In Colonel Thorndyke's Secret, G. A. Henty weaves a classic mystery and inheritance drama set in 18th-century England. The story follows the young and capable Mark Thorndyke, who lives a quiet life with his mother after the death of his father, the younger brother of the wealthy Colonel Thorndyke. The Colonel, a veteran of the East India Company, returns to his English estate, Crowswood, a reclusive and seemingly misanthropic figure. He takes a particular interest in his nephew Mark, appreciating his strength and character. The central plot revolves around a hidden diamond, a magnificent gem of great value that the Colonel has brought back from India. He lives in constant fear, having survived one attempted robbery and believing that shadowy figures from his past are still seeking the jewel. The "secret" of the title is the diamond’s hiding place, which the Colonel confides only to Mark. Shortly after revealing the secret, the Colonel is found murdered, and the diamond is missing. Mark becomes the prime suspect, and to clear his name and secure his inheritance, he must embark on a dangerous quest to find the real culprits. The novel unfolds as a classic whodunit, involving a mysterious Indian servant, a ruthless squire, and a network of criminals. It is a tale of suspense, adventure, and the importance of honesty and courage, typical of Henty’s work, blending a domestic English setting with the exotic echoes of Britain’s colonial empire.

Table of Contents:

• Colonel Thorndyke's Secret. Part 1

• Colonel Thorndyke's Secret. Part 2

• Colonel Thorndyke's Secret. Part 3

• Colonel Thorndyke's Secret. Part 4

• Colonel Thorndyke's Secret. Part 5

• Colonel Thorndyke's Secret. Part 6

• Colonel Thorndyke's Secret. Part 7