Cover of The Illustrious Prince

The Illustrious Prince

  • Free to read
  • 6 hours to read
  • 34 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"The Illustrious Prince" by E. Phillips Oppenheim is a suspenseful novel written during the early 20th century. The book focuses on the enigmatic character of Mr. Hamilton Fynes, whose sudden arrival in London following a tumultuous journey on the Lusitania sets a chain of mysterious events in motion, ultimately leading to his untimely death under suspicious circumstances. At the start of the story, we are introduced to Hamilton Fynes aboard the Lusitania as he prepares for an urgent mission. After missing the evening's tide, Fynes receives a note that prompts him to leave the ship in a clandestine manner. Upon arriving in London, he seeks a special train to the city, clearly desperate to reach a destination quickly. However, his journey culminates in tragedy when he is discovered dead inside a train carriage, a victim of what appears to be a calculated murder. The initial investigation raises more questions than answers, particularly concerning Fynes' secretive nature, the mysterious papers he was carrying, and the implications of his death on the international stage. Penelope Morse, a character with connections to Fynes, becomes crucial in deciphering the complexities surrounding the case, as she grapples with her unexpected ties to the victim.

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  • Detective and mystery stories
  • Princes

Read the opening

Chapter I: Mr. Hamilton Fynes, Urgent

There was a little murmur of regret amongst the five hundred and eighty-seven saloon passengers on board the steamship Lusitania, mingled, perhaps, with a few expressions of a more violent character. After several hours of doubt, the final verdict had at last been pronounced. They had missed the tide, and no attempt was to be made to land passengers that night. Already the engines had ceased to throb, the period of unnatural quietness had commenced. Slowly, and without noticeable motion, the great liner swung round a little in the river.

A small tug, which had been hovering about for some time, came screaming alongside. There was a hiss from its wave-splashed deck, and a rocket with a blue light flashed up into the sky. A man who had formed one of the long line of passengers, leaning over the rail, watching the tug since it had come into sight, now turned away and walked briskly to the steps leading to the bridge. As it happened, the captain himself was in the act of descending. The passenger accosted him, and held out what seemed to be a letter.

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Contents

Show all 34 chapters
  1. Chapter I: Mr. Hamilton Fynes, Urgent
  2. Chapter II: The End of the Journey
  3. Chapter III: An Incident and an Accident
  4. Chapter IV: Miss Penelope Morse
  5. Chapter V: An Affair of State
  6. Chapter VI: Mr. Coulson Interviewed
  7. Chapter VII: A Fatal Despatch
  8. Chapter VIII: An Interrupted Theatre Party
  9. Chapter IX: Inspector Jacks Scores
  10. Chapter X: Mr. Coulson Outmatched
  11. Chapter XI: A Commission
  12. Chapter XII: Penelope Intervenes
  13. Chapter XIII: East and West
  14. Chapter XIV: An Engagement
  15. Chapter XV: Penelope Explains
  16. Chapter XVI: Concerning Prince Maiyo
  17. Chapter XVII: A Gay Night in Paris
  18. Chapter XVIII: Mr. Coulson Is Indiscreet
  19. Chapter XIX: A Momentous Question
  20. Chapter XX: The Answer
  21. Chapter XXI: A Clue
  22. Chapter XXII: A Breath from the East
  23. Chapter XXIII: On the Trail
  24. Chapter XXIV: Prince Maiyo Bids High
  25. Chapter XXV: Hobson’s Choice
  26. Chapter XXVI: Some Farewells
  27. Chapter XXVII: A Prisoner
  28. Chapter XXVIII: Patriotism
  29. Chapter XXIX: A Race
  30. Chapter XXX: Inspector Jacks Importunate
  31. Chapter XXXI: Goodbye!
  32. Chapter XXXII: Prince Maiyo Speaks
  33. Chapter XXXIII: Unafraid
  34. Chapter XXXIV: Banzai!

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About this edition

This free edition of The Illustrious Prince by E. Phillips Oppenheim comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #1447, released 1998-09-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery, Novels, British Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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