
The Complete Works of H. C. McNeile (Sapper) - 14 Novels & 170+ Short Stories: Mysteries, Thriller Novels, War Stories, Detective Stories, Tales from the Army and More (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. War-born mysteries and espionageBy H. C. McNeileLength233h 26m
About this audiobook
This expansive collection gathers H. C. McNeile's vigorous fiction under his famous pseudonym, Sapper: fourteen novels and more than 170 short stories ranging across mystery, espionage, military adventure, detective intrigue, and tales of barrack-room life. Written in a brisk, muscular prose characteristic of early twentieth-century popular fiction, these works occupy the fertile ground between late-Victorian imperial adventure and the interwar thriller. Their most enduring legacy lies in the creation of Bulldog Drummond, whose audacity, patriotism, and appetite for danger helped define the modern action hero. Herman Cyril McNeile (1888–1937) was not merely imagining the soldier's world from afar. A Royal Engineers officer who served in the First World War, he drew heavily upon military experience, comradeship, and the psychological aftermath of conflict. His fiction reflects both the exhilaration and anxieties of postwar Britain: the fear of hidden enemies, the cult of masculine resilience, and the search for order after upheaval. Readers interested in classic thrillers, military storytelling, or the genealogy of modern suspense will find this collection indispensable. It offers both gripping entertainment and a revealing document of its age.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works' unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions.
- A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader era—social currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation.
- A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists.
- A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different work's strengths.
- Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the author's overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts.
- Lastly, our hand‐picked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collection's central themes.
Audiobook details
GenreMystery and Thriller, Action and Adventure
Length233 hrs 26 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 23, 2015
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The Complete Works of H. C. McNeile (Sapper) - 14 Novels & 170+ Short Stories: Mysteries, Thriller Novels, War Stories, Detective Stories, Tales from the Army and More (Annotated)
236XIII. — THE HEAVY LIEUTENANT'S PRISONER
2Introduction
237XIV. — HOW TO BE HAPPY THOUGH WOUNDED
3Historical Context
238XV. — THE TERRIBLE DANGER OF "FUNK"
4Synopsis (Selection)
239XVI. — GOOD-BYE AND GOOD LUCK
5Novels:
240PROLOGUE
Show all chaptersShow less
6Prologue
241PART ONE
7I
242CHAPTER I THE MOTOR-GUN
8II
243CHAPTER II PRIVATE MEYRICK—COMPANY IDIOT
9CHAPTER I
244CHAPTER III SPUD TREVOR OF THE RED HUSSARS
10CHAPTER II
245CHAPTER IV THE FATAL SECOND
11CHAPTER III
246CHAPTER V JIM BRENT'S V.C.
12CHAPTER IV
247CHAPTER VI RETRIBUTION
13CHAPTER V
248CHAPTER VII THE DEATH GRIP
14CHAPTER VI
249CHAPTER VIII JAMES HENRY
15CHAPTER VII
250PART TWO THE LAND OF TOPSY TURVY
16CHAPTER VIII
251CHAPTER I THE GREY HOUSE
17CHAPTER IX
252CHAPTER II THE WOMEN AND—THE MEN
18CHAPTER X
253CHAPTER III THE WOMAN AND THE MAN
19CHAPTER XI
254CHAPTER IV "THE REGIMENT"
20CHAPTER XII
255CHAPTER V THE CONTRAST
21CHAPTER XIII
256CHAPTER VI BLACK, WHITE, AND—GREY
22CHAPTER XIV
257CHAPTER VII ARCHIE AND OTHERS
23MELTON HOUSE, OFFHAM, NEAR LEWES.
258CHAPTER VIII ON THE STAFF
24CHAPTER XV
259CHAPTER IX NO ANSWER
25CHAPTER XVI
260CHAPTER X THE MADNESS
26CHAPTER XVII
261CHAPTER XI THE GREY HOUSE AGAIN
27CHAPTER XVIII
262PREFACE
28EPILOGUE
263PART I THE WAY TO THE LAND
29PROLOGUE
264I
30CHAPTER I IN WHICH HE TAKES TEA AT THE CARLTON AND IS SURPRISED
265II
31CHAPTER II IN WHICH HE JOURNEYS TO GODALMING AND THE GAME BEGINS
266III
32CHAPTER III IN WHICH THINGS HAPPEN IN HALF MOON STREET
267IV
33CHAPTER IV IN WHICH HE SPENDS A QUIET NIGHT AT THE ELMS
268V
34CHAPTER V IN WHICH THERE IS TROUBLE AT GORING
269VI
35CHAPTER VI IN WHICH A VERY OLD GAME TAKES PLACE ON THE HOG'S BACK
270VII
36CHAPTER VII IN WHICH HE SPENDS AN HOUR OR TWO ON A ROOF
271VIII
37CHAPTER VIII IN WHICH HE GOES TO PARIS FOR A NIGHT
272IX
38CHAPTER IX IN WHICH HE HAS A NEAR SHAVE
273X
39X IN WHICH THE HUN NATION DECREASES BY ONE
274XI
40CHAPTER XI IN WHICH LAKINGTON PLAYS HIS LAST "COUP"
275XII
41CHAPTER XII IN WHICH THE LAST ROUND TAKES PLACE
276PART II THE LAND
42EPILOGUE
277I A DAY OF PEACE
43The Black Gang
278II OVER THE TOP
44I. — IN WHICH THINGS HAPPEN NEAR NEW BARKING CREEK
279III THE MAN-TRAP
45II. — IN WHICH SCOTLAND YARD SITS UP AND TAKES NOTICE
280IV A POINT OF DETAIL
46III. — IN WHICH HUGH DRUMMOND COMPOSES A LETTER
281V MY LADY OF THE JASMINE
47IV. — IN WHICH COUNT ZADOWA GETS A SHOCK
282VI MORPHIA
48V. — IN WHICH CHARLES LATTER, M.P., GOES MAD
283VII BENDIGO JONES—HIS TREE
49VI. — IN WHICH AN EFFUSION IS SENT TO THE NEWSPAPERS
284VIII THE SONG OF THE BAYONET
50VII. — IN WHICH A BOMB BURSTS AT UNPLEASANTLY CLOSE QUARTERS
285PART III SEED TIME
51VIII. — IN WHICH THE BAG OF NUTS IS FOUND BY ACCIDENT
286I THE SEED
52IX. — IN WHICH THERE IS A STORMY SUPPER PARTY AT THE RITZ
287II THE FIRST LESSON
53X. — IN WHICH HUGH DRUMMOND MAKES A DISCOVERY
288III AN IMPERSONAL DEMONSTRATION
54XI. — IN WHICH HUGH DRUMMOND AND THE REVEREND THEODOSIUS LONGMOOR TAKE LUNCH TOGETHER
289IV SOMEWHAT MORE PERSONAL
55XII. — IN WHICH COUNT ZADOWA IS INTRODUCED TO ALICE IN WONDERLAND
290V A PROJECT AND SOME SIDE-ISSUES
56XIII. — IN WHICH HUGH DRUMMOND AND THE REVEREND THEODOSIUS HAVE A LITTLE CHAT
291VI THE SECOND LESSON, AND SOME FURTHER SIDE-ISSUES
57XIV. — IN WHICH A ROLLS-ROYCE RUNS AMOK
292VII THE THIRD LESSON, AND A DIGRESSION
58XV. — IN WHICH HUGH DRUMMOND ARRIVES AT MAYBRICK HALL
293VIII THE THIRD LESSON IS LEARNED
59XVI. — IN WHICH THINGS HAPPEN AT MAYBRICK HALL
294IX "AND OTHER FELL ON GOOD GROUND"
60XVII. — IN WHICH A MURDERER IS MURDERED AT MAYBRICK HALL
295PART IV
61XVIII. — IN WHICH THE HOME SECRETARY IS TAUGHT THE FOX-TROT
296HARVEST
62FOREWORD
297I. — THE HUMAN TOUCH (pt. 1)
63I. — RAYMOND BLAIR—DRUNKARD
298I. — THE HUMAN TOUCH (pt. 2)
64II. — THE KILLING OF BARON STOCKMAR
299II. — THE TRUCE OF THE BEAR
65III. — A GAME OF BLUFF
300III. — THE AWAKENING OF JOHN WALTERS
66IV. — COLETTE
301IV. — THE PASSING OF THE SEASICK COW
67V. — THE FIGHT AT BULL MINE CREEK
302V. — GALLERY NO. 31
68VI. — PETE CORNISH'S REVENGE
303VI. — THE BOOBY-TRAP
69VII. — THE MADMAN AT CORN REEF LIGHTHOUSE
304VII. — THE BRIDGE
70VIII. — THE SEVEN MISSIONARIES
305VIII. — THE ONLY WAY
71IX. — THE ROTTENNESS OF LADY HOUNSLOW
306IX. — THE EDUCATION OF BUNNY SMITH
72X. — THE POOL OF THE SACRED CROCODILE
307I — The Man in Ratcatcher
73XI. — AN EXPERIMENT IN ELECTRICITY
308II — "An Arrow at a Venture"
74XII. — MOLLY'S AUNT AT ANGMERING
309III — The House by the Headland
75I. — IN WHICH THE METROPOLITAN DIAMOND SYNDICATE HOLDS CONVERSE WITH MR EDWARD BLACKTON
310IV — The Man who would not Play Cards
76II. — IN WHICH PROFESSOR GOODMAN REALISES THAT THERE ARE MORE THINGS IN LIFE THAN CHEMISTRY
311V — A Question of Personality
77III. — IN WHICH STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN IN PROFESSOR GOODMAN'S LABORATORY
312VI — The Unbroken Line
78IV. — IN WHICH MR WILLIAM ROBINSON ARRIVES AT HIS COUNTRY SEAT
313VII — The Real Test
79V. — IN WHICH MR WILLIAM ROBINSON LOSES HIS SELF- CONTROL
314VIII — "Good Hunting, Old Chap"
80VI. — IN WHICH HUGH DRUMMOND LOSES HIS SELF- CONTROL.
315IX — The Man with his Hand in his Pocket
81VII. — IN WHICH DRUMMOND TAKES A TELEPHONE CALL AND REGRETS IT
316X — A Payment on Account
82VIII. — IN WHICH DRUMMOND PLAYS A LITTLE GAME OF TRAINS
317XI — The Poser
83IX. — IN WHICH PROFESSOR GOODMAN HAS A TRYING TIME
318FOREWORD
84X. — IN WHICH DRUMMOND GOES ON BOARD THE S.Y. GADFLY
319I. — THE ACTOR'S STORY, BEING THE PATCH ON THE QUILT
85XI. — IN WHICH DRUMMOND LEAVES THE S.Y. GADFLY
320II. — THE BARRISTER'S STORY, BEING THE DECISION OF SIR EDWARD SHOREHAM
86XII. — IN WHICH HE SAMPLES MR BLACKTON'S NAPOLEON BRANDY
321III. — THE DOCTOR'S STORY, BEING SENTENCE OF DEATH
87XIII. — IN WHICH DRUMMOND RECEIVES AN ADDITION TO HIS LIBRARY
322IV. — THE ORDINARY MAN'S STORY, BEING THE PIPES OF DEATH
88INTRODUCTION
323V. — THE SOLDIER'S STORY, BEING A BIT OF ORANGE PEEL
89I. — IN WHICH I HEAR A CRY IN THE NIGHT
324VI. — THE WRITER'S STORY, BEING THE HOUSE AT APPLEDORE
90II. — IN WHICH I MEET HUGH DRUMMOND
325VII. — THE OLD DINING ROOM
91III. — IN WHICH SOME EXCELLENT ADVICE IS FOLLOWED
326VIII. — WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK
92IV. — IN WHICH HUGH DRUMMOND DISCOVERS A NEW AUNT
327IX. — JIMMY LETHBRIDGE'S TEMPTATION
93V. — IN WHICH WE PAY THE AUNT AN INFORMAL VISIT
328X. — LADY CYNTHIA AND THE HERMIT
94VI. — IN WHICH WE GET A MESSAGE FROM ROBIN GAUNT
329XI. — A GLASS OF WHISKY
95VII. — IN WHICH I APPEAR TO BECOME IRRELEVANT
330XII. — THE MAN WHO COULD NOT GET DRUNK
96VIII. — IN WHICH WE COME TO BLACK MINE
331I. — OUT OF THE BLUE
97IX. — IN WHICH WE ARE ENTERTAINED STRANGELY IN BLACK MINE
332II — THE STRANGE PASSING OF PIERRE
98X. — IN WHICH WE READ THE NARRATIVE OF ROBIN GAUNT
333III. — THE FILM THAT WAS NEVER SHOWN
99XI. — IN WHICH WE READ THE DIARY OF ROBIN GAUNT
334VI. — A FUNNY LITTLE MAN
100XII. — IN WHICH THE FINAL COUNT TAKES PLACE
335V. — THE DOWNFALL OF YOUNG THOMPSON
101XIII. — IN WHICH I LAY DOWN MY PEN
336VI. — THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW
102I. — IN WHICH I MAKE DRUMMOND'S ACQUAINTANCE
337VII. — UNCLE JAMES'S GOLF MATCH
103II. — IN WHICH I FIND A DESERTED MOTOR CAR
338VIII. — MARK DANVER'S SIN
104III. — IN WHICH I GET IT IN THE NECK
339IX. — THE MISSING LINE
105IV. — IN WHICH WE GET THE SEMBLANCE OF A CLUE
340X. — STUBBY
106V. — IN WHICH THE LETTER ARRIVES
341XI. — BULTON'S REVENGE
107VI. — IN WHICH I GET THE SECOND CLUE
342XII. COINCIDENCE
108VII. — IN WHICH WE COME TO THE MERE
343XIII. — THE PORTERHOUSE STEAK
109VIII. — IN WHICH WE EXPLORE THE MERE
344I. — JIM BRENT'S V.C.
110IX. — IN WHICH WE GET THE SECOND CLUE
345II. — THE FATAL SECOND
111X. — IN WHICH THE THIRD CLUE IS SOLVED
346III. — SPUD TREVOR OF THE RED HUSSARS
112XI. — IN WHICH I GO TO FRIAR'S HEEL BY DAY
347IV. — PRIVATE MEYRICK—COMPANY IDIOT
113XII. — IN WHICH I WRITE MY MIND TO DRUMMOND
348V. — JAMES HENRY
114XIII. — IN WHICH I GO TO FRIAR'S HEEL BY NIGHT
349VI. — A FIRE IN BILLETS A Farm near Bailleul, December 1914
115XIV. — IN WHICH I MEET MRS DRUMMOND
350VII. — MEDICAL INSPECTION Cleanliness is Next to...
116XV. — IN WHICH SOME OF THE OTHERS JOIN ME
351VIII. — THE BRIDGE An Incident During the Retreat
117XVI. — IN WHICH WE HAVE A REHEARSAL
352IX. — THE CHARGE OF THE COOKS Zillebeeke, November 1914
118XVII. — IN WHICH THE CURTAIN RINGS DOWN
353X. — THE SPY November 1914, near Messines
119I. — IN WHICH THE "MAID OF ORLEANS" LEAVES FOR BOULOGNE
354XI. — A DAY OF PEACE
120II. — IN WHICH WE MEET TWO NEW ALLIES
355XII. — OVER THE TOP
121III. — IN WHICH WE COME TO SPRAGGE'S FARM BY NIGHT
356XIII. — BENDIGO JONES—HIS TREE
122IV. — IN WHICH THE NECESSITY FOR SPARKING PLUGS IS PROVED
357I Word of Honour
123V. — IN WHICH WE COME TO THE WOOD AT TEMPLE TOWER
358II The Message
124VI. — IN WHICH WE COME TO TEMPLE TOWER
359III Two Photographs
125VII. — IN WHICH VICTOR MATTHEWS BEGINS HIS STORY
360IV A Matter of Voice
126VIII. — IN WHICH VICTOR MATTHEWS ENDS HIS STORY
361V A Native Superstition
127IX. — IN WHICH I MEET "LE BOSSU MASQUÉ"
362VI Blackmail
128X. — IN WHICH "LE BOSSU" RETRIEVES HIS ERROR
363VII Mrs. Peter Skeffington's Revenge
129XI. — IN WHICH WE SEE A FACE AT THE WINDOW
364VIII Marie
130XII. — IN WHICH WE HEAR THE NOISE OF TURNING WHEELS
365IX The King of Hearts
131XIII. — IN WHICH THE ACCOUNT IS SETTLED
366X The Other Side of the Wall
132XIV. — IN WHICH THE "MAID OF ORLEANS" RETURNS FROM BOULOGNE
367XI The Haunting of Jack Burnham
133CHAPTER I
368XII The Professor's Christmas Party
134CHAPTER II
369PREFACE
135CHAPTER III
370PART I
136CHAPTER IV
371I
137CHAPTER V
372II
138CHAPTER VI
373III
139CHAPTER VII
374IV
140CHAPTER VIII
375V
141CHAPTER IX
376VI
142CHAPTER X
377VII
143CHAPTER XI
378VIII
144CHAPTER XII
379IX
145CHAPTER I
380PART II
146CHAPTER II
381I
147CHAPTER III
382II
148CHAPTER IV
383III
149CHAPTER V
384IV
150CHAPTER VI
385V
151CHAPTER VII
386VI
152CHAPTER VIII
387VII
153CHAPTER IX
388VIII
154CHAPTER X
389The Saving Clause
155CHAPTER XI
390I — THE SAVING CLAUSE
156CHAPTER XII
391II — BILLIE FINDS THE ANSWER
157CHAPTER I
392III THE RUBBER STRAP
158CHAPTER II
393IV ROUT OF THE OLIVER SAMUELSONS
159CHAPTER III
394V THE HORROR AT STAVELEY GRANGE
160CHAPTER IV
395VI CYNTHIA DELMORTON'S MISTAKE
161CHAPTER V
396VII THE ELEVENTH HOUR
162CHAPTER VI
397VIII THREE OF A KIND
163CHAPTER VII
398IX THE IMPASSIVE FOOTMAN
164CHAPTER VIII
399When Carruthers Laughed
165CHAPTER IX
400I. WHEN CARRUTHERS LAUGHED
166CHAPTER X
401II. THE SNAKE FARM
167CHAPTER XI
402III. THE GREAT MAGOR DIAMOND
168CHAPTER I
403IV. THE BROKEN RECORD
169CHAPTER II
404V. THE TAMING OF SYDNEY MARSHAM
170CHAPTER III
405VI. DILEMMA
171CHAPTER IV
406VII. THE BARONETS OF MERTONBRIDGE HALL
172CHAPTER V
407VIII. TOUCH AND GO
173CHAPTER VI
408IX. THE LOYALTY OF PETER DRAYTON
174CHAPTER VII
409X. THE MADNESS OF CHARLES TRANTER
175CHAPTER VIII
410XI. A STUDENT OF THE OBVIOUS
176CHAPTER IX
411XII. THE SECOND RIDE
177CHAPTER X
412John Walters
178CHAPTER I
413I. — THE AWAKENING OF JOHN WALTERS
179CHAPTER II
414II. A POINT OF DETAIL
180CHAPTER III
415III. MY LADY OF THE JASMINE
181CHAPTER IV
416IV. THE MAN-TRAP
182CHAPTER V
417V. EBENEEZER THE GOAT
183CHAPTER VI
418VI. THE PEPNOTISED MILK
184CHAPTER VII
419VII. DRIVER ROBERT BROWN
185CHAPTER VIII
420VIII. THE END OF "WIPERS"
186CHAPTER IX
421IX. THE BLACK SHEEP
187CHAPTER X
422X. THE SIXTH DRUNK
188CHAPTER XI
423XI. THE COWARD
189CHAPTER XII
424XII. "WILL YOU TAKE OVER HIS HORSE, SIR?"
190CHAPTER XIII
425XIII. MORPHIA
191CHAPTER XIV
426XIV. THE BOOBY-TRAP
192CHAPTER XV
427XV. THE PASSING OF THE SEASICK COW
193I. — THE GAME BEGINS
428The Finger of Fate
194II. — THE GOLDEN BOOT
429I. — THE FINGER OF FATE
195III. — MIDNIGHT INTERVIEW
430II. THE DIAMOND HAIR-SLIDE
196IV. — FAIR WARNING
431III. THE BLACK MONK.
197V. — GLOVES OFF
432IV. THE HIDDEN WITNESS
198VI. — DRUMMOND ALONE
433V. THE TWO-WAY SWITCH
199VII. — DEATH AT THE VILLA
434VI. WILL YOU WALK INTO MY PARLOUR?
200VIII. — ALGY INTERVENES
435VII. A HOPELESS CASE
201IX. — BIRCHINGTON TOWERS
436VIII. THE UNDOING OF MRS. CRANSBY
202X. — LIMERICK BY ALGY
437IX. A QUESTION OF MUD
203XI. — THE SLEEPWALKER
438X. THAT BULLET HOLE HAS A HISTORY
204XII. — CADDIE MOST FOUL
439XI. THE IDOL'S EYE
205XIII. — BURGLARS IN BATTERSEA
440XII. A QUESTION OF IDENTITY
206XIV. — THE TRAIL NARROWS
441XIII. FER DE LANCE
207XV. — THE GHOST WALKS
442XIV. THE GREEN DEATH
208XVI. — CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
443THE CREAKING DOOR
209XVII. — A DOUBLE TOAST
444Chapter 1.
210Short Story Collections:
445Chapter 2.
211PREFACE
446Chapter 3.
212I. — THE LIEUTENANT
447THE MISSING CHAUFFEUR
213II. — THE END OF "WIPERS"
448Chapter 1.
214III. — THE BLACK SHEEP
449Chapter 2.
215IV. — JAMES AND THE LAND MINE
450THE HAUNTED RECTORY
216V. — THE SIXTH DRUNK
451Chapter 1.
217VI. — THE MINE
452Chapter 2.
218VII. — DRIVER ROBERT BROWN
453Chapter 3.
219VIII. — THE COWARD
454A MATTER OF TAR
220IX. — EBENEEZER THE GOAT
455THE HOUSE WITH THE KENNELS
221X. — THE PEPNOTISED MILK
456THE THIRD MESSAGE
222XI. — WILL YOU TAKE OVER HIS HORSE, SIR?
457Chapter 1.
223XII. — THE AFTERMATH
458Chapter 2.
224I. — THREE TO ONE
459Chapter 3.
225II. — A FIRE IN BILLETS
460Chapter 4.
226III. — MEDICAL INSPECTION
461MYSTERY OF THE SLIP COACH
227IV. — THE GUARDS
462THE SECOND DOG
228V. — A SUBALTERN OF THE GUARDS
463THE MAN IN YELLOW
229VI. — A WORD TO THE SHIRKERS
464THE MAN WITH SAMPLES
230VII. — THE BRIDGE
465THE EMPTY HOUSE
231VIII. — THE CHARGE OF THE COOKS
466THE TIDAL RIVER
232IX. — THE SPY
467Analysis
233X. — MUD AND NOISE
468Reflection
234XI. — THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE
469Memorable Quotes
235XII. — SAPPING AND MINING