#1929 Club: The Treasure House of Martin Hews by E. Phillips Oppenheim

Major Henry Owston, demobbed, without any job or financial security and definitely bitter is counting his last pennies when he reaches Breezeley Mansion, a sinister looking mansion somewhere in the backwaters. Carrying a letter of introduction and his last hopes, he presents himself before wheelchair user Martin Hews, the master of the house. Hews surprises him both by telling his (Owston’s) biographical details as also performing with his motorised wheelchair, which makes him extremely mobile. Hews is a connoisseur and collector of art and has little respect for the law when he wants a particular antique. For this he has an entire army of people working for him which includes policemen, secret service agents, lawyers, respectable dealers and street thugs.

It is to escort one of those street thugs, Jim Donkin, to safety that is the first job undertaken by Owsten. It seems Hews wanted a clash between the gangs led by Donkin and his rival Joseph so as to divert the police’s attention. However, the gang warfare got out of hand and Donkin had to kill a person in order to escape with his mistress, Rachel, who was earlier the mistress of Joseph. Now Donkin has to get out of the country but before doing so he entrusts Rachel to the custody of Hews requesting him to keep her safe till he returns. Joseph, however, who has an axe to grind with Hews, does not take it lying down. There is an attack by Joseph’s gang on Hews’ house which is heavily guarded not only by men but by electrical wirings, gadgets and so on. Joseph’s gang has to retreat but in the night the electricity disappears and Hews becomes a weak, vulnerable man on wheelchair. And all this on the first day itself!

How long can Owston protect Hews from the attacks of the mysterious Joseph whose face is always masked or disguised? Perhaps he should have followed the advice of Beatrice, Hews’ niece and secretary, and refused the job in the first place.

This is a fast-paced book which kept me fairly engrossed. The identity of Joseph, who is a master of disguise and as much at ease in the West End as the East End of London, is an interesting hook. Owston is a likeable hero and his rivalry with Joseph and friendship with Bloor, the Scotland Yard detective is well written. I have a few quibbles with the ending of the book where a revelation seems to come out of nowhere and then is not elaborated upon. I would have much preferred a different ending but perhaps toffs and girls of slums and alleys do not mix. However, the image that is going to stay with me is that of a man executing a perfect dance in his wheelchair. That moment was so lively and lovely.

If you want to start with Oppenheim, this is a good place to begin.

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First Line: In a fit of utter dejection, I stopped in the middle of a long cinder path and looked miserably around me.

Publication Details: 1929. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1929.

Page: 266

Source: Faded Page

Other books read of the same author: (Among others) Judy of Bunter’s Buildings

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Submitted for the #1929 Club co-hosted by Simon @ Stuck in a Book and Karen @ Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings.