The Ivory Gate, a new edition

"The Ivory Gate" by Walter Besant is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around themes of memory, forgery, and the complexities of human relationships as it unfolds in the lives of Mr. Edward Dering, a prominent solicitor, and various characters connected to a mysterious cheque drawn for a man named Edmund Gray. The narrative sets the stage for a deep exploration of trust and suspicion amidst the backdrop of professional and personal challenges. The opening of the novel introduces Mr. Dering, who discovers a curious cheque of £720 paid to an unknown individual, Edmund Gray, which he cannot recall authorizing. This troubling sign of memory lapse amidst his vigorous work prompts him to seek answers, turning to his elderly clerk, Checkley, for clarification. The exchange between Dering and Checkley reveals that none of Dering's clients, nor even his trusted staff, have any knowledge of Edmund Gray. As instances of perplexity and suspicion mount, the reader is introduced to the notion of forgery and the implications it carries, setting an intricate mystery in motion that hints at deeper social commentaries and the intricacies of human relationships that will unfold throughout the story. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir Walter Besant was an English novelist and historian. William Henry Besant was his brother, and another brother, Frank, was the husband of Annie Besant.