The Gates of Dawn by Fergus Hume
The story revolves around the mysterious disappearance of Lady Mary Sutherland from her husband's yacht during a voyage to Australia. The investigation that follows uncovers a web of deceit, blackmail, and murder, leading to a surprising revelation about Lady Mary's past.
By Fergus Hume · First published 1892 · Genre: Adventure, Romance, Fantasy · 30 chapters · 75,903 words
First lines
The caravan rolled slowly along the dusty road with creakings and groanings and jingling of horse-bells. It was painted a dark-green colour, with white-curtained windows picked out in rose pink, and bright red shafts and wheels. The corrugated iron roof showed no signs of exposure to wind, rain, or sun, while the brasswork on door and harness glittered like fine gold. Evidently it was quite new, and this was its first journey into rural England. The sleek black animal that drew the gaily tinted structure picked his steps leisurely; his driver strolled alongside with sauntering step and whistling lip. A complacent fox-terrier followed at his master's heels with an observant eye for stray rabbits. Man, and horse, and dog, and house on wheels looked fitter for play than for work. There was something exasperating in their idle looks and lazy meanderings. A holiday company in holiday humour.
What this Textopian page supports
The Gates of Dawn is listed on Textopian as a novel by Fergus Hume, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Fergus Hume
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Romance, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Mystery
- Length: 75,903 words
- Structure: 30 chapters, 1,575 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Gates of Dawn by Fergus Hume
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Gates of Dawn?
- How does this novel by Fergus Hume fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey through rural England, encountering various characters and experiences that shape his quest.
- Romance — Themes of love and relationships are central, particularly the protagonist's reflections on love and the gipsy's prophecy about two women.
- Fantasy — The presence of mystical elements, such as the gipsy's fortune-telling and the concept of fate, adds a fantastical layer to the narrative.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and descriptive, focusing on character development and philosophical musings.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Crime Fiction · Detective Novel · Victorian Era · London Setting · Murder Mystery · Whodunit · Classic Detective Story · Gothic Atmosphere · Dark Secrets
Contents
- The Pleasures of the Road
- Palmistry
- Tithonus
- The Peacock in Jackdaw's Feathers
- Tinker Tim
- The First Letter to a London Friend
- Diana of Farbis
- The Recluse
- Village Gossip
- Parson Jarner
- Farbis Court
- The Portrait in the Gallery
- Under the Greenwood Tree
- Dan's Secret
- Retrospection
- Afternoon Tea
- The Second Letter to a London Friend
- An Elizabethan Ancestor
- The Pale Ladye
- In the Oak Parlour
- The Days Pass by
- A Dreamer of Dreams
- Parson Jarner is Astonished
- A Woman Scorned
- Jealousy
- Cupid in Arcady
- The Third Letter to a London Friend
- Fire and Flame
- The Gipsy's Prophecy
- The Final Letter to a London Friend