The Chase of the Ruby

"The Chase of the Ruby" by Richard Marsh is a novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative revolves around Guy Holland, who is thrust into a peculiar situation following the death of his uncle, George Burton. With a will that hinges on the retrieval of a ruby signet ring from an actress named May Bewicke, Guy must navigate a web of intrigue, personal relationships, and unexpected complications. At the start of the tale, Guy Holland receives an unexpected letter notifying him of his uncle's death, leading him back to London from Africa and unraveling a haunting vision he believes was linked to his uncle's demise. As he meets with Letty, his betrothed, he confesses to a strange connection with his uncle's fate. The narrative quickly evolves with Guy learning that his inheritance is contingent on reclaiming a ring from an old flame, Miss Bewicke, which sparks tension between him and his fiancé. The opening sets the stage for a gripping chase through personal rivalries, unfulfilled romances, and moral dilemmas that challenge Guy's character as he embarks on a quest that may ultimately put him at odds with his own values. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Richard Marsh was the pseudonym of the English author born Richard Bernard Heldmann. A best-selling and prolific author of the late 19th century and the Edwardian period, Marsh is best known now for his supernatural thriller novel The Beetle, which was published the same year as Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897), and was initially even more popular, outselling Dracula six times over. The Beetle remained in print until 1960. Marsh produced nearly 80 volumes of fiction and numerous short stories, in genres including horror, crime, romance and humour. Many of these have been republished recently, beginning with The Beetle in 2004. Marsh's grandson Robert Aickman was a notable writer of short "strange stories".