"Kate Plus 10" by Edgar Wallace follows the story of Lord Flanborough, a dyspeptic and unpleasant earl, who is dealing with the theft of a valuable pearl chain belonging to his daughter, Lady Moya. After discovering the pearls are missing, Moya suspects her maid, Martin, who had access to her room. Lord Flanborough calls in Inspector Michael Pretherston, an old acquaintance of Moya, to investigate the theft. As the investigation unfolds, Moya recounts the events leading up to the loss of the pearls, revealing her frustration and fatigue from the evening prior. Pretherston, using his keen observational skills, inspects Moya's wardrobe and discovers the pearls caught on a hook of her fur cloak, explaining the apparent theft as a misunderstanding. The story explores themes of class, social dynamics, and the absurdities of aristocratic life, culminating in the recovery of the pearls and the resolution of the misunderstanding, while also highlighting the tension between Moya and her father regarding their differing views on social status and propriety.
By Edgar Wallace · First published 2009 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Adventure · 19 chapters