stood staring at nothing, then, stooping, picked up the sheet of blue post from where it had fallen at his feet.

'Extraordinary!' he repeated.

He regarded it and handled it as if it had been some uncanny thing--though, on the face of it, it was nothing of the kind. It was a formal letter addressed to 'Guy Holland, Esq., 37A Craven Street, W.C.' It began 'Dear Sir,' and ended 'Yr. obedt. servant, SAML. COLLYER.' Between the beginning and the end it informed him that his uncle, George Burton, had died at Nice on February 23, and that the writer would feel obliged if he would call upon him at his earliest possible convenience.