The Betrayal

The Betrayal (1904) is a novel written by Edward Phillips Oppenheim. Guy Ducaine recently earned his degree from Oxford University. He is homeless and hungry in the small town of Brasters as a result of a string of bad incidents. He plans to give a talk on local history in an effort to make a few shillings. Colonel Mostyn Ray, an officer and adventurer, is also given a speaking invitation by Lord Rowchester to the community. After his unsuccessful talk, Ducaine returns to his meager house and collapses from hunger. When Ray and Lady Angela, the attractive daughter of Rowchester, discover him there, they resuscitate him and begin a convoluted, amusing, and cunning plot. Ducaine finally joins a War Preparations Committee, which is frequently leaking blueprints to the enemy, and rescues the country after a series of twists and turns. Ducaine's task of keeping the secret war plans out of the hands of the enemy proves nearly impossible for a young and inexperienced man. There is a lot of political intrigue, spying, betrayal, and allegiance going on in the play.