Whispers at Dawn; Or, The Eye

"Whispers at Dawn; Or, The Eye" by Roy J. Snell is an early 20th-century thrilling mystery that follows Johnny Thompson after he buys three black boxes at an auction, leading him into strange adventures full of magic and electrical wonders. The story begins with Johnny arriving at an odd Chicago brownstone, hoping to return a professor’s missing books he bought; instead, he finds eerie eyes in the walls, a dancing skeleton that looks just like him, and a girl named Beth who pulls him into a world of magic and dangers. As Johnny explores this haunted place, he soon discovers various conflicts that all stem from obtaining the professor's belongings and the lurking threats from questionable figures. This sets the stage for a suspenseful quest where Johnny's courage is tested as he faces dangerous events and forms unlikely friendships.