This is pretty good, if a bit predictable after the few few chapters. Like a lot of his novels written just before WW1 (1914 in this case) it's set amidst a backdrop of the various nations of the world gathering for war, only needing a spark to set it off.
In this case, the vanished messenger, who has been waylaid by a mysterious recluse on the coast of England. But why? To prevent war or to cause it?
As in his best works, he ratchets up the tension quite nicely. (And of course, like all his books, there is a romantic subplot)
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