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| 1913 1914 1915 | |
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Blake: Aubrey Dexter, Ezra Q. Maitland and Hon. John Lawless make their debuts. The Council of Eleven gathers to plan its first crime. According to SEXTON BLAKE'S SECRET in DETECTIVE WEEKLY issue 1 (1933), in the Spring of this year, Blake travels to West Africa and visits his brother Nigel (this probably occurred around the same time as the events recounted in SEXTON BLAKE IN TOGOLAND, UNION JACK issue 577). | |
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THE BOYS' FRIEND · Issue 657 · 10/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 2d A WAXY AFFAIR by Anon. (Cecil Hayter) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Vol.III Issue 57 · 17/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 1) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Val Reading Other content: War to the Death by J. W. Bobin; Soldiers of Fortune by Anon.; The Mystery at Graghurst by John Michael. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. This was based on the Sexton Blake film of the same name. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Vol.III Issue 58 · 24/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 2) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: The Battle of Mons by Alan Dene; War to the Death by J. W. Bobin; A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Mystery at Graghurst by John Michael; Was He a Coward by Anon. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Vol.III Issue 59 · 31/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 3) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: The Lust of Gold by Anon.; War to the Death by J. W. Bobin; The Bombing of Rheims Cathedral by Reginald Thompson; A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Mystery at Graghurst by John Michael. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Vol.III Issue 60 · 7/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 4) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: War to the Death by J. W. Bobin; The Ghost Lugger by David Goodwin; The Great Tunnel Tragedy by Anon.; The Fall of Liege by Anon.; The Mystery at Graghurst by John Michael; A Chat With My Chums (ed.) Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Vol.III Issue 61 · 14/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 5) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Vol.III Issue 62 · 21/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 6) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: Rogues' Ranche by Mark Darran; For Britain's Glory by Jack Lewis; War to the Death by J. W. Bobin; The Mystery at Graghurst by John Michael; A Chat With My Chums (ed.) Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Issue 63 · 28/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 7) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Issue 64 · 5/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 8) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Issue 65 · 12/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 9) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Issue 66 · 19/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 10) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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THE BOYS' JOURNAL · Issue 67 · 26/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE DIAMOND BELT (Part 11) by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 84 · 3/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 1) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Max the Magnificent by Herbert Allingham; Who Does the Work? (article); The New Year's Concert by Geoffrey Murray; Pride of the Prairie by Claude Custer; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman; The Picture That Spoke by Anon.; The Last in the League by Steve Bloomer and Ambrose Earle. Notes: This serial was adapted as a non-Blake tale entitled THE CROOK OF MOSQUITO CREEK which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND LIBRARY second series issue 459 (1934). Unrated THE MEN WHO CHANGED PLACES (Part 17) by Anon. (E. W. Alais) · Illustrator: None Notes: Robert Carling approves of his daughter's marriage to Dave Turnbull and the latter invites him to join them — along with Carling's son — in a new life in Canada. Carling is happy to agree to this. Rating: 
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 85 · 10/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 2) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: A. Jones Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; Max the Magnificent by Herbert Allingham; Enter the Foreigner by J. Harwood Lee; School v Town by A. S. Hardy; Pride of the Prairie by Claude Custer; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman; The Last in the League by Steve Bloomer and Ambrose Earle. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 86 · 17/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 3) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: A. Jones Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; Max the Magnificent by Herbert Allingham; The Wrestling Champion by Arthur Steffens; Swelled Heads by J. Harwood Lee; Pride of the Prairie by Claude Custer; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 87 · 24/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 4) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; It's Your Money We Want by J. Harwood Lee; Pride of the Prairie by Claude Custer; The New Chum by Chas. Hamilton; Max the Magnificent by Herbert Allingham; By Mere Fluke by David Goodwin; A bit Too Previous by Anon.; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 88 · 31/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 5) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Max the Magnificent by Herbert Allingham; Signed On by A. S. Hardy; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; Why Cup Ties Draw by J. W. Bache; Pride of the Prairie by Claude Custer; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 89 · 7/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 6) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; Max the Magnificent by Herbert Allingham; The First Man Home by A. S. Hardy; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman; Wanted - Good Refs. (article). Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 90 · 14/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 7) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; The Fourth Form's Snake by Anon.; The Last Hope (article); Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; Max the Magnificent by Herbert Allingham; Curly Cup Tie by A. S. Hardy; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 91 · 21/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 8) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; The Eleventh Place by Jack North; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; Too Old At Thirty by J. Harwood Lee; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 92 · 28/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 9) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; The Pancake "Scrum" by Anon; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; The Great Paper Chase by Jack North; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 93 · 7/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 10) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; The Outlaw of the Plains by Clive R. Fenn; A Slight Mistake by Anon.; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; The Latest Cure by John W. Rollem; Finding Internationals (article); A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 94 · 14/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 11) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; The Despot of St. Dave's by Cedric Wolf; Saving His Friend by Anon.; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 95 · 21/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 12) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin; A Stinging Revenge by Walter Hope; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; A London Lad in Mill-Land by Escott-Inman. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 96 · 28/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 13) by Anon. (Edwy Searles Brooks) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; The Pony Express by Anon.; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; Good Old Perks by John Bristol; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 97 · 4/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 1) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 14) by Anon. (Unknown) Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; The Gold Stealers by Clive R. Fenn; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; The Broken H by Ambrose Earl; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin Notes: Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 98 · 11/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 2) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown THE HEIR FROM NOWHERE (Part 15) by Anon. (Unknown) Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; The Great Fog by Ambrose Earl; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; Redskin Magic by H. Escott-Inman; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin. Notes: Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 99 · 18/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 3) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; The Amateur Hackensmidt by W. G. Walters; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; The Coward of Griffon's Gulch by Allan Blair; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; The Paid Player by J. Harwood Lee; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin. Notes: Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 4 Issue 100 · 25/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 4) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); When the Lion Awoke by J. S. Margerison; Fatty's Aunt by Fenn Sherie; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin. Notes: Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 101 · 2/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 5) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); When the Lion Awoke by J. S. Margerison; Chums of Study 13 by Herbert Painton; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; The Red Man's Way by Ambrose Earl; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; Sealed Orders! by David Goodwin. Notes: Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 102 · 9/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 6) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); When the Lion Awoke by J. S. Margerison; Who Fired the Shot? by H. Escott-Inman; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; The Man Who Made Good by J. O. Standish; County Cricket Notes (article); Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer. Notes: Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 103 · 16/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 7) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: The Schoolboy Actor by Roy Stephen; When the Lion Awoke by J. S. Margerison; A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; County Cricket Notes (article); The Redskin with the White Face by Ambrose Earle; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer. Notes: Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 104 · 23/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 8) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: When the Lion Awoke by J. S. Margerison; Outcast to Captain by Wood Smith; A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; County Cricket Notes (article); Wanted - Dead or Alive by H. Escott-Inman; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer. Notes: Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 105 · 30/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 9) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Amateur Versus Professional by C. C. Bartlett; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson; The Death Trail by Anon.; When the Lion Awoke by J. S. Margerison; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; County Cricket Notes (article); Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; A Chat With My Chums (ed.). Notes: Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 106 · 6/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 10) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; The Bad Men by Anon.; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; Other Fellows' Jobs (article); When the Lion Awoke by J. S. Margerison; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson. Notes: Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 107 · 13/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN OF MYSTERY (Part 11) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: H. Lane Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; The Flying Spy by Marr Murray; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer; A Rank Outsider by H. Escott-Inman; The Black Sheep of the School by Henry T. Johnson. Notes: The final installment. Story features Lightning Jim. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 108 · 20/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE SCARLET THREAD (Part 1) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; County Cricket Notes (article); The Red Mans' Repayment by S. S. Gordon; Other Fellows' Jobs (article); The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; The Four B's by Horace Phillips; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 109 · 27/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE SCARLET THREAD (Part 2) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: When War Was Declared by B. J. S. Margerison; A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Jape That Went Wrong by Horace Phillips; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; The Clue of the Cigarette-Wrapper by H. Escott-Inman; Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 110 · 4/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE SCARLET THREAD (Part 3) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); For One Night Only by Horace Phillips; When War Was Declared by B. J. S. Margerison; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; The Clue of the Half Anna by H. Escott-Inman; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; Oxford v. Cambridge (article); Buffalo Bill's Circus by Claude Custer. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 111 · 11/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE SCARLET THREAD (Part 4) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; Lost Stolen or Strayed by Horace Phillips; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; When War was Declared by J. S. Margerison. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 112 · 18/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE SCARLET THREAD (Part 5) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; His Lordship Arrives by Horace Phillips; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; The Wild Horse Tamer by J. O. Standish; County Cricket Notes by Anon.; When War Was Declared by J. S. Margerison. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 113 · 25/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE SCARLET THREAD (Part 6) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; With Bat and Ball (article); King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; The Bushman Boxer by S. S. Gordon; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; The Monkey's Haul by Horace Phillips; When War Was Declared by J. S. Margerison. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 114 · 1/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE SCARLET THREAD (Part 7) by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: From School to Australia by S. S. Gordon; A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; The School Picnic by Horace Phillips; The Bow Street Runner by Anon.; England v. Australia (article); When War Was Declared by J. S. Margerison; A Chat With My Chums (ed.). Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 115 · 8/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW BUTTON (Part 1) by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: The Fun of the Fair by Horace Phillips; When War Was Declared by J. S. Margerison; The Waif of the Heath by Frank R. Grey; A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; The Artic Explorers by Anon.; The Mystery of the Travelling Trunk by Anon.; A Chat With My Chums (ed.). Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. This is a serialised reprint of THE PROBLEM OF THE YELLOW BUTTON in UNION JACK issue 334 (see that issue for story notes). Rating: 
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 116 · 15/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW BUTTON (Part 2) by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Waif of the Heath by Frank R. Grey; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; The Ruffian of the Ranch by S. S. Gordon; Held to Ransom by Horace Phillips; A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; County Cricket Notes (article); The Artic Explorers by Anon.; When War Was Declared by J. S. Margerison. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. This is a serialised reprint of THE PROBLEM OF THE YELLOW BUTTON in UNION JACK issue 334 (see that issue for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 117 · 22/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW BUTTON (Part 3) by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; The Four B's Holiday by Horace Phillips; The Artic Explorers by Anon.; County Cricket Notes (article); The Waif of the Heath by Frank R. Grey; The Treasure of the Red Man by Lewis Jackson; When War Was Declared by J. S. Margerison. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. This is a serialised reprint of THE PROBLEM OF THE YELLOW BUTTON in UNION JACK issue 334 (see that issue for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 118 · 29/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW BUTTON (Part 4) by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Waif of the Heath by Frank R. Grey; The Adventures of Cable and Co. by Fenton Ash; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; Other Fellows' Jobs (article); The Schoolboy Master by Ernest S. Harris; Our War Page (article); The Artic Explorers by Anon. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. This is a serialised reprint of THE PROBLEM OF THE YELLOW BUTTON in UNION JACK issue 334 (see that issue for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 119 · 5/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW BUTTON (Part 5) by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Invasion of 1914 by Andrew Gray; The Artic Explorers by Anon.; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; Who Will Rule the Waves? (article); The Waif of the Heath by Frank R. Grey; A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. This is a serialised reprint of THE PROBLEM OF THE YELLOW BUTTON in UNION JACK issue 334 (see that issue for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 120 · 12/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW BUTTON (Part 6) by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); What Britons Can Do by Reginald Wray; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; The Waif of the Heath by Anon.; The Artic Explorers by Anon. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. This is a serialised reprint of THE PROBLEM OF THE YELLOW BUTTON in UNION JACK issue 334 (see that issue for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT · Vol. 5 Issue 121 · 19/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW BUTTON (Part 7) by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Lion Awakes by Claude Custer; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; My First Time Under Fire by Corporal Chupin; The Waif of the Heath by Anon. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. This is a serialised reprint of THE PROBLEM OF THE YELLOW BUTTON in UNION JACK issue 334 (see that issue for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 1 · 26/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW BUTTON (Part 8) by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); The Lion Awakes by Claude Custer; Special War Supplement; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; The Waif of the Heath by Anon. Notes: The DREADNOUGHT relaunches as THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL. Story features George Marsden Plummer. This is a serialised reprint of THE PROBLEM OF THE YELLOW BUTTON in UNION JACK issue 334 (see that issue for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 2 · 3/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW BUTTON (Part 9) by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); With the Flag in Belgium by Claude Custer; How Britain Fights (article); The Waif of the Heath by Anon.; Special War Supplement; A Fighter of the Plains by James Robertson; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. This is a serialised reprint of THE PROBLEM OF THE YELLOW BUTTON in UNION JACK issue 334 (see that issue for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 3 · 10/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW BUTTON (Part 10) by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE (Part 1) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Frank Grey Other content: A Chat With My Chums (ed.); Hounds of War by Claude Custer; Special War Supplement; Fall In! by Harold Begbie; Chums of Calcroft by Sidney Drew. Notes: THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating: 
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 4 · 17/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE (Part 2) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Frank Grey Other content: Letters from the Front (ed.); Invalided Home by Claude Custer; Special War Supplement; Britain and Her Allies by Hamilton Teed; Chums of Calcroft by Sidney Drew; Tales from the Front by Anon. Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 5 · 24/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE (Part 3) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Frank Grey Other content: Letters From Our Tommies (ed.); The Human Shields by Claude Custer; Special War Supplement; Britain and Her Allies by Hamilton Teed; Chums of Calcroft by Sidney Drew; Tales from the Front by Anon. Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 6 · 24/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE (Part 4) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Frank Grey Other content: Letters From Our Tommies (ed.); Torpedoed by Andrew Gray; Britain and Her Allies by Hamilton Teed; Special War Supplement; Chums of Calcroft by Sidney Drew; Tales from the Front by Anon. Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 7 · 7/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE (Part 5) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Frank Grey Other content: Letters From Our Tommies (ed.); A Prisoner of the Kaiser by Claude Custer; Britain and Her Allies by Hamilton Teed; Special War Supplement; Chums of Calcroft by Sidney Drew; Tales from the Front by Anon. Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 8 · 14/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE (Part 6) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Frank Grey Other content: Our Admiral at the Seige of Antwerp (article); Lion or Eagle? by John Tregellis; Bill Stubbs Battle by Claude Custer; Special War Supplement; Chums of Calcroft by Sidney Drew; Britain and Her Allies by Hamilton Teed. Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 9 · 21/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE (Part 7) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Frank Grey Other content: Letters From Our Tommies (ed.); Lion or Eagle? by John Tregellis; By Land, Sea and Air by Claude Custer; Special War Supplement; Britain and Her Allies by Hamilton Teed; Chums of Calcroft by Sidney Drew. Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 10 · 28/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE (Part 8) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Frank Grey Other content: From Our Tars and Tommies (ed.); Lion or Eagle? by John Tregellis; Coward or Hero? by Claude Custer; Special War Supplement; Britain and Her Allies by Hamilton Teed; Chums of Calcroft by Sidney Drew; Tales from the Front by Anon. Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 11 · 5/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE (part 9) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 12 · 12/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE REDSKIN DETECTIVE (part 10) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 13 · 19/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE SECRET PLOTTER (Part 1) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE DREADNOUGHT AND WAR PICTORIAL · Vol. 1 Issue 14 · 26/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press 1d THE SECRET PLOTTER (Part 2) by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: From Our Tars and Tommies (ed.); Torpedo Bill Stubbs by Anon.; Britain and Her Allies by Hamilton Teed; Lion or Eagle? by John Tregellis; Tales from the Front by Anon.; Chums of Calcroft by Sidney Drew. Notes: This is a reprint of SEXTON BLAKE IN AMERICA which appeared in THE BOYS' FRIEND issues 252 to 268 in 1906 (see those issues for story notes). Rating:
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 65 · 3/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d GAMBLING WITH FATE by Anon. (Norman Goddard) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Missing Plans! by Martin Clifford; Gunter's Guilt! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a rewrite of chapters 3 to 8 of UNION JACK issue 217 THE SLATE CLUB SCANDAL (1907). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 66 · 10/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HAUNTED PRIORY by Anon. (Original version by William Shaw Rae) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: A Surprise for St. Jim's! by Martin Clifford; Pete's Arrest! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 250 THE GHOST OF STRANDGAP PRIORY (1899). It replaces We-wee with Tinker. Stanley Strand has inherited Strandgap Priory only to find that it's haunted and he can't get any staff. He appeals for Sexton Blake's help. Blake and Tinker take up residence in the priory and, before many hours have passed, the detective is warned away by a ghostly figure. The next day, Squire Roscar, who lives nearby, suggests that Blake, Tinker and Strand come to stay with him. They politely decline. He also reveals that there have been a number of burglaries in the area; a fact of great interest to Blake. The following night, the ghost appears again and Blake, while chasing it, plummets over a cliff and falls into the sea. Swimming ashore, he climbs the cliff and rests on a ledge. Meanwhile, Tinker has discovered a secret passage which leads to hidden rooms carved into the rock beneath the priory. One of these opens onto the ledge, where Tinker finds Blake. Investigating the rooms further, they discover ghostly shrouds and luminous paints... the materials by which a man can be made up as a ghost. When the apparition next appears, Blake pursues it. The villain abandons his shrouds and takes to horseback. The detective gives chase on a bicycle (this scene really dates the tale, seeming much more a part of 1899 - when the original version was written - than 1914). He loses his quarry but, in the morning, is able to identify the criminal. The latter has been using the secret chambers to store the proceeds of the burglaries and used the 'ghost' to keep people away. Blake sets a trap and the villain pays the ultimate price for his crimes. Rating: An average tale; not particularly memorable but entertaining enough. The bicycle v. horse chase is the deifinite highlight!
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 67 · 17/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CLANSMEN'S FEUD by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Off To Sea by Martin Clifford; The Strike Maker by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK issue 243 DRINK! (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 68 · 24/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CIGARETTE CLUE by Anon. (W. Shaw Rae) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Schoolboy Sailors by Martin Clifford; The Last Fight! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 245 THE CIGARETTE CLUE (1898). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 69 · 31/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d SEXTON BLAKE'S STRANGE QUEST by Anon. (W. Shaw Rae) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Ratty's Folly! by Martin Clifford; Paying the Piper! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK issue 220 SEXTON BLAKE, CHEMIST (1907). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 70 · 7/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d PROVED INNOCENT by Anon. (Arthur S. Hardy) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Back to St. Jim's! by Martin Clifford; Pete's Reward! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged rewrite of a story (from UNION JACK issue 26) which, originally, was not a Blake tale but, rather, featured a detective named Herbert Trackett. Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 71 · 14/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE FENFIELD CONSPIRACY by Anon. (W. Shaw Rae) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Between Ourselves (ed.); The New-house Visitors! by Martin Clifford; The Ghost Hunters by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 228 THE THIRD MAN (1898). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 72 · 21/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY MAN by Anon. (W. Shaw Rae) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Honours Divided! by Martin Clifford; Pete's Secret by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 238 THE MYSTERY MAN (1898). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 73 · 28/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE FORTUNE STONE by Anon. (W. Shaw Rae) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The New-House Visitors! by Martin Clifford;The Ghost Hunters by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 375 FORTUNE STONE (1901). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 74 · 7/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CHANGED EYES by Anon. (A. Grahame) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The St. Jim's Joker! by Martin Clifford; Blackmailed! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 72 THE CLUE OF THE DEAD EYES (1895). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 75 · 14/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d TWICE CLEARED by Anon. (P. Cooke) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The New Third-Former by Martin Clifford; Pete's Pursuers by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 396 SEXTON BLAKE'S LOST CLUE (1901). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 76 · 21/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE FORGER by Anon. (W. Shaw Rae) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Prefect's Secret! by Martin Clifford; The General's Verdict! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 208 THE PHANTOM PHOTOGRAPHER (1898). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 77 · 28/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d TRACKED ACROSS THE WORLD by Anon. · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Honours Easy! by Martin Clifford; The Miser's Ghost by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 43 TRACKED ACROSS THE WORLD (1895). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 3 Issue 78 · 4/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d SEXTON BLAKE'S RUSE by Anon. (W. Shaw Rae) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: D'Arcy Minor's Departure! by Martin Clifford; Pete's Charge! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 65 SEXTON BLAKE'S STRATAGEM (1895). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 79 · 11/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d SQUIRE TREDGARE'S SECRET by Anon. (G. Anderson) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: On Leave! by Martin Clifford; The Phantom Horseman! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 75 TRACKED TO DEATH VALLEY (1895). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 80 · 18/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE DOCTOR'S DUPE by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: A Fair Win! by Martin Clifford; The Fun of the Fair! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 82 DOCTOR ZEBRA'S DOOM (1895). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 81 · 25/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE LIVING PICTURE by Anon. (W. Shaw Rae) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Redskins of St. Jim's by Martin Clifford; The Raven! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 88 THE LIVING PICTURE (1895). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 82 · 2/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d IN DEEP WATERS by Anon. (E. J. Gannon) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Rival Camps! by Martin Clifford; Pete's Ordeal! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 200 THE CASE OF THE CORONER'S COURT (1907). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 83 · 9/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d AN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIR by Anon. (E. J. Gannon) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Sporting "Saints!" by Martin Clifford; Falsely Accused by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 200 THE CASE OF THE CORONER'S COURT (1907). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 84 · 16/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d A DIPLOMATIC TRIANGLE by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Plot Against the Head by Martin Clifford; The Money-Lender's Victim! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 208 SEXTON BLAKE, PRIVATE SECRETARY (1907). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 85 · 23/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d HIGH TREASON by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: A Voyage for a Fortune! by Martin Clifford; Retribution! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 208 SEXTON BLAKE, PRIVATE SECRETARY (1907). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 86 · 30/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d TRANSPORTED FOR LIFE by Anon. (Arthur Steffens) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Friends in Need! by Martin Clifford; Pete's Extra Turn! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 214 SEXTON BLAKE ON DEVIL'S ISLAND (1907). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 87 · 6/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d A STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY by Anon. (Arthur Steffens) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Gussy's Proposal! by Martin Clifford; Caught in the Act! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 214 SEXTON BLAKE ON DEVIL'S ISLAND (1907). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 88 · 13/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d TINKER'S PERIL by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Blazed Trail! by Martin Clifford; Bill's Reformation! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 226 THE MYSTERY OF THE MINT (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 89 · 20/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE PLOT THAT FAILED by Anon. (W. J. Lomax) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: True Blue! by Martin Clifford; The Secret of the Vault! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 226 THE MYSTERY OF THE MINT (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 90 · 27/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d A PERILOUS QUEST by Anon. (Edgar Pickering) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Welcome Home! by Martin Clifford; His True Colours by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 240 THE SECRET SOCIETY (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 91 · 4/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d AGAINST HEAVY ODDS by Anon. (Edgar Pickering) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Invader of Study 6! by Martin Clifford; The Dwarf by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 240 THE SECRET SOCIETY (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 92 · 11/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d A FORLORN HOPE by Anon. (William Murray Graydon) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Albert Clyne - Cad! by Martin Clifford; Peaceful Measures by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 241 THE BLACK TYRANT (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 93 · 18/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HORROR OF HAYTI by Anon. (William Murray Graydon) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Conspirators! by Martin Clifford; The Miser's Secret by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 241 THE BLACK TYRANT (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 94 · 25/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d LUCK LORING'S LOSS by Anon. (G. Carr) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Skimpole's Chance! by Martin Clifford; The Missing Ring! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 247 BANKRUPT! (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 95 · 1/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE SERPENT WORSHIPPERS by Anon. (G. Carr) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The New Chum! by Martin Clifford; The Fortune Seeker's Return! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 247 BANKRUPT! (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 96 · 8/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d SEXTON BLAKE'S HOLIDAY CASE by Anon. (E. W. Alais) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Ragamuffin Of St. Jim's by Martin Clifford; Disinherited! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 249 CARAVAN AND CANVAS (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 97 · 15/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CIRCUS MYSTERY by Anon. (E. W. Alais) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: The Scout's Gift! by Martin Clifford; Pete's Challenge! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 249 CARAVAN AND CANVAS (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 98 · 22/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d AT GRIPS WITH THE APACHES by Anon. (William Murray Graydon) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: General Gussy! by Martin Clifford; Pete's Aunt! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 250 THE APACHES OF PARIS (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 99 · 29/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE HOSTAGE by Anon. (William Murray Graydon) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Schoolboy Inventor! by Martin Clifford; Found Out! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 250 THE APACHES OF PARIS (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 100 · 5/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MESSAGE FROM THE SEA by Anon. · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Ratty's Love Affair by Martin Clifford; Rory's Foe! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK first series issue 62 A CLUE FROM THE DEEP (1895). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 101 · 12/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE IMPERIAL SPY by Anon. (Norman Goddard) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Week Enders! by Martin Clifford; War Suppliment (article); The Bromley Mystery! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 253 THE CASE OF THE NAVAL MANOUVRES (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 102 · 19/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE KAISER'S RANSOM by Anon. (Norman Goddard) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Cornstalk's Arrival by Martin Clifford; Pete in Leeds by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 253 THE CASE OF THE NAVAL MANOUVRES (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 103 · 26/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d A FRIEND'S DISGRACE by Anon. (Norman Goddard) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: For Valour! by Martin Clifford; Pete's Prisoners! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 252 SPEARING'S DISGRACE (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 4 Issue 104 · 3/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d A FIGHT FOR HONOUR by Anon. (Norman Goddard) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: A Rank Imposter! by Martin Clifford; A Stolen Pet! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 252 SPEARING'S DISGRACE (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 105 · 10/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE WALKING CRACKSMAN by Anon. (E. W. Alais) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Cussy's Surprise! by Martin Clifford; Founf Guilty! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 259 THE TRAMP DETECTIVE (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 106 · 17/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d SEXTON BLAKE ON TRAMP by Anon. (E. W. Alais) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: A Voyage of Peril! by Martin Clifford; Pete's Ambush! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 259 THE TRAMP DETECTIVE (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 107 · 24/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE BLACK COUNTRY MYSTERY by Anon. (W. J. Bayfield) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Scouts Against Scouts! by Martin Clifford; Trapped! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is an abridged reprint of UNION JACK issue 254 THE MYSTERY OF MOORSIDE (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 108 · 31/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d SEXTON BLAKE'S BLUNDER by Anon. (Arthur Steffens) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The St. Jim's Guy! by Martin Clifford; The Red Chieftain by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 260 THE MOTOR BOAT MYSTERY (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 109 · 7/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d TURNING THE TABLES by Anon. (Arthur Steffens) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: A Secret Trust! by Martin Clifford; The Bully's Master! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 260 THE MOTOR BOAT MYSTERY (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 110 · 14/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d NO PROOF by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Secret Passage! by Martin Clifford; At Bay! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 262 THE MOUNT STREET MYSTERY (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 111 · 21/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d CAUGHT RED-HANDED by Anon. (Ernest Sempill aka Michael Storm) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Spoofing the School! by Martin Clifford; Captain Mason's Compact! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 262 THE MOUNT STREET MYSTERY (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 112 · 28/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CONFESSION by Anon. (L. J. Beeston) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Jape of the Season! by Martin Clifford; A Vow of Vengeance! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 263 THE WILLOW COURT MYSTERY (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 113 · 5/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d A FALSE FRIEND by Anon. (L. J. Beeston) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: Sacked From St. Jim's by Martin Clifford; The Captured Chief by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 263 THE WILLOW COURT MYSTERY (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 114 · 12/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE GYPSY DETECTIVE by Anon. (Edgar Pickering) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Tower of Mystery by Martin Clifford; The Captain's Secret! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 265 SEXTON BLAKE, GYPSY (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 115 · 19/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d SEXTON BLAKE'S MASQUERADE by Anon. (Edgar Pickering) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The School-House Inspector! by Martin Clifford; An Eastern Rogue! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the second half of UNION JACK issue 265 SEXTON BLAKE, GYPSY (1908). Unrated |
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THE PENNY POPULAR · Vol. 5 Issue 116 · 26/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE THREE AVENGERS by Anon. (William Murray Graydon) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: The Rival Detectives! by Martin Clifford; Fun in the Clouds! by S. Clarke Hook. Notes: This is a reprint of the first half of UNION JACK issue 266 THE STOLEN BLOODHOUND (1908). Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 534 · 3/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE GOLDEN CALF by Anon. (J. Staniforth) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: Mike Langton's Vow by Anon.; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features The Scorpion. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 535 · 10/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF THE MONASTERY by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: Mike Langton's Vow by Anon.; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Nathan Waldervell, one of the richest men in America, is en route to England where he intends to fake his own death in order to influence the stock market. During the voyage, he promises Professor Kew a share of the profit in return for his help in arranging a convincing demise. Kew agrees and soon has the millionaire holed up in a monastery from whence his death and burial is subsequently reported. Some days later, Sexton Blake is visited by Waldervell's business partner who is suspicious of the millionaire's apparent death. The detective agrees to investigate and travels to the monestary. Staying there overnight, he recognises Kew who, in turn, makes an attempt on his life, which seems to succeed. With the professor believing him dead, the detective dons the garb of a monk and blends into the daily life of the monestary. When Tinker arrives to join his master, he is captured by Waldervell, who is also disguised as one of the monks. Blake comes to the rescue and Waldervell is brought to the ground by Pedro. The criminals' scheme is exposed but Blake can't press charges without bringing the monestary into disrepute; something he has promised not to do. Kew and Waldervell walk free. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 536 · 17/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE WORKINGS OF CHANCE by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: Arthur Jones Other content: Mike Langton's Vow by Anon. Notes: My copy is missing a cover. Story features actor Lionel Vale. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 537 · 24/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d PLUMMER'S PRISONER by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: Sneaky, the Smuggler by Anon.; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 538 · 31/1/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE SECRET OF THE WELL by Anon. (J. Staniforth) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: The Taming of the Lion by Lewis Carlton; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features The Scorpion. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 539 · 7/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE SNAKE'S FANG by Anon. (H. E. Inman) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: Story features Henri Garrock. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 540 · 14/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE GARDEN CITY SWINDLE by Anon. (E. W. Alais) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: None Notes: None at present. Trivia: Issue includes ad for SEXTON BLAKE, DETECTIVE at the Shakespeare Theatre, Clapham Junction (Trams and Buses pass the doors, go in your thousands!). Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 541 · 21/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d PLUMMER'S WHITE HOPE; OR, THE MAN WITH THE SCARRED FACE by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: Jack Simon's Revenge by Clement Hale; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Sexton Blake knocks out the French Boxing Champion! Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 542 · 28/2/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CASE OF THE PEWTER CANDLESTICKS by Anon. (H. E. Inman) · Illustrator: Arthur Jones Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features Henri Garrock. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 543 · 7/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE GREY DOMINO; OR, THE MYSTERY OF THE MASK BALL by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: Val Reading Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.); The Pets of the Polly Porter by Anon. Notes: My copy is missing a cover. Story features Mlle. Yvonne Cartier. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 544 · 14/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE DEATH CYLINDER by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Question of Duty by Lewis Carlton. Notes: In the coastal village of St. Anton, Dan Tremar lives in dire poverty with his wife, Mary. Dan's socialist politics have made him virtually unemployable and so, in desperation, he accepts a commission from a secret brotherhood headed by Professor Kew to murder a rich American named Walter Bargrave. Unknown to Dan, Bargrave has employed Sexton Blake to trace his long lost English niece — and Mary is that person! While Dan travels to London to perform the evil deed, Blake journeys to St. Anton and meets with Mary. At the Tremars' cottage, he is surprised to find a photograph of Bargrave hidden in Dan's room. He is even more surprised when he sees Kew at the local railway station. He follows him but is spotted by the criminal. Kew is with Raymond Bargrave, Walter's stepson, who is the motivating force behind the plot to murder the millionaire. Bargrave senior's death would mean that he, Raymond, would inherit the fortune rather than it going to Mary. Knowing that Blake stands in the way of the scheme, Raymond attempts to kill him but, of course, fails. Tinker traces Dan Tremar to a flat above that in which Walter Bargrave is lodging. When Raymond visits his father to persuade him to change his will, he is shocked to find that he is, in fact, speaking to a disguised Sexton Blake. The detective ties him up and leaves him on the bed. Tinker witnesses Tremar exposing a hole in the floor leading through to the flat below, above the bed in which Raymond lies. Tremar opens a small cyclinder and from it empties a deadly spider through the hole. Kew arrives at the upper flat; Walter Bargrave at the lower. After Blake destroys the spider, Raymond is revealed to have lost his mind from fear. The two parties meet in a desperate tussle. Kew and Tremar are captured and Kew is sentenced to six years imprisonment at Port Vale Gaol (where he immediately recognises Count Ivor Carlac). Dan Tremar is released, having been judged to have been tricked by Kew. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 545 · 21/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CASE FROM THE CLOUDS by Anon. (J. Staniforth) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.); My Colonial Page (ed.) Notes: My copy is missing a copy. Story features The Scorpion. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 546 · 28/3/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MAN WHO SOLD HIS ESTATES by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: The New Boy by Lewis Carlton; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 547 · 4/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE PURSUIT OF PLUMMER by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.); The Invalids of the Saucy Poll by Anon. Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 548 · 11/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CASE OF THE RADIUM PATIENT by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Unknown Notes: Spring double issue. Story features Mlle. Yvonne Cartier and Dr. Huxton Rymer. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 549 · 18/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE GENTLEMAN CROOK by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: Arthur Jones Other content: Orders Under Seal by Lewis Carlton Notes: This marks the first appearance of Aubrey Dexter. Justus P. Jackson is an utterly ruthless millionaire who doesn't care who he walks over in pursuit of further riches. His latest victim is a bank clerk named Valentine Pelford, who was Sexton Blake's fag at school. Pelford intends to marry Hazel Mapleton but Jackson wants her for himself and so sets out to destroy the young man. He tempts him into a gambling set then sees to it that Pelford loses a fortune. Later, at Hazel's coming out party, Jackson presses his unwelcome attentions on the girl and is punched to the ground by Pelford. The millionaire swears vengeance and — when he catches a gentleman crook named Aubrey Dexter breaking into his house — he immediately sees a means to bring about the young clerk's downfall. The following day, Pelford rushes out of the bank after receiving a call informing him that Hazel has been hit by a truck. He walks straight into a trap and is knocked unconscious by Jackson. That evening, while Pelford remains senseless, the millionaire and the gentleman crook rob the bank. In the morning, the theft is discovered and Detective-Inspector Martin and Sexton Blake attend the crime scene. They find plenty of evidence that Pelford committed the heist and, when the young man turns up in a bedraggled condition, he is arrested. But Sexton Blake is convinced of his innocence and begins a thorough investigation which leads him to the offices opposite, from which Dexter had entered the bank. Here he is confronted by the crook. They fight and Dexter flees only to be followed by Tinker. The lad trails him to his house but is captured by Roberts, Dexter's servant. Two days later, Blake receives a letter from Dexter who reveals Tinker's whereabouts, Jackson's plan and Pelford's innocence. The detective drives the millionaire from the country and Pelford is freed from police custody. As for Dexter... he lives to fight another day. Trivia: Hazel's father's residence is in Berkeley Square, where Blake would one day have offices. Back in his schooldays, Valentine Pelford had fagged for Blake. Rating: 
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 550 · 25/4/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d A BID FOR A BATTLESHIP; OR, MIGHT IS RIGHT by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Orders Under Seal by Lewis Carlton; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Senor Harlvez, the Ambassador of the South American country of Veitamala, is attempting to buy a British battleship to help his country's fight against its neighbour, Culom. But he is drugged by his counterpart, the ruthless Ambassador Senor Sango, robbed of documents pertaining to the purchase, and dumped in a quiet London square in the early hours of the morning. He is found by a young adventurer, the Honourable John Lawliss, and escorted to his home near to where Lawliss lives. The young baron promises to help and, later the same day, gains entry into Sango's house — which is nearby — in the guise of a plumber. He begins to break into the safe but his servant, Pete, finds the papers hidden in a book. They make their getaway, leaving the safe-cracking tools behind. That evening, Sexton Blake is commissioned by Sango to investigate the robbery but his client's evasive attitude makes him suspicious. He puts Pedro on the scent, is led to Lawliss's house, and breaks in. Blake knows Lawliss and, after the latter explains the situation, the two men visit Harlvez and find Sango attacking him. They separate the men and Sango leaves, threatening revenge. Blake returns the papers to the Vietamalan Ambassador. Harlvez asks his rescuers to deliver the documents, authorising the purchase of the battleship, to the French port where it is being built. Blake and Lawliss must race to get there before Sango's representatives, so they take a biplane across the Channel. Unfortunately, Sango has beaten them to it and events conspire in such a way as to make the country which launches the ship first the owner. Blake tells Lawliss to sneak aboard during the night. He then flies back to Southampton where he hires a tugboat and crew. They steam back to France and, helped by Lawliss, attach a steel cable to the battleship by means of which they pull it off the launchway. Having succesfully put it to sea, they win they day: the ship belongs to Veitamala. Trivia: Although this is the first Hon. John Lawliss story to be published, it was actually the second story written. Blake's first ever encounter with the young adventurer is recounted in UNION JACK issue 554, THE BOUNDARY RAIDERS. Later in the saga, from 1916 onwards, Lawliss would be renamed 'Lawless'. Further details emerge in this issue concerning Sexton Blake's Baker Street quarters: He has a cabinet filled with ancient weapons — antique pistols and daggers — in his study. Just prior to this story, we are informed, he and Tinker were on a case in Scotland. When they are away from Baker Street, Pedro is looked after by an 'old vet'. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 551 · 2/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CASE OF THE MISSING BRITISHER by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: Orders Under Seal by Lewis Carlton Notes: James Colby, of the Colby & Co. Bank, receives a late night visit from the Emperor of Westphalia. His Majesty has run up gambling debts and wishes to secure a loan. As security, he leaves the virtually priceless Westphalia Coronet. But Colby's footman, Roberts, betrays the presence of the treasure to Aubrey Dexter, who wastes no time in removing it from Colby's safe. Sexton Blake is called and immediately recognises the ace cracksman's handiwork. Knowing Blake is on his trail, Dexter flees to America. Months later, in Mexico, two English ranch owners — cousins Chris Harding and Philip Morton — fall out over a beautiful woman; Dolores, the daughter of a rebel leader, General Carlos Alvarez. Morton plots with Alvarez to frame Harding, who Dolores loves, and their plan succeeds: Harding is falsely accused of attempted murder and is sentenced to death. The girl turns for help to another Englishman living in the town: Aubrey Dexter, who has gone to ground there to escape the pursuing Blake. Dexter kidnaps the General and, in disguise, replaces him. He arranges things so that Harding appears to be executed while, in reality, he is saved and placed in the care of Roberts. The latter, though, knocks him out and holds him captive with the real Alvarez in a shanty on the plains, hoping to extort money from Morton. A few days later, the American press reports that Chris Harding has been executed. The British Ambassador commissions Sexton Blake to investigate. Travelling to the Mexican town, the detective learns from Dolores that Harding's execution was faked but that her lover has not been seen since. Furthermore, he discovers the Westphalia Coronet in the hotel room where Dexter had resided. Tracking his opponent to the shanty, he captures Roberts and Dexter and frees the prisoners. Later, upon seeing his cousin alive, Philip Morton dies of fright. That night, Dolores, in gratitude to Dexter, sets him and Roberts free. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 552 · 9/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE PIRATED CARGO by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: Orders Under Seal by Lewis Carlton; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: An Arab, Fellad Bey, pays a shipping agent named Jasper Craig to organise a gun-smuggling operation. However, his plans are overheard by a member of The Brotherhood of the Yellow Beetle and, on the night the Katie M sets sail, it is captured by the Brotherhood. After its disappearance, it emerges that a number of other vessels have vanished under similar circumstances, all of them carrying a cargo of weaponry. Sexton Blake is hired to investigate. He goes to Liverpool to interview Craig but upon arrival finds that the shipping agent has been murdered by a vengeful Fellad Bey, who subsequently commits suicide. Blake and Tinker voyage to China to search for the missing ships. After narrowly avoiding being killed by a venomous snake in Blake's bed and by poison in Tinker's coffee, the duo hires a tramp steamer from a mysterious individual named John Davidson and they travel to Kaitu, once a pirate stronghold, now the headquarters of the Brotherhood of the Yellow Beetle. Under a flag of truce, Sexton Blake goes ashore and is taken to meet with Prince Wu Ling. His demand that the Prince should give up the pirated ships and their cargo is refused and the detective is taken prisoner. However, when a British warship arrives on the scene, Blake escapes and helps the Navy as it attacks the criminal stronghold. The Brotherhood is defeated and, in hand to hand combat, Blake kills Wu Ling. Davidson is revealed to be a government agent and he claims Kaitu as British territory. Rating: 
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 553 · 16/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MADMAN'S FORTUNE by Anon. (J. Staniforth) · Illustrator: T.H.W. Other content: Orders Under Seal by Lewis Carlton; A Word from the Skipper (ed.); Where Britain Leads by The Scoutmaster. Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 554 · 23/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE BOUNDARY RAIDERS by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: A. Jones Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.); The Race for the Patent Rights by Walter Hope; Orders Under Seal by Lewis Carlton; My Colonial Page (ed.) Notes: The Colonial Office is concerned that there's been no word from Sir Godfrey Haverleigh, who is en route to Tatua, an island near Australia, where he is to take over Governorship from General Rudolph Mantley. Tatua is half owned by Britain and half by Germany. Sexton Blake is asked to investigate. He visits Sir Godfrey's chambers and discovers signs of a struggle. Upon leaving, he is shadowed by a man who turns out to be butler to the Duchess of Warlowe. Blake then discovers that Sir Geoffrey's luggage was loaded at Marseilles onto the Marga, a yacht owned by the Duchess. Realising that the woman's son, the Hon. John Lawliss must be behind Sir Godfrey's disappearance, the detective books passage aboard a liner and sets off in pursuit. Meanwhile, the Marga, with Sir Godfrey locked in one of its cabins, arrives at Tatua and Lawliss goes ashore in the guise of his prisoner. There he finds that General Rudolph is a hopeless drunkard, thanks to brandy supplied in bulk by the Germans. Much to the General's displeasure, Lawliss immediately usurps his position. The next day, the new Governor heads off to inspect the boundaries of the British territory. When Blake arrives on the island, he quickly realises that the new man is an imposter. He also surmises that the Marga must be hidden nearby and so sets off in search of it. He finds it anchored in an inlet, rescues Sir Godfrey, and then learns from the yacht's captain that Lawliss is somewhere upriver. While the detective searches for him, Lawliss meets with a Tatuan tribe who are officially under the guardianship of the British Empire. However, since a landslide altered the course of a river, the Germans have expanded their border and incorporated the tribe into their territory. They are now levying heavy taxes. Lawliss plants charges to destroy the dam — a direct solution to the problem that would never happen were he to leave it to the red tape of officialdom (as represented by Sir Godfrey). However, before he can detonate the explosives, Blake arrives. Lawliss explains the situation and the detective, approving of the young adventurer's good intentions, sets off the explosion himself, thus restoring British territory. Trivia: Although this is the second published story featuring the Hon. John Lawliss, it actually recounts his and Blake's first encounter (it's very apparent that the two men are not acquainted previous to this). Either due to an error or to the fact that the second-written tale (A BID FOR A BATTLESHIP, UNION JACK issue 550, 1914) was submitted first, the two were published in the wrong order. An attempt to cover this fact is made in the last sentence, which reads 'And so ended the second enterprise of the Honourable John Lawliss.' Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 555 · 30/5/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE COUNCIL OF ELEVEN by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: Val Reading and Arthur Jones Other content: Orders Under Seal! by Lewis Carlton Notes: This story marks the first gathering of the Council of Eleven. The group - made up of powerful, well-organised criminals - pulls off an amazing bank heist which leaves the police baffled. The bank manager calls in Sexton Blake who, after discovering that the criminals burrowed into the vault from an adjoining antiques shop, finds a ring inscribed with a crest designed from the letters of the French word for 'eleven'. After an attempt is made on his life, Blake again encounters the number eleven among the clues. Good solid investigative work leads to the Baron de Beauremon, a man who frequents one of Blake's high society clubs. De Beauremon has as his base a chateau in France. Blake follows the trail to Paris where, again, the Council tries to murder him. Believing that they have successfully done away with the detective, the villians begin to move their stolen bullion. But Blake intercepts the shipment and, with Tinker's help, makes off with it. He returns the fortune to the bank having won this, his first encounter with the Eleven. This was reprinted under the same title in DETECTIVE WEEKLY issue 360 (1940). Rating: G. H. Teed presents us with a very entertaining tale here, though one that seems to end rather too suddenly. The first two chapters are entirely given over to the heist and predate the film Ocean's Eleven in intricacy, gadgetry and style (what is it about the number eleven?). As an introduction to a new super-opponent for Blake, it works really well, leaving the reader eager for the Council of Eleven's next appearance.
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 556 · 6/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE SIXPENNY DOCTOR by Anon. (J. Staniforth) · Illustrator: Arthur Jones Other content: Orders Under Seal! by Lewis Carlton; King of the Fags by Geoffrey Murray; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 557 · 13/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE GREAT TRAIN MYSTERY by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: T.H.W. Other content: The Legions of the Kaiser by John Tregellis; Orders Under Seal by Lewis Carlton; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features actor Lionel Vale. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 558 · 20/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 2d THE DEATH CLUB by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: Val Reading and Francis H. Warren Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.); Orders Under Seal! by Lewis Carltion. Notes: Herbert Channing, who looks after the finances of Mademoiselle Yvonne, reports to her the odd behaviour of Gilbert Jefferson, who runs a silk company she has invested in. Jefferson had been personally overdrawn to the tune of £40,000 due to his gambling on the Stock Exchange. However, seven months ago his account had started showing large credits and he had made out a will and an insurance policy both of which leave large amounts of money to the wealthy financier named Hammerton Palmer. With his finances apparently stable again, he has now drawn out a further £20,000 in gold for some unknown purpose. This places his niece's inheritance in jeopardy and prompts Yvonne to investigate, despite warnings from her Uncle Graves. She breaks into Jefferson's house that night but discovers him in his study stabbed to death and with his face and hands burnt beyond recognition with acid. Meanwhile, Detective-Inspector Thomas is visiting Sexton Blake to ask advice about a number of strange disappearances and murders. While he is there, a call comes from Scotland Yard: they have received a note telling them to get to Jefferson's house as soon as possible; they have already sent three policemen ahead. These three constables arrive just in time to see Yvonne — who is dressed as a man — escaping. They therefore assume that the fleeing figure is the murderer. They report this to Blake and Thomas who arrive at the scene a few minutes later. The detectives learn that Jefferson had a visitor earlier that same evening, who evidence suggests may be the person who sent the anonymous note to Scotland Yard. Next day, Miss Jefferson — the niece — consults Blake and tells him of the £20,000 which has gone missing. The detective re-examines the scene of the crime and discovers a small skull carved from ebony. This is the same as one found in the possession of another strangely murdered man. Hammerton Palmer learns that Blake is on the case and visits the detective to offer help. When he departs, he leaves behind him one of the carved skulls. Blake sends Tinker to keep watch on the Jefferson house. Unknown to Tinker, Yvonne is also watching. The youngster spots a man who matches the description of the individual who had visited Jefferson and follows him to a riverside tenement building where he finds evidence from the crime scene plus the £20,000 of gold. Unfortunately, he is caught in the act of snooping and badly beaten. Meanwhile a bomb is thrown at Sexton Blake in Baker Street and he narrowly misses being killed. Having realised that Yvonne is watching the Jefferson house, Blake visits her and learns that it was she whom the police had spotted leaving the crime scene. He tells her that he thinks Gilbert Jefferson is still alive; that the body was disfigured to hide the fact that it wasn't him. The two of them then intercept a letter meant for Uncle Graves in which his presence is demanded at the 'Death Club'. Blake disguises himself as the old man and goes in his stead, unaware that Yvonne is also attending the meeting in disguise. The Death Club meets at Palmer's house but most members are killed when a bomb, planted by Jefferson, goes off. Blake, Yvonne and Hammerton Palmer survive. Palmer races to Jefferson's hide-out and shoots him. Blake and Yvonne arrive shortly afterwards and Jefferson, with his dying breath, confesses that he killed a man in order to fake his own demise. Blake exposes the purpose of the Death Club and the crimes of Hammerton Palmer. With his schemes in tatters, the villain flees. Trivia: Summer double issue Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 559 · 27/6/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE LOST KING by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: H. H. Lewis Other content: Legions of the Kaiser by John Tregellis; Orders Under Seal by Anon.; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: The country adjoining the Eastern European kingdom of Barania looks upon its neighbour with envy and plots to overthrow it. Employing Baron de Beauremon of the Council of Eleven, and aided by Barania's own chancellor, Count Mitzen, it organises the abduction of the young king-in-waiting. The youth is taken for safekeeping to a remote mountain tribe. The Queen of Barania commissions Sexton Blake to find her son. He travels to the country in the guise of a diplomatic messenger named John Carter, with Tinker, playing the role of an American tourist, travelling separately. But Mitzen's spies are everywhere and Blake's arrival does not pass unnoticed. Foremost among these agents is Captain Konditch of the Imperial Guard. He invites the detective on a hunting expedition during which an assassination attempt is made. Blake avoids death by hiding in the 'King's Oak', an ancient and hollow tree. Inside he finds the entrance to a secret passage but when he ventures into its depths he is captured by mountain men in Konditch's hire. Tinker arrives in Barania and learns that Blake has gone missing. Tracking him with Pedro, he discovers the secret of the oak and enters the underground passage. He finds Sexton Blake bound and gagged in a cave at its end. The detective vows to remain in the country, find the king and expose the plotters. Trivia: John Carter is Blake's favourite nom de plume. Rating: This is the first installment of a two-part story and, as such, suffers rather from a sense of incompleteness — especially as Blake doesn't discover the Council of Eleven's involvement in this issue.
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 560 · 4/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MOUNTAINEER'S SECRET by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: Orders Under Seal by Lewis Carlton; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: My copy is missing the cover. This story follows on directly from the previous issue's. Disguised as one of the mountain villagers, Sexton Blake continues his investigations and sets out on the trail to the village where the boy-king is being held captive. Tinker, meanwhile, returns to town unaware that his movements are being followed by Count Mitzen's spies. When Baron de Beauremon, head of The Council of Eleven, learns of the detective duo's presence in Barania, he vows to do away with them. He sets a trap for Tinker who walks right into it and is captured. The Baron threatens to kill him unless he reveals the whereabouts of Sexton Blake. Tinker refuses and Beauremon has him thrown out of a window sixty feet above the ground. Thanks to a half-filled moat, the lad makes a miraculous escape and sets off on the long trek to reunite with his Guv'nor. In the mountain village, a strange girl named Aida, who is blonde and beautiful and totally unlike her fellow mountain folk, has fallen in love with the king. When Blake arrives she vows to aid him in freeing the youth. The detective instructs them to prepare an escape bid for the following night. He then returns to the Queen's castle and informs her that her son is alive. The next evening, Aida and the king make a break for it and are pursued by the villagers, led by de Beauremon. Blake and Tinker hold off the enemy with their pistols and the president of the Council of Eleven is one of the men hit by a bullet. Later that day, the Queen of Barania holds a Cabinet meeting. Count Mitzen proposes a motion that the regent be made king (thus completing his coup). At that moment, as Blake has planned, the real king presents himself. He banishes Count Mitzen from the country and declares that Blake has been made a Baron of Barania. Aida, it emerges, is the long lost daughter of the Queen's lady-in-waiting. They are reunited and the king announces that he is to marry the girl. De Beauremon escapes, wounded but free. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 561 · 11/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d ARMS FOR ULSTER by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: E. H. Other content: Orders Under Seal by Lewis Carlton; The Sun Stone by Captain Charles Gilson; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: While visiting London, an American millionaire hires a new captain for his steam yacht, The Dirondak. Between the old crew leaving and the new crew arriving, his daughter Maisie sneaks aboard to sleep in her cabin. When she awakes, she finds that the yacht is at sea. After her disappearance, her father visits Sexton Blake. He has received a ransom note from 'Yellow Glove', who claims to have abducted the girl. Blake runs the kidnapper to earth only to find that he's merely a hotel employee who took advantage of the situation after overhearing the girl plan to secretly visit to the vessel. The detective, upon learning Maisie's location, discovers that the yacht has vanished. He also deduces that its new captain is none other than Hon. John Lawliss, who is running the yacht with a skeleton crew of just himself, his manservant Pete and his chauffeur, Paul. Lawliss intends to intercept a German ship, the Karl, which is running guns to Ulster, and is dismayed to find Maisie onboard. Blake, on a man o' war, catches up with the yacht and has himself and Tinker transferred aboard. Once he hears Lawliss's plan, he decides to join the fun. At night, with the yacht partly disguised as a gunship, they catch the Karl and force the captain to throw his cargo of rifles overboard. But their ruse is discovered before all the weapons are discarded and the detective is forced to flee, leaving Lawliss and Tinker as prisoners of the Germans. The Karl is purposely beached on the coast of Ireland where the remaining guns will be hidden and the cargo ship blown up while the crew make their way back to their homeland as best they can. But before they can carry out their scheme Lawliss lets off a flare which attracts a man o' war. Blake and Maisie are aboard it and watch as the Germans run away and the Karl, after Lawliss and Tinker are rescued, is torpedoed out of the water. Trivia: John Lawless is still 'Lawliss' in this, his third appearance. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 562 · 18/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE SHEEP STEALERS by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: Arthur Jones Other content: Orders Under Seal by Lewis Carlton; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: When Sir Archibald Treen wins the bidding for the Vere Dunholm collection of art treasures and antiquities, he incurs the wrath of Prince Frederik of Saxburg, who had wanted the collection himself. Furthermore, he insults His Royal Highness. The enraged Prince commissions Aubrey Dexter to steal the collection from Treen. Days later, Sexton Blake, Tinker and Pedro are having a holiday in the Sussex village of Lowley Downs. There they bump into a disguised Detective-Inspector Martin, who is hunting for a thief who has been stealing sheep in the region. When the Scotland Yard man receives a dead sheep in a parcel with a note warning him away, Blake recognises the handwriting as Dexter's. The detective begins investigating the thefts, puzzled as to why the gentleman cracksman would involve himself in such affairs, unaware that Treen Manor is but two miles away. He is spotted by Dexter's valet, Roberts, who warns his master of the detective's presence. Aubrey Dexter sends an anonymous letter to the local police warning that a huge number of sheep will be stolen during the coming night. This is to divert the forces of law away from Treen Manor, which he intends to rob that evening. He then visits Sexton Blake while disguised as a prospective client and tries to send him on a wild goose chase out of the country. But Blake pierces the disguise and uses Pedro to track the criminal to Treen Manor where, with the aid of a squad of policemen, he interrupts Dexter in the middle of the robbery. Unfortunately, the cracksman and his valet make a hair's breath escape, though empty-handed. Trivia: There's mention of Arsene Lupin in this story, though he is stated to be 'fictitious'. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 563 · 25/7/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE BOGUS PRINCE by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: Arthur Jones THE CASE OF THE STRANGE ADVERTISEMENT by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Arthur Jones Other content: The Faked Wire by Lewis Carlton; A Word from the Skipper (ed.); Hamilton's Letter of Indignation Notes: (THE BOGUS PRINCE) At a costume ball, Hon. John Lawliss is mistaken for Prince David of Bouvania — whom he physically resembles — by a girl who warns him that he's in danger. He is attacked by Prince Gustav and Count Sparzi but wins through and comes away from the fight in possession of a peculiar jewelled badge; the emblem of the royal house. Two days later Sexton Blake is commissioned by Sparzi to find the badge. Meanwhile, Pedro is stolen from his kennels. Lawliss is responsible — he has learned from the girl, who is Sparzi's stepdaughter, that Gustav and the Count have kidnapped the Prince to prevent him from returning to his country for a crucial vote. Using Pedro to track him, Lawliss and his servant, Pete, find his Highness's valet tied up. The man reports that Prince David has been taken away on a houseboat. Lawliss tracks it and arrives at the same time as Blake. They join forces and free the Prince but he is badly wounded by his enemies. With the vote just hours away, Lawliss impersonates him and travels to Bouvania with the detective. They successfully represent the Prince at the political meeting and are able to leave the country despite a last ditch attempt at murder by Gustav's allies. Rating: (THE CASE OF THE STRANGE ADVERTISEMENT) Jefferson of Scotland Yard calls in Sexton Blake to help find a missing policeman. Blake discovers that the young officer had taken note of a small advertisement in a local newspaper's 'wanted' column. It states the need for a house to rent overlooking a particular railway line. The detective finds such a house — a place named Baltic Villa — which has been let to a hot-tempered foreigner: Mr Ormiston. While the tenant is out, Blake breaks into the house and discovers home-made bombs and a catapault designed to fire them at a passing train. He also discovers that a specially scheduled locomotive is due to pass the residence on the following day carrying a Balkan Prince. The detective organises a police raid on the house and Ormiston is arrested. The body of the missing man is found in a neighbouring pond. Rating: 
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 564 · 1/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 2d THE CRIMSON PEARL by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: Val Reading and H. M. Lewis Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: This is a double holiday issue. A young man is given the task to transport a priceless crimson pearl from the South Pacific to London. En route aboard the Kara Maru he is killed for the pearl by a Chinaman who, in turn, is robbed of the treasure by Dr Huxton Rymer. The ship is struck by a storm and Rymer escapes to the island of Rubilinga in the Solomon Islands. By coincidence, Sexton Blake is there pursuing through the jungle a criminal named Black McCabe. When the detective is attacked by cannibals, McCabe escapes back to the trading outpost where he falls in with Rymer. The two criminals depart in the detective's schooner, leaving Blake stranded. From the shore, Blake observes as a Chinese junk arrives and sends a diver down to the sunken Kara Maru. He recognises the leader of the new arrivals as San of The Brotherhood of the Yellow Beetle. The Orientals fail to discover anything in the wreck and sail away when a steam yacht arrives. It is the Fleur-de-Lys; the yacht belonging to Mademoiselle Yvonne. She has been hired by the company which discovered the pearl to recover it from the Kara Maru. Blake joins them and dives to the wreck where, after fighting off a giant shark, he discovers evidence that the lone survivor of the wreck has possession of the pearl. The Fleur-de-Lys sets sail in pursuit of the stolen schooner. The latter has delivered the two villains to Thursday Island where Rymer approaches a fence named Charlie Wong hoping to sell the pearl. Wong immediately sends a boat to fetch San. The criminals gather to do their business but, unknown to them, Blake has arrived and has realised who he's up against. Organising a band of sailors for support, the detective confronts his quarry and a huge fight breaks out. He knocks out Rymer and claims the pearl. San surrenders and leads the detective to McCabe in return for his own freedom. The Oriental departs, vowing revenge at a later date. Huxton Rymer is left to fight another day. Rating: This is a long and absolutely superb story; well-written, well-plotted and offering a thrill on every page. One of the best.
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 565 · 8/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE LAND OF THE GOLDEN BEETLE by Anon. (Cecil Hayter) · Illustrator: Unknown THE COLONEL'S LUCK by Anon. (Unknown) · Illustrator: Arthur Jones Other content: Hamilton's Chat; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: (THE LAND OF THE GOLDEN BEETLE) Sexton Blake and Tinker are taking a holiday with Sir Richard Losely off the coast of West Africa when they're met by Lobangu, who dreamed they would be there. He asks them to help him come to the aid of a white man named Buchan who has been abducted by the secretive Wassulu tribe who are known to worship a golden beetle. The team head inland and enter unknown territory where they encounter the witch doctor of the Snake People from whom they rescue a man named Jim. He explains that the Snake People are the servants of the Wassulu. He leads them to a mountain range where they meet another witch doctor; a head-shrinker of the Wassulu. Having captured this man, they are guided through a pass to Looma, the Head Priest of a hidden city. He pretends friendliness but traps the group and imprisons them, intending to learn the secret of their rifles before killing them. A nobleman named Kala comes to their rescue. He tells Blake that the priests rule the city but are hated by the populace who are ready to rebel. Kala's escape route takes them to an amphitheatre where they witness men being killed by a gigantic beetle. Lobangu challenges the creature and wins the battle, sparking off a city-wide rebellion. Prisoners are freed — Buchan among them — and they join with the noblemen to overthrow the priests. The beetle is revealed to be a cunning costume worn by three human operators. With the adventure at an end, Lobangu and the Englishmen head back to the coast. Rating: (THE COLONEL'S LUCK) Sexton Blake and a doctor attend to Colonel Despard who has been found dead on the floor of his study. The detective notes that the man's neck had been broken after the killer &mdash: who has abnormally huige hands — twisted his head around. The motive, it seems, was robbery; a voodoo idol which had brought Despard a great deal of good luck has vanished. Blake follows the killer's tracks out across the grounds and down a perilous cliff face to a beach and then on into town. Having gained a description, he then sends a wire to all the ports and eventually receives a reply from Liverpool, where the man has booked passage for Port Royal. Blake successfully captures the murderer. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 566 · 15/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d PLUMMER AT SEA by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: Under the Union Jack by W. Murray Graydon; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 567 · 22/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY MILLIONAIRE by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: The Novice by Clyfton Howard; A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 568 · 29/8/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CASE OF THE BLIND BARONET by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Archie Ravenscroft secretly marries, Gertrude Muir, his Uncle John's secretary and a girl whose background is veiled in mystery. Unfortunately, his villainous cousin, Jasper Moody, learns of the wedding and threatens to tell the old man who, because he had wanted Archie to marry the daughter of a family friend, will in all likelihood disown his ward. The cousins fight and, when their uncle interrupts them and learns the truth, he banishes Archie and Gertrude from the family house, Studley Grange. They depart during a violent thunderstorm and as the agitated old man watches them go a sudden flash of lightning renders him blind. Five years later, an ailing and repentant John Ravenscroft hires Sexton Blake to trace his nephew. Jasper, who wants to be his uncle's sole heir, tries to interfere but his scheming is exposed by the detective. That night, Jasper discovers a burglar robbing his uncle's safe. It turns out to be a man he knows from the London club circuit — Aubrey Dexter. Jasper commissions him to keep Blake from discovering the whereabouts of Archie. The following day, Sexton Blake discovers that Archie is earning a living as an author and has assumed a new name. When the detective visits his home, it is only to discover from Gertrude that the young man has just been kidnapped. Setting Tinker, Gertrude and Pedro on the trail, Blake and the Ravenscroft lawyer race to inform John Ravenscroft that his ward is alive and leading a respectable life. They hope that this will be enough for the old man to change his Will in Archie's favour. Unfortunately, Dexter intercepts them and captures Blake. The criminal's valet, Roberts, disguises himself as the lawyer and the three men — Dexter, Roberts and Jasper Moody — drive towards Studley Grange. On the way, Jasper loses control of the car and runs over an old woman, critically injuring her. Jasper deceives the others into believing that she is dead, so they leave her by the roadside and continue their journey. At the blind man's bedside, they trick him into signing a blank sheet of paper, thus ensuring that the Will remains unchanged. However, Dexter then tricks Jasper and has the real document signed just seconds before John Ravenscroft dies. He uses this to blackmail Jasper. Meanwhile Tinker, Gertrude and Pedro find and free the captured Blake and Archie and they all set off for the Grange. On the way they find the dying old woman at the side of the road. With her final breath, she reveals that Gertrude is, in fact, John Ravenscroft's long-lost daughter (and thus Archie's cousin). Continuing on to Studley Grange, the detective finds Jasper and Aubrey Dexter locked in combat. He arrests Dexter and informs Jasper that his plans have been foiled: a stipulation in the Will means that Gertrude will inherit the bulk of the dead man's fortune. Trivia: Aubrey Dexter has false teeth. In this issue, the Editor announces that 'the great blow has fallen'... the country is now at war with Germany. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 569 · 5/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE MYSTERY OF SHAMROCK IV by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: E. E. Briscoe Other content: None  Notes: This tale features the real-life personality Sir Thomas Lipton, the Scottish grocery mogul who is mostly remembered today for his brand of tea. A keen yachtsman, Lipton first challenged for the America’s Cup in 1899, with his yacht, Shamrock I. He made five attempts to win the cup, but was never successful. This story is based around his fourth attempt. It begins during Cowes Week with Hon. John Lawliss and his servant Pete chartering a small yacht named Firefly. They have a run in with an American named Bowker who, with a number of colleagues, is aboard the Magda. Bowker employs Lawliss and Pete as his crew — a position Lawliss accepts due to his suspicion of the men. Meanwhile, Sir Thomas hires Sexton Blake to keep an eye on his racing yacht — Shamrock IV — in the lead up to the America's Cup race. A letter has warned Lipton that spies will attempt to steal the yacht's design secrets. Blake goes to Southampton in the guise of a Scot named George Stewart and takes possession of the Firefly when he finds it abandoned. That night, while moored near the Magda, he and Tinker witness a scuffle aboard their neighbour and watch as someone is thrown overboard. They rescue the man and discover that it is Pete. Blake learns from him that Lawliss is being held captive after he was caught eavesdropping. He had overheard the Americans planning to use diving suits to plant a mine beneath Shamrock IV. Blake goes to the Royal Navy and commandeers two diving suits and a diver named Garvan. When Lawliss escapes and warns that the attempt on Lipton's yacht is to be made, Blake and Garvan don their suits and dive into the sea. There, Garvan disables one of the two American divers while Blake follows the other, Bowker. However, Bowker manages to lose his pursuer and makes it back to the Magda while Blake becomes disorientated and lost on the sea bed. While he uses an anchor chain to haul himself aboard a yacht, Lawliss and Tinker sail in pursuit of the Magda which, inexpertly handled, runs aground. They chase their quarry ashore and follow the men to London. Blake, meanwhile, reaches the city ahead of them. Having identified the house where the villains are staying, Blake, Lawliss and Tinker raid it in the guise of policemen and charge the occupants with illegal gambling. Blake allows them to bribe him into letting them go on the condition that they leave the country at once. They agree to his terms.Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 570 · 12/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CASE OF THE GERMAN ADMIRAL by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: At "Ye Myrtle Bough" inn, situated in the depths of Epping Forest, the Hon. John Lawliss (later to be "Lawless") and his man, Pete, encounter Admiral Prince Heindrich who, on the eve of war, appears to be spying for Germany. Meanwhile, in London, the Foreign Office asks Sexton Blake to trace this same man. The trail leads the detective to the inn but, by this point, Lawliss and the enemy agent have both vanished. Heinrich had on him papers, which Lawliss saw, that identified a nearby tower as a rallying point for at least 200 Germans who are in the country awaiting the start of hostilities. Lawliss takes Heinrich captive and examines the building, finding it filled with weapons and uniforms. Soon he is defending the stronghold as hordes of Germans attack. Behind their lines, Blake and Tinker approach, eventually breaking through and joining their friends in the besieged tower. Taking their prisoner with them, they make a getaway, blowing up the building behind them. They return to the inn but, during the night, are attacked and captured. Only Tinker and Pete manage to escape the enemy who they then follow as far as London before employing Pedro to pick up the trail. It leads them to a house in which Blake and Lawliss have been held. However, the two men make their escape just as the detective's assistant arrives and they manage to take Heinrich captive once again. After a terrific fight with the Prince's cohorts, the police, fetched by Tinker, raid the premises. Heinrich pleads diplomatic immunity but is told that war has just been declared so he will be treated as a spy. Finally, a few stragglers who intend to blow up an army magazine in Hyde Park are defeated and Sexton Blake thus completes his initial assignment of the First World war. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 571 · 19/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d A FIGHT FOR AN EARLDOM by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: Val Reading Other content: When Kitchener was a Boy (article); A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: When the Earl of Glenmead dies, his brother, the Hon. Curtis Deming, will inherit the family estates. Only one thing might prevent this: the discovery that the Earl's son, Lord Deming, still lives. Presumed dead for many years, a rumour has arisen that he is alive and living in Arizona. Curtis Deming commissions The Council of Eleven to find this man and ensure that he never claims his inheritance. Meanwhile, the Earl asks Sexton Blake to find his son and bring him home. Since the detective wants to visit the States anyway, to investigate a mining company he owns shares in, he accepts the mission. Weeks later, on the Triple Bar Ranch in Arizona, the foreman, Curly Taylor, reports that a bandit leader named 'Hair-Trigger' Deering is responsible for recent cattle rustling. This is of great interest to two guests on the ranch, Baron de Beauremon and Duke Paul Servitch, who believe that Deering is Deming. Sexton Blake has also encountered the bandit, who he discovers is controlling a swindling operation at the mine. Endangered by the gang, he and Tinker escape, crossing into Triple Bar Ranch territory where they meet Taylor. After catching site of Beauremon and Servitch, the detective confides in the foreman and they decide to work together. Tinker discovers that Deering is using the silver mine to fund Mexican revolutionaries. Taylor rounds up his men and sets off to confront the bandits. The group is joined by Blake, Tinker, and the two men from the Coucil of Eleven. The latter hear the detective's revelation that Deering isn't the man they are looking for. Lord Deming is, in fact, one of the ranch-hands, a man who calls himself Wilson. During the subsequent gunfight with the Deering gang, de Beauremon takes a shot at Wilson and Blake responds by shooting the Baron in the arm. The fight against the bandits is won and Deering is trampled to death. Under threat from Blake, de Beauremon and Servitch leave with their mission unfulfilled. Blake and Tinker return to England with Lord Deming. So much of their success has been due to Tinker's scouting ability that the detective names this adventure 'Tinker's Triumph'. Trivia: When Blake instructs Tinker to book passage to America he advises him to make it under an assumed name... and suggests Carter. This is one of the earliest references to the surname which would one day be revealed as Tinker's true name. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 572 · 26/9/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE COMMERCE DESTROYER by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: Arthur Jones Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: My copy is missing its cover. Sexton Blake and Tinker are in New York having just finished a case with Fenlock Fawn. The American detective takes them to dinner but as they enter the hotel Blake spots an old enemy, Count Franz von Stoltz. The German spy is in conference with two crooks Blake has never met before but who Fawn knows well: Ezra Q. Maitland and his wife Broadway Kate. The detectives send Tinker in to eavesdrop while they, concerned that they'll be recognised, go elsewhere for their meal. The lad follows the three villains to a house where he overhears von Stoltz pay the Maitlands to board the S.S. Muratana which is due to carry £1,000,000 to England. They are to betray the ship's position to the German navy so that it can be captured. Tinker is caught listening and is imprisoned in a wireless room on the roof of the house. He manages to free himself long enough to send a signal for help before being knocked out by Grant, a murderer left to guard him by the now departed Maitlands. Blake gets the message and, with Fawn, raids the house, capturing Grant. After learning of the plot from Tinker, Blake borrows Fawn's seaplane and, with his assistant, sets off to catch up with the S.S. Muratana which had left port a couple of hours earlier. On board the ship, the Maitlands are double-booked — as an invalided named John P. Blundel and his daughter; and as Silas Morgan and his son. Ezra gains entry to the wireless room and sends his message but is interrupted and forced to make a desperate getaway. Blake arrives in the seaplane and clues lead him to the Blundels but he finds them vanished. Two German warships hove into view and panic is started among the passengers by Silas Morgan and his son. Blake recognises them as the Maitlands and, after a fight, captures and arrests them. British warships respond to the liner's distress calls and come to the rescue. But the adventure ends badly for Blake when the Maitlands escape in the seaplane. Trivia: In A Word from the Skipper, the Editor reveals that he has been receiving hate mail from a "pro-German" reader. This individual, a Canadian, also posted him a box of bees in the hope that, upon opening, they would sting him! Rating: An excellent war-time tale with Sexton Blake at his most patriotic. This is a superb debut for the Maitlands.
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 573 · 3/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE SWEATER'S PUNISHMENT; OR, THE CHAMPION OF THE OPPRESSED by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: Val Reading Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features Mlle. Yvonne Cartier. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 574 · 10/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CASE OF THE GERMAN TRADER by Anon. (Lewis Carlton) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features George Marsden Plummer. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 575 · 17/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d MADE IN GERMANY by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: Unknown Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: While in Folkestone, Sexton Blake saves a man from an attack by two German spies, Haltzfeld and Vonberg. Helped by Hon. John Lawliss, who has come to the seaside town in search of the detective, Blake captures the two assailants and hands them over to the police. The intended victim, Hugh Ross, explains that he had uncovered a Fake Press Bureau which, though its headquarters are in Berlin, also has a branch in London. From this, false reports about the allied war effort are issued to give the impression that the German forces are winning. Blake leads a police raid on the London premises and rounds up a large espionage ring. He and Lawliss then disguise themselves as Haltzfeld and Vonberg and travel to Berlin to bring the Bureau to an end. Their secondary mission is to rescue Lawliss's mother, who is trapped in Germany. After preventing a spy ship from laying mines, they arrive in the city and quickly free Lawliss's mother from captivity. They then plot to blow up the Fake News Bureau. This is achieved by means of a stolen plane and a few well-aimed bombs. Fleeing through the night sky, they eventually crash land only to discover that they've flown 200 miles in the wrong direction and are now on the Prussian Front. After foiling a German ambush on the Russian troops, the two men are taken prisoner and sentenced to death. At the very moment a firing squad is about to end their lives, they are saved by Dr. Hamann, the head of the Fake News Bureau. He takes charge of the two prisoners and escorts them back to Germany where he forces them to undertake a mission to guide a spy boat through the English channel to deliver false reports to England. They embark on the nefarious voyage but manage to overwhelm the crew and run the ship aground. With the reports destroyed and the Germans captured, their adventure ends. Trivia: This is an unusual story in that absolutely no mention is made of Tinker. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 576 · 24/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE REFUGEE by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: Val Reading Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: The war is raging in Europe and Sir William Gregory, head of the British Secret Service, has a dangerous mission for Sexton Blake. The detective must go behind enemy lines to find a captured British agent named Thorne. This man has vital documents pertaining to the part Turkey and Italy might take in the war. If he is already dead, the information may be found tattooed on the soles of his feet. Blake leaves for the continent with Tinker, who has been given an unattached commission to join troops at the Front. In Dieppe, Blake is approached in his hotel by Baron Robert de Beauremon, the head of The Council of Eleven. De Beauremon knows the detective's mission and states that Thorne is dead and that he, de Beauremon, has the documents which he will sell for £20,000. He had gained the papers via one of the Eleven, Madame Renee Montera. Blake says he will consider the offer. He then discovers that M. Montera is living in the room next door. He searches it and finds the documents but realises that they aren't genuine. When he confronts de Beauremon with this information, a terrific fight breaks out and he leaves the criminal unconscious. Days later, in the guise of an old man, Blake pierces the enemy lines with Pedro at his side. He hears of a Britisher who has been caught and tortured — his feet bady burned — and realises that the man is probably Thorne. At that moment, the object of his quest is being nursed by a disguised M Montera. She discovers from him where the documents are hidden and races to fetch them but is beaten to it by Blake. She denounces him to the Germans but before he is captured the detective hides the papers in Pedro's collar and sends him to find Tinker. The bloodhound makes a heroic journey across the Front lines, receiving many bullet-wounds, and eventually finds Tinker. The documents are handed over to the authorities and then Tinker and a group of Hussars mount a successful rescue mission, saving Blake and Thorne from a firing squad. Rating: Pedro gets a whole chapter to himself — and what a chapter it is! Possibly the bloodhound's finest moment in the whole Blake saga!
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 577 · 31/10/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d SEXTON BLAKE IN TOGOLAND by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: Arthur Jones Other content: None Notes: Henry Masters and Tom Powers discover a vein of gold running through their plantation in Togoland. They mine thirty cases but, after learning of the outbreak of war in Europe, they vow to keep their treasure hidden until it is safe to ship it from the country. They take it into the jungle and bury it but the effort is too much for the fever-ridden Masters and he drops dead. Powers makes a map of the hiding place which he conceals in his belt. At that moment, a servant who has followed the men stabs Powers in the back. He is about to strike a second blow when a lion kills him. The wounded Powers succumbs to fever and staggers deliriously through the jungle until he reaches the coast. He steals a canoe and paddles out to sea where, eventually, he is picked up by a merchant vessel. He is taken to Liverpool and lodged in a hotel at the captain's expense; by this time, he has recovered but his memory is a blank. When the captain tells the hotel manager that Powers had feverishly ranted about hidden gold during the voyage, he is overheard by one of the hotel guests: Broadway Kate. She immediately informs her husband, Ezra Q. Maitland and, that night, he attacks Powers and steals the belt. Meanwhile, a series of robberies carried out by the Maitlands' Chinese servant, Wang, has brought Sexton Blake to Liverpool. Pedro's nose leads the detective to the hotel and he begins to suspect the Maitlands' presence. But too late — they have departed. Blake hears Powers' story and sets off after the criminals. The chase leads across the sea to Togoland where, at the site where the treasure is buried, Blake manages to capture Ezra, Kate and Wang. Unfortunately, a troop of German soldiers arrives and Blake himself becomes a prisoner. Maitland cuts a deal with the German Commandant — a quarter of the gold — and gains his liberty. During the night, Tinker escapes and races away to fetch British soldiers. They arrive in force and the German troops are captured. Blake is released but, to his chagrin, he finds that the Maitlands have escaped — though empty-handed. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 578 · 7/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d BUSINESS AS USUAL by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: W. Tayler Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: After receiving an arm injury while working for the Intelligence Department, Hon. John Lawliss goes to the sleepy fishing village of Larsby for some R&R. He puts up in a hotel, the Larsby Hydro, which had originally been run by Germans until they mysteriously vanished three days before war was declared. Only their cook remains, now working for the new owners, Michael Brown and his wife. Lawliss quickly befriends the Browns, their daughter Lucy and her admirer, the local coastguard, Jack Bryce. However, during his first night in the hotel, Lawliss awakens at night and sees three men burying a corpse in the grounds — and they are wearing German uniforms! Next day, he plans with Bryce to dig up the corpse but is overheard by the cook who slips him a sleeping draught. When he awakens, the coastguard has vanished. Lawliss sends for Sexton Blake who soon arrives with Tinker and books into the Hydro. That night, Tinker receives one of the cook's narcotics and falls into a deep sleep. Blake, though, remains awake and sees the cook descend into the hotel's cellar. He follows only to find that she has mysteriously disappeared. Lucy discovers — and takes to Blake — a message from Bryce in which he claims he is being held prisoner. Tinker witnesses the cook moving oil-drums into the cellar and follows her but is attacked, knocked senseless and left for dead. When he recovers, he finds himself in a cave with Bryce, who is chained to a wall. The cave slopes into a pool which is connected to the sea via a submerged tunnel. Bryce explains that divers have been using this to come ashore from a German submarine which has been harrassing British ships around the East Coast. They have been stealing the hotel's stores with help from the cook. Tinker swims out through the tunnel and alerts Blake and Lawliss. They capture the cook and leave her tied up in the cave before then setting a trap in the cave. When the divers arrive they are captured and their suits are appropriated. Blake, Lawliss and Bryce use them to board and capture the submarine. They learn that the buried corpse was its former commander, killed in action. Meanwhile, in the cave, Tinker closes the entrance not realising that the cook is in the way of the secret door. It crushes her to death. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 579 · 14/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d A VOICE FROM THE DEAD by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: After the death of Wu Ling, his right-hand man — San — takes over as head of The Brotherhood of the Yellow Beetle. His first mission as leader is to recover an ancient treasure of gemstones which is hidden in an idol in the possession of a collector named Henry Chapland. Before San gets to the jewels, Professor Bray, who works for Chapland, finds thems and notifies his employer. Later, when they enter the house vault to look at the rubies and diamonds, they find that they've vanished from the idol. Sexton Blake is called in and suspects the robbery was commited through means of an Egyptian mummy which Bray had temporarily stored in the vault for his friend, Professor Collins. When Collins is found dead, Blake discovers that he was killed by a yellow beetle. He heads to the Limehouse district to see whether he can pick up any information but, unknown to him, his movements are followed and he is captured and taken to San. Bound hand and foot and placed into a sarcophagus, Blake is taken aboard a ship where San tells him that he'll to be taken to China and tortured. Tinker, meanwhile, realises that his guv'nor is missing and tracks him with Pedro. He rescues Blake and they make away with the jewels, leaving San to escape on the ship. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 580 · 21/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CASE OF THE SECRET EXPLOSIVE by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: A. Jones Other content: None Notes: With help from his friends Lord Glenton and the actor Lionel Vale, ace-cracksman Aubrey Dexter escapes from police custody. Eventually, he ends up in a remote region of Scotland with his valet, Roberts. There he witnesses the test of a secret explosive — Petronite — which has been invented by a Russian named Trevovitch. The scientist has with him his two assistants, Howard Fenton and Raymond Carr. Both men are in love with the Russian's daughter, Olga, but it is Fenton who has won her heart. The explosive, when demonstrated, proves too shockingly destructive for the government inspectors sent to watch the test. Much to Trevovitch's disgust, they refuse to purchase the invention. All this is observed by Dexter... but also by another man: Baron Von Gluck, a German agent. Dexter follows this man and, later, sees him conspiring with Carr. That night, Trevovitch is murdered, the explosive's formula is stolen from his safe, and the evidence suggests that Fenton is to blame. Sexton Blake is called to Whitehall where Earl Kitchener and Sir Henry Fairfax commission him to investigate the killing. The detective travels to Scotland with Tinker and Detective-Inspector Martin. Blake quickly recognises that Trevovitch's safe was cracked by Aubrey Dexter and Pedro leads him to a nearby farmhouse, the home of Von Gluck. Here he finds proof that the German killed the inventor. He also finds Dexter in the process of robbing Von Gluck's safe. Captured, the cracksman explains that he had attempted to steal the formula from Trevovitch's safe in order to prevent it falling into enemy hands. However, Von Gluck had interrupted him, gained possession of the documents and made off after killing the Russian. Suddenly, the German appears and a struggle ensues. The spy is captured but Dexter takes the opportunity to escape. Sexton Blake delivers the explosive formula to Earl Kitchener and, for his reward, he requests that Petronite is never used. Trivia: This is the third story to feature the actor Lionel Vale. The first was THE WORKINGS OF CHANCE (UJ 536); the second Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 581 · 28/11/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE BLOOD BROTHERS by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: Harry Lane Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 582 · 5/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE GREAT CIGARETTE MYSTERY by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: Val Reading Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Story features Mlle. Yvonne Cartier. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 583 · 12/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE CASE OF THE BELGIAN RELIEF FUND by Anon. (J. W. Bobin) · Illustrator: H. M. Lewis Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: Aboard the liner Melrose, arriving in England from Australia, are a disguised Ezra Q. Maitland, Broadway Kate and their servant Yang. There are also five cases of gold which have been collected by philathropists as aid for the Belgians. Maitland learns that this is to be transferred to Sir Thomas Carstairs' steam yacht, the Sea Queen, before being taken to Belgium by Carstairs, his daughter Grace, and her beau, Lord Hugh Lymington. The criminal plans to get his hands on the fortune but is dismayed to find that Sexton Blake has been commissioned to guard the gold during the transfer. He visits the detective at Baker Street and attempts to murder him. Their fight pracactically wrecks the house but Maitland, who fails in his mission, gets away. He and Kate capture and imprison the Carstairs and Lymington. With Ezra impersonating Sir Thomas and Kate done up as Lord Hugh, they board the Sea Queen, overpower Detective-Inspector Martin, who is guarding the safe, steal the gold and make their getaway. Blake and Martin find and release Maitland's prisoners then the Baker Street detective traces his foe and purposely walks into a trap. Tinker follows with Martin and a squad of policemen. Blake is rescued and the gold is recovered but the Maitland's escape and vow vengeance upon the detective. Trivia: Mrs Bardell keeps a pet tabby cat which is killed during this story. The author states that there is a gate at the bottom of the steps which lead up to the Baker Street house's front door. Rating:
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 584 · 19/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 2d A SOLDIER AND A MAN by Anon. (George Hamilton Teed) · Illustrator: Val Reading Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.); The Fall of Antwerp by R. Thompson. Notes: My copy is missing a cover. Double Christmas issue featuring Mlle. Yvonne Cartier. Unrated |
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UNION JACK · New series · Issue 585 · 26/12/1914 · Amalgamated Press · 1d THE WHITE FEATHER by Anon. (Andrew Murray) · Illustrator: W. Taylor Other content: A Word from the Skipper (ed.) Notes: None at present. Unrated |
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