The Secret House

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26176

Title

The Secret House

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a tale of suspense and intrigue, a destitute Pole named Poltavo is hired by a mysterious, veiled editor to manage a blackmail ring targeting London's aristocracy. When the operation turns deadly, Poltavo becomes trapped in a secret underground house controlled by a ruthless millionaire. With police closing in and his life hanging in the balance, he must navigate a labyrinth of traps, electric shocks, and moral dilemmas to survive and expose the criminal empire.

Summary up to 500 words

In Edgar Wallace's *The Secret House*, the narrative unfolds around Poltavo, a destitute Polish immigrant hired by a mysterious figure known only as Mr. Brown. Poltavo's initial task is to translate and summarize scandalous letters sent by hysterical servants for a publication called *Gossip's Corner*. Unbeknownst to him, this operation is a sophisticated blackmail ring orchestrated by Gregory Farrington, a wealthy and dangerous millionaire who resides in a fortified mansion filled with traps, hidden rooms, and an intricate elevator system. Poltavo soon realizes that the 'Gossip's Corner' letters are not for publication but are threats used to extort money from society's elite. His life takes a dark turn when he is captured and imprisoned in the house's underground chambers. There, he is threatened with death unless he serves Farrington, overseen by the cruel Dr. Fall, who manages torture and the elimination of those who cross Farrington. Detective T. B. Smith arrives to investigate but is also captured and subjected to Farrington's cruel experiments involving electricity and psychological torment. The tension escalates as Farrington plans to eliminate both Poltavo and Smith, revealing the house's secret elevator system that allows him to move rooms between floors. However, the police, led by Detective Ela, manage to cut the power to the house, disabling the dynamo and trapping the criminals. In a climactic confrontation, Ela shoots Farrington, ending his reign of terror, while Smith, having escaped his bindings, delivers a final quip about the quality of the ammunition used. The narrative explores themes of class disparity, the corruption of the upper classes, the resilience of the individual against overwhelming power, and the moral complexities of justice and revenge.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Mystery