The Green Rust

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

24929

Title

The Green Rust

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In Edgar Wallace's *The Green Rust*, a dying millionaire entrusts his fortune and a secret mission to his lawyer friend. As the lawyer races to find a missing girl, he uncovers a vast international conspiracy involving a sinister doctor, a coded message system, and a plot to destroy global wheat supplies. Blending suspense, crime, and social commentary, this novel delivers a gripping tale of betrayal, redemption, and the fight against organized evil.

Summary up to 500 words

In Edgar Wallace's *The Green Rust*, the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a sinister international conspiracy threatening global food security. The story begins with the death of wealthy shipbuilder John Millinborn in his Sussex cottage. Before passing, he entrusts his fortune and the search for a missing girl, Oliva, to his lawyer friend, James Kitson. Millinborn's demise is interrupted by the arrival of Dr. van Heerden, a mysterious German physician who claims to be Millinborn's friend. Shortly after, a shabby intruder is seen fleeing the estate, hinting at the darker forces at play. Dr. van Heerden is revealed to be the mastermind behind "The Green Rust," a vast scheme to starve the world by destroying wheat supplies. His plan involves sending a coded message to agents in Germany via homing pigeons to halt production. Oliva Cresswell, the girl Millinborn spoke of, is actually being held captive by van Heerden. She discovers his plot and attempts to stop him. In a tense confrontation, she tries to shoot van Heerden but fails due to a safety catch on her pistol. Just then, Stanford Beale and Detective McNorton arrive. Beale, a former alcoholic turned detective, and McNorton expose van Heerden's conspiracy. They arrest the doctor and his accomplice, Bridgers, after Beale releases thirty pigeons carrying the magic word that alerts authorities to stop the scheme. The narrative then shifts to a subplot involving Beale's own personal life. He is involved in a legal case concerning a fraudulent marriage contracted under the influence of drugs. Beale must navigate the complexities of this situation while dealing with the aftermath of the Green Rust conspiracy. The novel concludes with the resolution of both the international crime and Beale's personal legal entanglements, highlighting themes of justice, the corruption of power, and the resilience of the individual against overwhelming odds.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg24929.epub

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2026-07-04 03:59 UTC

Categories

• Mystery