The Blackmailer by Rafael Sabatini
The novel follows the story of a young Italian nobleman, Count Andrea di Lorenzi, who is blackmailed by a mysterious figure known only as the Blackmailer. The Blackmailer has evidence of a crime that Andrea committed in his youth, and threatens to expose him unless he pays a large sum of money. Andrea is determined to find the Blackmailer and put an end to the blackmail, but his search leads him into a web of intrigue and danger. He discovers that the Blackmailer is part of a larger criminal organization, and that his life is in danger if he does not comply with their demands. As Andrea struggles to find a way out of his predicament, he is forced to confront his own past and the secrets he has kept hidden for so long. In the end, he must decide whether to pay the blackmail or risk his life to save his honor.
By Rafael Sabatini · First published 1912 · Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Romance · 4,612 words
First lines
Boscawen, dressed for dinner, stood, a tall, graceful figure of a man, before the fire in his study, one foot resting upon the fender. The room was in darkness save for the glow of the fire, which played ruddily over the man's clear-cut, resolute face and abundant, prematurely whitened hair.
Somewhere in the flat an electric bell trilled briskly. He stirred at the sound, and looked at his watch, holding it to catch the firelight. Steps approached, muffled by the thick carpet in the corridor. He moved to the switch, and turned up the lights as the door opened.
What this Textopian page supports
The Blackmailer is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rafael Sabatini, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rafael Sabatini
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Romance, Historical Fiction
- Length: 4,612 words
- Structure: 1 section, 169 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Blackmailer by Rafael Sabatini
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Blackmailer?
- How does this short story by Rafael Sabatini fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Leopards Spots by Fred M. White
- The Tempting Of Tavernake by E. Phillips Oppenheim
Genres
- Adventure — The Blackmailer follows the story of a young man who embarks on a thrilling adventure to uncover the truth behind a blackmailer's identity.
- Mystery — The novel follows the protagonist as he attempts to solve the mystery of the blackmailer's identity and motives.
- Romance — The novel features a romantic subplot between the protagonist and a young woman he meets during his investigation.
- Historical Fiction — The Blackmailer is set in the early 20th century and features historical figures and events.
Tags
blackmail · suspense · thriller · crime · deception · intrigue · betrayal · mystery · drama · romance · historical · adventure