The Strange Countess

Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1925. First Edition. Red Cloth. Near Fine/Good. black titles spine & front with black vignette (front) of woman tied to chair & spooky man with handcuffs, the D/J. illust., a fine example of a period cover, shows in full col. essentially the same scene except he is now applying the cuffs to the girl who is also gagged. "She sat up in bed and a cold shiver ran down her spine. Somebody was in the room! She reached out to turn on the light and could have shrieked, for she touched a hand, a cold, small hand that was resting on the bedside table. For a second she was paralysed and then the hand was suddenly withdrawn. There was a rustle of curtain rings and the momentary glimpse of a figure against the lesser gloom of the night, and, shaking in every limb, she leapt from the bed and switched on the light. The room was empty, but the French window was ajar. And then she saw on the table by her side, a grey card. Picking it up with shaking hands she read: 'One who loves you, begs you for your life and honour's sake to leave this house'. It bore no other signature than a small blue hand .." The D/J. is edgeworn with a piece missing from spine top (the word 'The') & a smaller piece from the front bottom spine corner with other closed tears & creases to rear flap, the condition of the book itself is exceptional, back cover & inner flaps list other titles ("The Gaunt Stranger" is listed as "Police Work"), 320 pages. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Quantity Available: 1. Category: Crime Fiction; Crime Fiction. Inventory No: CRM00048. .