"Copyright 1908, The Bobbs-Merrill Company, September" stated on copyright page; hardbound; generally good condition of pages with minor ageing wear and tear; original owners name inside front (pencil); boards good/fair with minor wear and tear (pics); minor fading along spine.
 
description -
The story follows dowager Rachel Innes as she thwarts a series of strange crimes at a summer house she has rented with her niece and nephew. The novel was Rinehart's first bestseller and established her as one of the era's most popular writers.
 
Rachel Innes is a spinster who has had custody of her orphaned niece and nephew since they were children. The siblings Halsey and Gertrude are now 20 and 24, respectively, and they talk Rachel into renting a house in the country for the summer. The country-house is owned by the Armstrong family (who is currently away on vacation), and currently only has a housekeeper named Mary.
Upon arriving Rachel and her long-time maid Lydia set about hiring staff and setting up in the house before Halsey and Gertrude arrive the next day. They receive an ominous warning that there is a ghost in the house from Thomas, an older man who has worked for the Armstrongs for many years and agrees to return and work as a butler for Rachel. The first night Lydia and Rachel are awoken by the sounds of an intruder sneaking around and dropping a metal golf stick on a staircase.