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SUCCESSFUL NOVELS
By AMBROSE PRATT.
VIGOROUS DAUNT, BILLIONAIRE.
The Newcastle Journal.--"Mr. Ambrose Pratt has with conspicuous success
followed up his previous ventures in the world of romance with a tale
that for sensation and daring originality goes to the furthermost
limit. 'Vigorous Daunt' is an amazing creation."
The Sheffield Telegraph.--"'Vigorous Daunt, Billionaire,' is worthy of
a place among the best of its kind. The book is capital reading."
The Scotsman.--"The novel is at once fresh, witty, ingenious, and full
of entertainment. In his portrayal of character and the creation of
incidents and situations, Mr. Pratt's audacity simply defies criticism;
he has given free rein, with literary taste, to a vivacious
imagination."
The Dundee Courier.--"If you want innocent excitement read 'Vigorous
Daunt.' His wild adventures will make you grasp your chair-arms as you
read."
The Hull Weekly News.--"Well written, this book is one that can be well
recommended. It is certain to keep the attention and to prove
attractive."
JAN DIGBY.
Financial Times.--"The book is written in a clear, lively style, and as
the interest is well sustained to the end, it should enhance the
author's already considerable reputation."
People's Saturday Journal.--"A tale in no wise lacking in human
interest. From the first page to the last the tale grips, and its
pleasant humour is well handled and its cynicism will appeal to all who
like a breezy tale well told."
The Bristol Times.--"Mr. Ambrose Pratt has given us of the best of his
work in this tale. We have not for some time read a novel that
interested and held us right through as this has done."
Glasgow Herald.--"The very considerable merit of the story lies in its
vivid picture of the resolutely adverse and conflicting forces. Besides
illustrating the author's grip of characterization, the story gives
fresh evidence of his descriptive vigour and his literary
accomplishment."
Northern Whig.--"A tale at once cleverly told and absorbingly
interesting throughout. It will appeal to all readers who relish rapid
movement and imaginative sweep of a writer who evidently closely
observes men and manners."
THE COUNTERSTROKE.
The Daily Telegraph.--"Mr. Pratt is nothing if not startling. In this
story he unfolds amazing experiences in such a dauntless and effective
manner that he almost succeeds in making such curious and furiously
exciting adventures appear to be real."
The Daily Graphic.--"In 'The Counterstroke' the author has surpassed
his previous efforts and given us a tale which is daring in its
conception and powerful in its narration. From the first page, on which
we are introduced to the 'Academy of ex-Ambassadors' and Mr. Perigord,
their mysterious master, down to the last, the book never loses its
hold upon the reader."
Dundee Advertiser.--"Ambrose Pratt is to be heartily congratulated on
the imaginary gifts and the marvellous ingenuity displayed in his book.
It is one of absorbing interest, and the reader pursues with almost
breathless eagerness the many and varied experiences of Lord Francis
Crossingham, the brave hero of the book."
The People's Journal.--"There have been many Nihilist novels written,
but few which contain the grip and strength of Mr. Ambrose Pratt's
story. His plot is daring to a degree. It is worked out with an
ingenuity which cannot but appeal to all those readers who like a
cleverly-constructed romance in which the interest is kept up to the
end."
The Evening News.--"A novel never to be forgotten."
Belfast Northern Whig.--"A story which keeps the reader absorbed all
the time."
The Dublin Daily Express.--"A novel which should be eagerly read, and
anyone who reads it will look eagerly for further books from Mr.
Pratt's pen."
The Newcastle Chronicle.--"Tremendously exciting."
Southport Visitor.--"Crowded with incident, is full of excitement, and
abounds in dramatic and delicate situations."
Leeds Mercury.--"Written in vigorous and dashing style, the story will
certainly commend itself to a wide circle of readers."
FIRST PERSON PARAMOUNT
[Frontispiece: "In another second I had him by the throat." (Page 189)
_First Person Paramount_] [_Frontispiece_]
FIRST PERSON PARAMOUNT
BY
AMBROSE PRATT
AUTHOR OF
"VIGOROUS DAUNT: BILLIONAIRE," ETC., ETC.
_ILLUSTRATED BY J. MACFARLANE_
LONDON
WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED
1908
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
The House in Curzon Street