Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Penguin Classics (2012), Edition: Reissue, Paperback, 208 pages
Description
This fantastic anthology contains twelve superbly entertaining tales of a confidence man par excellence. An appealing gentleman thief devotes himself to repeatedly swindling a wealthy diamond magnate. This well-written collection has been specially formatted for today's e-readers by Andrews UK.
User reviews
LibraryThing member devenish
A collection of short stories about a confidence trickster preying on the millionaire of the title.
This con-man,who goes under the name of Colonel Clay is a master of disguise and can change his appearance to a remarkable degree.
He first coup is to get himself invited to a seance as a 'Mexican
In most of the other stories he manages by various methods to extract money,diamonds,bonds and cheques from the increasingly desperate millionaire,who tries unsuccessfully to capture him.
The thief pre-dates Hornung's A.J.Raffles by a few years,but is very much of the same type - a gentleman thief,that the reader can feel sympathy with.
Although the stories begin to get somewhat similar as the book progresses and the feeling that the millionaire and his helpers are rather more stupid and gullible than necessary,this still,remains after all these years a good read.
This con-man,who goes under the name of Colonel Clay is a master of disguise and can change his appearance to a remarkable degree.
He first coup is to get himself invited to a seance as a 'Mexican
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Seer' and perform a series of seemingly supernatural acts. This in front of a group of people which include Sir Charles Vandrift and his secretary Seymour Wilbraham Wentworth. As as result of his actions he relieves Sir Charles of some £5000.In most of the other stories he manages by various methods to extract money,diamonds,bonds and cheques from the increasingly desperate millionaire,who tries unsuccessfully to capture him.
The thief pre-dates Hornung's A.J.Raffles by a few years,but is very much of the same type - a gentleman thief,that the reader can feel sympathy with.
Although the stories begin to get somewhat similar as the book progresses and the feeling that the millionaire and his helpers are rather more stupid and gullible than necessary,this still,remains after all these years a good read.
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LibraryThing member Coach_of_Alva
Amusing stories about a rogue who assumes different identites to swindle a dishonest millionaire.
LibraryThing member encephalical
A good popcorn book with some sly humor and a bit of social commentary. Reminiscent of A Prince of Swindlers.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1896-7 [1896] (serial: Strand Magazine)
1980 (book: Dover)
2008 (Cosimo Books)
Physical description
208 p.
ISBN
0143106570 / 9780143106579