The Mystery of the Green Ray

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26637

Title

The Mystery of the Green Ray

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set against the backdrop of World War I, this suspenseful adventure follows barrister Ronald Ewart and his friends as they navigate the looming conflict while unraveling a mysterious plot involving a stolen dog, a blind girl, and a dangerous new invention. Blending romance, espionage, and scientific intrigue, the novel delivers a thrilling tale of heroism and discovery.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the looming threat of World War I, William Le Queux's *The Mystery of the Green Ray* weaves a tale of espionage, scientific intrigue, and personal sacrifice. The story centers on barrister Ronald Ewart and his friends, who are enjoying a river trip when their journey is shattered by the abduction of Myra McLeod's beloved dog, Sholto. Myra, who has recently lost her sight, becomes the focal point of a sinister plot orchestrated by the German spy Hilderman. A mysterious oculist, Mr. Garnesk, arrives to investigate Myra's condition, uncovering a connection between her blindness and the stolen dog. As the narrative unfolds, the group discovers a secret German base hidden within a Scottish loch. Here, Hilderman is testing a terrifying new weapon: the 'Green Ray.' This device utilizes a unique combination of violet and orange light rays passed through specific crystals to create a beam that acts as a powerful telescope and a blinding searchlight. The weapon was designed to pierce fog, detect invisible gases, and incapacitate enemy forces, representing a significant military advantage for Germany. The protagonists face a race against time to neutralize this threat before war erupts. Through daring escapes, confrontations with German agents, and the timely intervention of the Royal Navy, the British team manages to secure the secret of the ray. The climax involves a dramatic rescue operation where the Green Ray is activated, inadvertently curing Myra's blindness while simultaneously blinding the German operatives. Hilderman is killed, and the weapon is secured for the Allies. The novel explores themes of patriotism, the dangers of unchecked scientific advancement, and the resilience of the human spirit. It concludes with Myra fully restored to sight, Ronald Ewart appointed to the Naval Intelligence Department, and the Green Ray becoming a crucial asset for the British war effort, ensuring a significant strategic victory for the Allies.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26637.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg26637.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 00:01 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• Science Fiction