A Bid for Fortune; Or, Dr. Nikola's Vendetta

"A Bid for Fortune; Or, Dr. Nikola's Vendetta" by Guy Boothby is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story weaves a tapestry of adventure and intrigue, centering around the enigmatic Dr. Nikola and his plans for revenge against powerful adversaries. The narrative introduces the main protagonist, Richard Hatteras, who is set on a fateful journey, intertwining with Nikola's mysterious dealings." "The opening of the book sets the stage with a scene involving the manager of an upscale restaurant perplexed by a peculiar letter ordering a lavish dinner for four from a distant land. The letter, signed by Dr. Nikola, hints at a meeting of great importance, drawing in three seemingly unrelated men from across the globe. As the characters gather in anticipation of what Dr. Nikola has in store, we learn about Richard Hatteras, a strong and independent man from Queensland, whose own travels and adventures will soon converge with Nikola's schemes, suggesting a thrilling mix of personal discovery and high-stakes intrigue ahead." (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Guy Newell Boothby was a prolific Australian novelist and writer, noted for sensational fiction in variety magazines around the end of the nineteenth century. He lived mainly in England. He is best known for such works as the Dr Nikola series, about an occultist criminal mastermind who is a Victorian forerunner to Fu Manchu, and Pharos, the Egyptian, a tale of Gothic Egypt, mummies' curses and supernatural revenge. Rudyard Kipling was his friend and mentor, and his books were remembered with affection by George Orwell.