The Dragon's Secret

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25770

Title

The Dragon's Secret

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A thrilling mystery set on a windswept October beach, *The Dragon's Secret* follows sixteen-year-old Leslie Crane and her aunt as they uncover a hidden treasure while fending off a mysterious intruder. Blending suspense with heartwarming character development, this vintage adventure explores themes of loyalty, bravery, and the unexpected bonds formed in isolation.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in a desolate coastal village during the off-season of October, *The Dragon's Secret* by Augusta Huiell Seaman follows Leslie Crane, a spirited sixteen-year-old girl caring for her nervous aunt, Miss Marcia. Seeking solitude, Leslie and her dog, Rags, explore the quiet beach and discover a mysterious bronze box hidden in the sand, rumored to be the 'Dragon's Secret.' Their peace is shattered by the arrival of a burly, limping man searching for the box, leading Leslie to suspect the involvement of Miss Ramsay, a rival claimant. The narrative unfolds through tense encounters as Leslie and her friend Phyllis must protect the secret from the intruder while navigating Miss Ramsay's sudden, charming transformation. Initially perceived as a difficult woman, Miss Ramsay (who introduces herself as Eileen) appears with a new, affable demeanor, claiming to be a granddaughter visiting her ill grandfather. The girls investigate the closed-up cottage next door, 'Curlew's Nest,' and confront the mysterious man with the limp. Suspense builds as they deduce that Miss Ramsay is not the only person involved in the mystery of the box. The plot resolves when the rightful owner, Mr. Ramsay, arrives with his granddaughter, Eileen. It is revealed that the box contains ancient Chinese paper money, a valuable historical artifact rather than simple jewels. Mr. Ramsay explains that he rescued these items from a mob in Peking years prior and carried them for years until a British Museum expert identified their immense value. He expresses deep gratitude to the girls for their help in recovering the item and for protecting him from criminals who had been hired to steal it. The story concludes with the group celebrating the resolution. Mr. Ramsay rewards the girls, providing funds that allow them to pursue their dreams: Eileen plans a trip to visit her new friends, Ted can afford expensive college courses, Phyllis can finally learn music, and Leslie can ensure the health of her younger brother, Ralph. Mr. Ramsay also gifts Rags a new collar. The novel balances mystery with wholesome sentimentality, characteristic of early 20th-century juvenile literature, ending with Mr. Ramsay reflecting on the strange events at 'Curlew's Nest' before departing for England.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg25770.epub

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2026-07-05 20:02 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery