The Firefly of France

"The Firefly of France" by Marion Polk Angellotti is a historical novel set against the backdrop of World War I, where Devereux Bayne journeys from America to France and becomes entangled in a dangerous game of espionage. The narrative explores themes of loyalty and bravery as Bayne's personal quest clashes with the turmoil of war, beginning with a stay at the Hotel St. Ives, where he is questioned by his guardian, Peter Dunstan, and an encounter with a German intruder. The story escalates when Bayne is wrongly accused of being a spy and in possession of sensitive papers for German agents, creating a suspenseful and humorous situation that is further complicated by the appearance of Esme Falconer, a girl from his past, whose re-emergence adds romance and complexity to his already perilous journey.