Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Uncle Bernac (Illustrated) Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The story involves Louis de Laval, the son of an exiled aristocrat, who is persuaded to return to his native France by his scheming uncle. He finds that his uncle is a police spy who, among other ambitions, wants him to marry his daughter to legitimise his possession of the family château. The daughter's lover, who is a coward of no small repute, is being held in prison for plotting against the Emperor. Said daughter's judgement of character is somewhat clouded by romance and wants Louis to help win the young man's freedom by capturing his brave and ferocious co-conspirator Toussac - with the help of the soldier who would become Brigadier Gerard in later stories.