The Law-Breakers

"The Law-Breakers" by Ridgwell Cullum is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative is set against the backdrop of the Canadian prairie during a time of lawlessness and prohibition, focusing on the struggles between law enforcement and criminals. Most prominently, the story revolves around Inspector Stanley Fyles, who is determined to uphold the law in a territory rife with contraband and illicit activities. The opening of the novel introduces Inspector Fyles as he patrols a dusty train platform in a harsh summer heat, awaiting the arrival of a freight train carrying contraband liquor. He engages in a conversation with the railroad agent, Huntly, establishing the tense atmosphere of both comical and serious elements as they discuss the unreliable schedules of local freights and the increasing challenges posed by illegal traffic. We also glimpse the motivations and personalities of other characters, including the outlaws who intend to execute a daring robbery on the moving cargo. The stage is set for a gripping story of crime, duty, and the chase that will entangle both lawmen and outlaws in their relentless pursuit of justice and survival in the wild Prairie landscape. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Ridgwell Cullum was a British writer who wrote a large number of adventure novels over more than 30 years, usually set in sparsely populated regions of the United States or Canada.