Leslie Maughan, recognized for her keen mind, has unofficially been promoted to Scotland Yard’s first female investigator. Chancing upon a book of poetry once owned by a Peter Dawlish, convicted forger, Leslie delves into the details of the convict’s case and becomes convinced of Peter’s innocence. Befriending Peter after his release from prison, Leslie discovers a link between him, a lady of high society, and a princess, after the violent death of a butler who has his employer’s valuable emerald in his possession. The trail takes a twist when it’s discovered that Peter may have a child he knew nothing about, and that his landlady has been been using her home for more than room and board. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Lady Raytham drew aside the long velvet curtains and looked down into Berkeley Square. It was half-past four o'clock on a cheerless February evening. Rain and sleet were falling, and a thin yellow mist added to the gloom of the dying day. An interminable string of cars and taxi-cabs was turning towards Berkeley Street, their shining black roofs reflecting the glare of the overhead lights that had just then hissed and spluttered to life. She looked blankly towards the desolation of the gardens, a place of bare-limbed trees and shivering shrubs - stared, as though she expected to see some fog wraith take a definite and menacing shape, and give tangible form to the shadows that menaced reason and life.

The rapid growth of gemological sciences and mineralogy demands a dictionary such as this for gemologists, mineralogists, geologists, jewel dealers, industry and hobbyists. With some 16,000 comprehensive definitions, supplemented by more than 250 diagrams and figures, this is a one-stop reference to any matter dealing with gems and gemology.

This set includes all three books of the Buccaneers Series: Port Royal, The Pirate and His Lady, and Jamaican Sunset. In Port Royal, the Caribbean Sea teems with piracy and privateering as Captain Baret "Foxworth" Buckington searches for his father. Though declared legally dead, Baret is certain his father is alive, perhaps being held prisoner. Willing to jeopardize his title, his inheritance, and his life in order to find his father, he sets sail and swears vengeance upon Spain. Amidst the slavery, brutality, and cruel gossip on a Jamican Sugar estate, Miss Emerald Harwick seeks an escape. Rejected by her father's wealthy family, Emerald is constantly reminded of her deceased mother's notorious reputation and her father's escapades on the high seas. Only two things keep her going--working in the Christian Singing School and her plans to secretly marry an indentured servant. In desperation, they plan to leave Jamaica. But Emerald's father has other plans! As their paths intertwine, Emerald and Baret set out on a journey filled with danger, intrigue, and romance. In The Pirate and His Lady, Jamaica is a hotbed of piracy, violence, and spiritual conflict. Emerald Harwick is caught amidst each. Her fiance, Captain Baret "Foxworth" Buckington, defies the laws of the Jamaican Council and sails with notorious arch pirate Henry Morgan, hoping to find his imprisoned father among the Spanish dons. Her marriage delayed, Jamaican law forces Emerald to also put her heart's desire on hold: teaching Christianity to the African slaves. She fights disappointment and seeks an end to the spiritual conflict with her culture. Emerald is caught in a web of disillusionment, anger, and fear. As Spanish sympathizers gain the ear of the king, she must face a most frightening possibility: If caught, Baret will be arrested and hanged at Execution Dock. In Jamaican Sunset, Emerald Harwick, publicly betrothed to Baret Buckington, can scarcely contain her joy. She will manage her plantation's Great House on Jamaica until his return from sailing with buccaneer Henry Morgan, and then they will marry. Meanwhile, she will begin a singing school and translate the African slave chants God's songs of redemption. But then problems out of the past put in an unexpected appearance. Emerald is abducted and finds herself on an unscheduled sea voyage. That long-ago stolen treasure from the Prince Philip comes into play once more. Baret hopes to free his imprisoned father and unearth the treasure. But Baret's enemy--pirate Rafael Levasseur--emerges as a final threat to Emerald's cherished hopes. Can the God in whom she trusts indeed cause all things to work together for good?