The Bradys and the Girl Smuggler; Or, Working for the Custom House

by Francis Worcester Doughty

"The Bradys and the Girl Smuggler; Or, Working for the Custom House" by Doughty is a detective novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows Old King Brady and his apprentice, Young King Brady, as they work to uncover a smuggling operation involving precious stones at the Custom House in New York. The narrative introduces the tension between the skilled Bradys and the smugglers, with elements of intrigue and deception as they attempt to apprehend the culprits. At the start of the story, we witness the Bradys being assigned to crack down on a smuggling ring that the regular inspectors have failed to expose. They quickly encounter Paul La Croix, a cunning smuggler, and his daughter Clara, who is involved in the schemes. As the Bradys devise a strategy to uncover the smuggling operation, they display their keen skills and determination, setting the stage for a suspenseful cat-and-mouse chase. The opening chapters establish a compelling premise, as the Bradys navigate through challenges and rivalries within the Custom House, all while uncovering surprising twists related to the characters involved in the smuggling ring.