The Drums of Jeopardy

by Harold MacGrath

"The Drums of Jeopardy" by Harold MacGrath is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in the context of a post-war America and follows John Hawksley, a mysterious Englishman whose arrival in Albany is marked by tension and danger. As he attempts to navigate a web of threats and intrusions, the narrative hints at themes of pursuit and survival, interwoven with elements of intrigue and criminality. The opening of the novel introduces a fog-shrouded Albany, where Hawksley narrowly escapes a determined pursuer after a turbulent train journey. As he checks into a hotel, the lurking presence of danger becomes palpable, especially after a second man, ominously referred to as "Quasimodo," begins to track him. In a frantic situation, the tension escalates into a physical confrontation that leaves one antagonist incapacitated, ultimately setting the stage for personal conflict and deeper revelations about Hawksley’s past and present. Meanwhile, Kitty Conover, a strong-willed newspaper assistant, is drawn into the unfolding drama, suggesting a potential alliance and intertwining of their fates in the larger narrative.