The Splendid Things by Edgar wallace
The narrative revolves around two highly coveted items known as the Splendid Things, hidden by the Inner N'gombi tribe beneath a stone in a riverbed. These items, referred to as execution knives, are shrouded in mystery and are only known to a select few within the tribe. The story begins with the arrival of an American Anthropological Commission in the River Territory, led by Dr. Wade, who seeks to study the local tribes and their customs. The British Commissioner, Sanders, is wary of the Commission's intentions and the potential for conflict over the Splendid Things. As the Commission interacts with local tribes, they express interest in acquiring a specimen of the Splendid Things, but the locals are uncooperative. Bones, a quirky and somewhat bumbling aide to Sanders, boasts about his knowledge of the Splendid Things and promises to procure them for Doran Campbell, the beautiful daughter of the Administrator. Doran, who has recently returned from England and is half-engaged to a wealthy man, challenges Bones to deliver on his promise, which he takes seriously despite the dangers involved. The plot thickens when a local chief, B'firi, faces a domestic crisis involving his wife, M'Lini, who has fallen in love with an Akasava fisherman. The ensuing conflict leads to M'Lini and the fisherman being executed with the Splendid Things, which are then hidden away. Bones embarks on a quest to find the knives, believing it to be a chance to impress Doran. During his investigation, Bones encounters various tribal leaders and navigates the complexities of local customs. Meanwhile, two brothers from the Akasava tribe, seeking revenge for their slain sibling, discover that B'firi is the keeper of the Splendid Things. They capture him and extract the location of the knives, which they retrieve from the riverbed. Bones, unaware of the brothers' actions, returns to Headquarters empty-handed but is later surprised to learn that the knives have been found and brought to Sanders by M'laka, one of the Akasava brothers. This revelation coincides with a series of misunderstandings and miscommunications regarding the knives' whereabouts, leading to a diplomatic incident between the British and American governments. As the story unfolds, Bones' initial deception regarding the knives comes to light, causing tension with Doran, who feels betrayed. Despite the chaos, the narrative concludes with a mix of humor and irony, as Bones navigates the fallout from his actions while still harboring feelings for Doran. The tale explores themes of ambition, cultural misunderstandings, and the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of colonial Africa.
By Edgar wallace · First published 1928 · Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Anthropological Fiction · 5,636 words
First lines
THE two Splendid Things which the people of the Inner N'gombi prized above all other communal possessions were kept in a secret place under a great stone in the bed of a river. Not a great river, because the N'gombi folk have an antipathy to water that runs in any volume.
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The Splendid Things is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edgar wallace, dated 1928 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edgar wallace
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Anthropological Fiction, Humor, Romance
- Length: 5,636 words
- Structure: 1 section, 159 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Adventure — The plot revolves around an expedition in Africa, featuring exploration, danger, and the pursuit of mysterious artifacts.
- Mystery — The narrative includes elements of intrigue surrounding the 'Splendid Things' and the secrets of the Inner N'gombi people.
- Anthropological Fiction — The story engages with themes of anthropology, cultural practices, and the clash between Western and indigenous perspectives.
- Humor — The writing style incorporates comedic elements, particularly through the character of Bones and his interactions.
Tags
mystery · adventure · suspense · crime · detective · thriller · intrigue · plot twist · secrets · betrayal · romance · wealth