The Yellow Crayon

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

1849

Title

The Yellow Crayon

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a gripping tale of intrigue and espionage, an aging aristocrat discovers his wife has been abducted by a shadowy European secret society. Racing against time, he uncovers a sinister organization of nobles using murder to suppress socialism, leading to a high-stakes confrontation with emperors and princes.

Summary up to 500 words

In E. Phillips Oppenheim's *The Yellow Crayon*, the narrative follows Mr. Sabin, an elderly Englishman, who returns to his Parisian estate to find it deserted and his wife, Lucille, missing. His loyal servant, Duson, reveals that she was abducted by a mysterious group. Sabin travels to New York, where he receives a cryptic note written in yellow crayon instructing him to return to Lenox. This clue leads him to uncover the existence of the 'Order of the Yellow Crayon,' a secret society of European aristocrats. Ostensibly formed to resist socialism, the Order is revealed to be a sinister organization employing murderers and corrupting police forces to achieve its ends. Sabin's investigation takes him to Vienna, where he confronts Emperor Frederick. He exposes the Order's true nature and the treachery of its acting head, Prince Saxe Leinitzer. The Prince, fearing the Emperor's wrath, flees to South America. The Emperor confirms that the Order has been crushed. Sabin and Lucille are eventually reunited, having survived a plot involving assassination and political ruin. The story explores themes of duty, deception, and the dark underbelly of high society. The novel opens with Mr. Sabin in a state of deep contemplation at his home, which he soon abandons to travel to America. In New York, he interacts with Lady Carey, a woman of intrigue who warns him against leaving the country. Sabin investigates the disappearance of Lucille, discovering that she was taken by the Order's agents. He utilizes his wit and determination to navigate the dangers posed by the society, which operates through a hierarchy of membership, with the most dangerous third degree involving criminal alliances. Upon reaching Vienna, Sabin presents irrefutable evidence to the Emperor regarding the Order's corruption and the Prince's involvement in the deaths of several individuals, including a Hungarian parliamentarian and a British statesman. The Emperor, initially unaware of the society's violent methods, is horrified by the revelations. He summons the Prince, who, realizing his position is untenable, escapes to South America. With the Order dismantled and the Prince in exile, Sabin is cleared of danger. The novel concludes with the couple's reunion, celebrating the triumph of justice over the shadowy machinations of the aristocratic elite. Through its intricate plot, the book highlights the dangers of unchecked power and the resilience required to expose hidden conspiracies.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery