At the Sign of the Sword

At the Sign of the Sword is a novel by William le Queux that follows the story of a young man named Jack who becomes involved in a dangerous plot involving espionage and international intrigue. The book takes place during World War I and explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice.

By William le Queux · First published 1905 · Genre: Spy Fiction, Adventure, Mystery · 18 chapters · 56,965 words

First lines

Warm, brilliant, and cloudless was the July noon.

Beneath the summer sun the broad, shallow waters of the Meuse sparkled as they rippled swiftly onward through the deep, winding valley of grey rocks and cool woods on their way from the mountains of Lorraine, through peaceful, prosperous Belgium, towards the sea.

What this Textopian page supports

At the Sign of the Sword is listed on Textopian as a novel by William le Queux, dated 1905 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: William le Queux
• Date: 1905 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Spy Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Thriller
• Length: 56,965 words
• Structure: 18 chapters, 1,205 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for At the Sign of the Sword by William le Queux
• 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 At the Sign of the Sword?
• How does this novel by William le Queux fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Spy Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

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• Her Reputation by Talbot Mundy
• I Will Repay by Emma Orczy
• Pimpernel And Rosemary by Emma Orczy
• The Other Englishman by Stanley J. Weyman
• The Double Traitor by E. Phillips Oppenheim

Genres

• Spy Fiction — The plot revolves around espionage and intelligence activities, which are central to the narrative.
• Adventure — The story includes thrilling and adventurous elements that drive the action forward.
• Mystery — There are elements of mystery as characters uncover secrets and solve puzzles.
• Historical Fiction — The setting and events are influenced by historical contexts, adding depth to the narrative.

Tags

historical fiction · adventure · mystery · swordplay · espionage · romance · intrigue · 19th century · British literature · action · political drama · betrayal

Contents

• The Waters of the Meuse
• The Rising Cloud
• The Heart's Desire
• The Man from Cologne
• Bursting of the Storm
• In the Trenches before Liege
• In the Eagle's Claws
• The Double Face
• The Kaiser's Secret Agent
• The Hotel De L'Epee
• This Word of the Uhlan
• The Fugitives
• Before the Storm
• Held by the Enemy
• Betrays the Traitor
• The Fire of Fate
• In Deadly Peril
• The Gulf of Shadows

More by William le Queux

• El tesoro misterioso (1909)
• Mademoiselle of Monte Carlo (1904)
• The Four Faces (1920)
• The Czar's Spy (1896)
• The House of Whispers (1908)
• The Doctor of Pimlico (1906)
• The Minister of Evil (1902)
• The Great White Queen (1896)
• All works by William le Queux