The Clean Sweeper by Edgar Wallace
The narrative unfolds in a colonial African setting, where Mr. Commissioner Sanders grapples with the challenges posed by the old king of the mountains, who conducts raids into the Ochori territory, abducting women and livestock. Sanders, accompanied by Bosambo, the chief of the Ochori, confronts Buliki, the king's envoy, demanding an end to the raids. Buliki initially boasts of his king's power but quickly realizes Sanders's authority and the potential consequences of defiance. The old king, upon receiving Buliki's report of the meeting, plots revenge against Sanders, encouraged by Joe the Trader, who harbors a deep-seated animosity towards the Commissioner. Joe suggests luring Sanders into a trap under the guise of a palaver, exploiting the king's desire for vengeance. The king, intrigued by the prospect of capturing Sanders, agrees to the plan. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Tibbetts, nicknamed Bones, is introduced as a young officer with aspirations of musical prowess, often causing chaos with his instruments. His antics draw the ire of his superiors, particularly Captain Hamilton, who struggles to maintain order amidst Bones's musical distractions. The arrival of a new Administrator, Sir Macalister Campbell-Cairns, adds to the tension, as he seeks to impose strict regulations on the territories, including prohibiting extrajudicial executions. As the story progresses, Sir Macalister decides to visit the old king's territory, disregarding warnings from Sanders and Bosambo about the potential dangers. Despite Bones's attempts to dissuade him, the Administrator insists on proceeding, believing in the power of diplomacy. The journey to the mountains is fraught with tension, as Bosambo gathers warriors in anticipation of conflict. The climax occurs when the Administrator and his party are ambushed by the old king's forces. However, the ambush backfires when the sound of Bones's bagpipes terrifies the attackers, causing them to flee in panic. The old king's plan collapses, and Joe the Trader is mortally wounded in the chaos. In the aftermath, Sanders and Bones return to the Ochori city, reflecting on the events. The story concludes with a sense of irony, as the very music that Bones cherished inadvertently saved them from disaster, while the old king's ambitions crumbled in the face of unexpected circumstances. The narrative explores themes of power, colonial authority, and the unpredictable nature of conflict in a colonial landscape.
By Edgar Wallace · First published 1928 · Genre: Adventure, Colonial Fiction, Historical Fiction · 7,940 words
First lines
The soldiers of the old king who lives beyond the mountains came down into the Ochori country and took back with them ten women and forty goats -- and this was the year of the sickness, when goats were very valuable. And a week later they came again, and in yet another week they repeated the raid.
Mr. Commissioner Sanders sent an urgent message into the old king's country and journeyed to the Ochori to meet the old man's envoy.
What this Textopian page supports
The Clean Sweeper is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edgar Wallace, dated 1928 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edgar Wallace
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Colonial Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama, Thriller
- Length: 7,940 words
- Structure: 1 section, 177 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
- The Square Emerald by Edgar Wallace
- The Vanished Messenger by E. Phillips Oppenheim
- Bones And The Bee by Edgar Wallace
- The Poisoned Goblet by Arthur Gask
- The Curved Blades by Carolyn Wells
- The Twister by Edgar Wallace
Genres
- Adventure — The plot involves exploration and encounters in a foreign land, featuring themes of conflict and survival.
- Colonial Fiction — The story is set in a colonial context, exploring the dynamics between British officials and indigenous peoples.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative reflects historical events and colonial attitudes of the time.
- Drama — The book contains intense character interactions and conflicts that drive the narrative.
Tags
mystery · crime · detective · thriller · suspense · investigation · murder · plot twist · secrets · intrigue · suspicion · clues