The Ball of Fortune

By Charles E. Pearce

This was Pearce’s first published book that hadn't previously been serialised in a magazine. It was first published in 1883 by Blackie & Son. All of his subsequent works would be published by Stanley Paul.

Blackie published three editions of this book. The first edition and second editions have exactly the same text block, running to 232 pages, though the second edition misses out some decoration at the head and tail of the chapters. The third edition has the text re-set, running to 191 pages.

My second edition has an inscription in the front dating it to 1906, and my third edition was given as a Christmas present in 1927.

All three editions have different illustrations.

Contents

• Prologue
• I. Half-mast High
• II. A Night Attack
• III. In which Ned makes Himself at Home
• IV. In Search of the Skipper’s Son
• V. Hatching a Plot
• VI. Bob Locket Calls upon Mr. Grigsby
• VII. On Board the “Betsy Jane.”
• VIII. Lampard Announces the Failure of the Plot
• IX. Diamond Cut Diamond
• X. Ned Makes his Escape
• XI. Ned Meets with Fresh Friends
• XII. The Plot Succeeds
• XIII. Ned Hears Strange News
• XIV. Ned Meets his Aunt
• XV. The Cannon-ball Reappears
• XVI. Jack Grigsby’s Clever Trick