Fergus Hume 
The Harlequin Opal (Vol. 1-3) 
Gothic Novel

Four school friends arrange an appointment in 15 years and are committed to keeping it, no matter what surprises and unforeseen adventures are prepared for them by life. A novel starts with the reflections of one of the protagonists on whether the others will keep the promise or he is the only one to keep the foolish promise of childhood. All four come. Father Time has given each of them a peculiar role in life. One is a respected doctor. The other one is an archeologist. The third one is a correspondent. The fourth hero is a traveler. Neither of them is married, and that means they are free to depart from the monotonous routine of their loves into an exciting journey full of mysteries, betrayal, love, politics, and adventures that will keep the reader suspended from the first to the last page of the book.

About the author

Fergus Hume was an English detective novel writer and playwright whose works enjoyed wide popularity at the end of the Victorian era. His first novel, ‘The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, ‘ was one of the period’s most successful crime fiction books. Yet, this fame didn’t bring him much money since he sold the copyright. Nevertheless, the book has inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to create his famous ‘A Study in Scarlet, ‘ and John Sutherland called it the most sensationally popular crime and detective novel of the century. His other works are ‘Professor Brankel’s Secret’ and ‘Madame Midas.’