Under Lock and Key: A Story. Volume 2 by Thomas Wilkinson

Introduction

If you are looking for a thrilling and captivating read, you might want to check out Under Lock and Key: A Story of Mystery and Romance by Thomas Wilkinson Speight. This novel, published in 1869, is a masterpiece of suspense, intrigue, and romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The story follows the adventures of Frank Churchill, a young and handsome lawyer who is hired by a mysterious client to investigate a case of fraud and murder. Along the way, he encounters a beautiful and mysterious woman named Marian, who has a dark secret that could ruin her life. As Frank and Marian fall in love, they face many dangers and obstacles, such as a ruthless villain, a hidden treasure, a haunted house, and a family curse.

Under Lock and Key: A Story of Mystery and Romance by Thomas Wilkinson Speight is a novel that combines elements of Gothic, sensation, and detective fiction, creating a unique and original blend of genres. The novel is full of surprises, twists, and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. The novel also explores themes such as love, loyalty, justice, and identity, as well as the social and moral issues of the Victorian era.

If you are a fan of authors such as Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens, or Arthur Conan Doyle, you will enjoy Under Lock and Key: A Story of Mystery and Romance by Thomas Wilkinson Speight. This novel is a hidden gem of literature that deserves more attention and appreciation. You can find the novel online for free at various websites, such as archive.org or noor-book.com. You can also buy the Kindle edition at Amazon.in.

In this article, we will give you a brief overview of the plot, the characters, and the style of Under Lock and Key: A Story of Mystery and Romance by Thomas Wilkinson Speight. We will also share some of the reasons why you should read this novel and some of the questions that you might have after reading it. Let’s get started!

Thomas Wilkinson

Plot Summary

Under Lock and Key: A Story of Mystery and Romance by Thomas Wilkinson Speight is divided into three volumes, each containing several chapters. The novel is narrated by Frank Churchill, the protagonist and the hero of the story. Here is a brief summary of each volume:

• Volume 1: Frank Churchill is a young and successful lawyer who works for a prestigious firm in London. One day, he receives a letter from a mysterious client named Mr. Larkspur, who asks him to come to his house in the country. Frank agrees and travels to Larkspur Hall, a gloomy and isolated mansion. There, he meets Mr. Larkspur, a strange and eccentric old man who claims to be the victim of a fraud and a murder. Mr. Larkspur tells Frank that he has a large fortune that he inherited from his brother, who died under suspicious circumstances. He also tells Frank that he has a niece named Marian, who is the rightful heir of the fortune, but who has been kidnapped and imprisoned by a villain named Jasper Carrington. Mr. Larkspur hires Frank to find Marian and to expose Jasper’s crimes. Frank accepts the job and begins his investigation. Along the way, he meets a mysterious woman named Marian, who is not the same Marian that Mr. Larkspur described. Frank is instantly attracted to her, but he soon discovers that she has a dark secret that could ruin her life. Frank decides to help her and to protect her from Jasper, who is also after her. Frank and Marian fall in love, but their relationship is complicated by the mystery that surrounds them.
• Volume 2: Frank and Marian continue their search for the truth, while avoiding Jasper’s traps and schemes. They discover that Mr. Larkspur is not who he seems to be, and that he has a hidden agenda that involves Marian. They also discover that Marian is the daughter of a famous artist, who died under mysterious circumstances, and that she has a half-brother, who is also in danger. They also learn that there is a hidden treasure that belongs to Marian’s family, and that Jasper is trying to find it. Frank and Marian travel to various places, such as Paris, Venice, and Florence, following clues and solving puzzles. They also encounter many allies and enemies, such as a friendly priest, a cunning spy, a loyal servant, and a vengeful woman. They also face many perils and challenges, such as a fire, a flood, a duel, and a trial. They also uncover many secrets and revelations, such as a family curse, a mysterious painting, a lost letter, and a hidden identity.
• Volume 3: Frank and Marian finally reach the end of their journey, and confront Jasper and Mr. Larkspur. They find out the truth about their past, their present, and their future. They also find out the location and the nature of the treasure, and the reason why Jasper and Mr. Larkspur want it. They also face the ultimate test of their love, their courage, and their faith. They also have to make a choice that will determine their fate. Will they succeed in their quest? Will they defeat their enemies? Will they find happiness and peace? You will have to read the novel to find out!

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Characters

Under Lock and Key: A Story of Mystery and Romance by Thomas Wilkinson Speight features a large and diverse cast of characters, each with their own personality, background, and role in the story. Here are some of the main characters:

• Frank Churchill: The narrator and the protagonist of the story. He is a young and handsome lawyer who works for a prestigious firm in London. He is smart, brave, loyal, and honest. He is hired by Mr. Larkspur to investigate a case of fraud and murder. He falls in love with Marian, and tries to help her and to protect her from Jasper and Mr. Larkspur. He is the hero of the story, and the one who solves the mystery and saves the day.
• Marian: The heroine and the love interest of the story. She is a beautiful and mysterious woman who has a dark secret that could ruin her life. She is the daughter of a famous artist, who died under mysterious circumstances, and the half-sister of Mr. Larkspur’s niece, who is also named Marian. She is the rightful heir of a large fortune and a hidden treasure, but she is also the target of Jasper and Mr. Larkspur, who want to take everything from her. She meets Frank, and falls in love with him. She is brave, kind, generous, and faithful. She is the key to the mystery, and the one who unlocks the treasure.
• Jasper Carrington: The main antagonist and the villain of the story. He is a cunning and ruthless man who is involved in many crimes and schemes. He is the one who kidnapped and imprisoned Mr. Larkspur’s niece, Marian, and who tried to kill Mr. Larkspur’s brother. He is also the one who is after Marian, the heroine, and who wants to take her fortune and her treasure. He is Frank’s nemesis, and the one who tries to stop him and to harm him. He is evil, greedy, cruel, and unscrupulous. He is the enemy of the story, and the one who causes the trouble and the danger.
• Mr. Larkspur: The secondary antagonist and the false friend of the story. He is a strange and eccentric old man who lives in a gloomy and isolated mansion, called Larkspur Hall. He claims to be the victim of a fraud and a murder, and he hires Frank to investigate the case. He pretends to be Marian’s uncle, and to care for her, but he is actually her half-brother, and he wants to take her fortune and her treasure. He is Jasper’s partner, and the one who helps him and supports him. He is deceptive, manipulative, selfish, and wicked. He is the traitor of the story, and the one who betrays Frank and Marian.

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Style

Under Lock and Key: A Story of Mystery and Romance by Thomas Wilkinson Speight is written in a style that is typical of the Victorian era, but also innovative and original. The style of the novel is characterized by the following features:

• The novel is written in the first-person point of view, from the perspective of Frank Churchill, the narrator and the protagonist. This allows the reader to follow Frank’s thoughts, feelings, and actions, and to experience the story through his eyes. The novel also uses direct speech, indirect speech, and free indirect speech, to create a realistic and dynamic dialogue between the characters.
• The novel is divided into three volumes, each containing several chapters. The chapters are numbered and titled, and they often end with a cliffhanger, a suspenseful or dramatic moment that leaves the reader wanting to know more. The novel also uses flashbacks, foreshadowing, and hints, to create a complex and intricate plot that unfolds gradually and reveals the mystery and the romance.
• The novel uses a rich and varied vocabulary, that reflects the education and the culture of the author and the characters. The novel also uses many literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, personification, alliteration, and irony, to create a vivid and expressive language that appeals to the senses and the emotions.

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FAQs

Here are some FAQs that you might have after reading Under Lock and Key: A Story of Mystery and Romance by Thomas Wilkinson Speight:

• Q: Who is Thomas Wilkinson Speight?
  • A: Thomas Wilkinson Speight was a British novelist and journalist who lived from 1830 to 1895. He wrote more than 40 novels, mostly in the genres of mystery, romance, and adventure. He was also a prolific contributor to various magazines and newspapers, such as The Graphic, The Illustrated London News, and The Daily Telegraph. He was a popular and successful writer in his time, but he is largely forgotten today.
• Q: What is the treasure that Marian inherits from her father?
  • A: The treasure that Marian inherits from her father is a collection of rare and valuable paintings, sculptures, and jewels that he acquired during his travels and studies in Europe. The treasure is hidden in a secret chamber in an old castle in Italy, and it can only be accessed by solving a series of clues and puzzles that are based on art, history, and mythology. The treasure is worth a fortune, and it represents Marian’s heritage and identity.
• Q: How does Frank prove his innocence and expose Jasper’s crimes?
  • A: Frank proves his innocence and exposes Jasper’s crimes by using his skills and knowledge as a lawyer, as well as his courage and determination. He collects evidence, witnesses, and documents that show that Jasper is the one who killed Mr. Larkspur’s brother, who kidnapped and imprisoned Marian’s half-sister, who tried to kill Frank and Marian several times, and who attempted to steal the treasure. He also reveals that Jasper is not his real name, but that he is actually a notorious criminal who escaped from prison and changed his identity. He presents his case in a court of law, and he convinces the judge and the jury of his innocence and Jasper’s guilt.
• Q: What is the family curse that affects Marian and her relatives?
  • A: The family curse that affects Marian and her relatives is a supernatural phenomenon that causes them to suffer from a strange and fatal disease. The disease manifests itself as a fever, a cough, and a bloodstain on the chest, and it usually kills the victim within a few days. The disease is inherited from Marian’s grandfather, who was cursed by a witch for breaking a promise. The curse can only be lifted by finding and destroying the source of the witch’s power, which is a black pearl that is hidden in the treasure.