The Man Who Disappeared | L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace | A Bitesized Audiobook
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ค. 2024
- Charles Pleydell receives an unexpected visit from his old friend Oscar Digby, an explorer, with news of an exciting discovery in South America. But it soon becomes clear that some devious villains are on Digby's track... Can Pleydell act in time to save his friend and secure the secret? Story begins at 00:01:18
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content):
* Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesize...
* Monthly support on Patreon: / bitesizedaudio
* Donate via PayPal: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
* Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/
* Become a Bitesized Audio Classics member on TH-cam, from $1 / £1 / €1 per month:
/ bitesizedaudioclassics
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:18 The Man Who Disappeared
01:01:00 Credits and thanks
L. T. Meade (Elizabeth Thomasina Meade Smith, 1844-1914) was born in County Cork, Ireland. She began writing fiction at the age of 17, and had a highly prolific career, publishing almost 300 books in her lifetime. She married Alfred Toulmin Smith in London, in 1879, when she was in her mid-30s. She was an advocate of feminist causes, and as a solo writer became most associated with adventure stories for girls and young people, of which the most famous was ‘A World of Girls’, published in 1886.
However, she was also well known for her many mystery and suspense stories, and her name appeared frequently in the periodicals of the 1890s and early 1900s. Interestingly, in this genre she often wrote in collaboration with medical practitioners; first with Dr. Clifford Halifax, with whom she produced a series entitled ‘Stories from the Diaries of a Doctor’ in 1893, and later with Robert Eustace, who collaborated with her on several successful series from the mid-1890s onwards. It’s not fully known how the collaborations worked, but it seems likely that she did the majority of the actual writing while the doctors supplied the ideas and scientific details which underpin many of the plots.
Robert Eustace is something of a shadowy figure. It's obviously a pen name, but the identity of the person behind the name is very uncertain. The most often cited candidate is Dr. Eustace Robert Barton, although there’s no certainty or consensus about that, not least because his given birth date varies wildly between sources (1854, 1869 or 1871, depending on the source), and he’s recorded as having died in both 1932 and 1943, and also as still living (but retired) in 1947. This confusion suggests to me that two different people may have used the same pseudonym. Whoever he was, aside from his work with L. T. Meade, the pen name of Robert Eustace is probably best remembered today for a much later work of crime fiction, collaborating with Dorothy L. Sayers on her 1930 novel 'The Documents of the Case'.
Together Meade and Eustace created a number of recurring characters, including John Bell, who describes himself in the introduction to his collected stories as "a professional exposer of ghosts, and one who can clear away the mysteries of most haunted houses" - making him in effect a more sceptical counterpart to William Hope Hodgson's Carnacki, the Ghost Finder (who first appeared in print a decade or so later). Bell featured in a series of stories in Cassell’s Magazine in 1897, which were later published in book form under the title 'A Master of Mysteries' in 1898. I've recorded this series, which is available to listen here:
• A Master of Mysteries ...
'The Man Who Disappeared' first appeared in the December 1901 issue of The Strand Magazine.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2024 - บันเทิง
![[Full Episode] MasterChef Junior Thailand มาสเตอร์เชฟ จูเนียร์ ประเทศไทย Season 3 Episode 5](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/g5wpgeAIzMs/mqdefault.jpg)
![[TH] VCT Pacific Stage 2 - Week 4 Day 3 // GEN vs TS | PRX vs ZETA](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nspkjQuZve0/mqdefault.jpg)
![[FULL EP.14] เซียนหรั่ง สอน มาร์ชจุ จับปูนา ฮากระจาย | เฮ็ดอย่างเซียนหรั่ง | One Playground](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/M8mPjd_T2lo/mqdefault.jpg)
Story begins at 00:01:18 Charles Pleydell receives an unexpected visit from his old friend Oscar Digby, an explorer, with news of an exciting discovery in South America. But it soon becomes clear that some devious villains are on Digby's track... Can Pleydell act in time to save his friend and secure the secret? See the video description for some background notes on the authors.
If you enjoyed this story you may enjoy some of my previous readings of Meade and Eustace stories, 'A Master of Mysteries', featuring "professional exposer of ghosts" John Bell, available here: th-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZLC2ixFiWF3flPkm1JhyCnJ.html
Or for a selection of other Victorian and Edwardian detectives, you may like to try my "Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZL5tiXECltwXUI2QDDFrDHD.html
Excellent accent! I love it! I love the story and I love your performance! Genuinely, it makes the world of a difference that you are an actor! Best wishes! 🙏
@@mariameere5807you are soooo right.
Thank you!
Well said! We adore them as well…relaxing at the end of a long day
Super! (And I love the beard! You remind me of Shakespeare.)👍🏻😊
Do you see how happy we all are when you put out a new video? It's just so exciting! ❤️
Very kind of you, thank you Gina!
You are spoiling us Simon we adore you and your beautiful dulcet tones and you know how I feel about this author! Like me from Ireland but with an English heart! I get homesick for London now if I leave!! 🙏💜🪷✨
Simon Stanhope and Tony Walker are by far the best narrators of audiobooks. Brilliant talents and a genuine passion for the stories and their authors.
Not familiar with Tony Walker (yet) but totally agree with you about Mr Stanhope. The best! I must add my other fave narrator, Greg Wagland (aka Magpie Audio).
Tony Walker is great with his ghost stories. I favor Simon but both r awesome story tellers!!❤@@crimsonwolf9099
I agree that Simon is a wonderful narrator. I also recommend Jasper Le strange who narrates and also writes stories for Encrypted Horror
@@parabellum2126 I agree with all mentioned so far, but you can'@t forget @Horrorbabble.
@@parabellum2126, 💯
My cup runneth over. I do not even care that my new rose bushes are just sitting there looking green and naked, refusing to bloom. 😁🤗
They will if you play this to them!🌟🕊🤍🕊
🌹🥀🌷🥀🌹
@@mariameere5807 I should try it...nothing else seems to be working and listening to Simon certainly makes me happy!😂
Look in the mirror ma'am, I'm sure a rose is blooming there.
Marcie, I am jealous! What a beautiful reply you got! I have a cactus 🌵 it’s the first plant I’ve not overwatered and loved to death!!!
@@mariameere5807 I almost gave up on plants of any kind a few years ago. My dear friend gave me a Norfolk pine tree and as hard as I tried, I managed to kill it. The guilt was overwhelming! But my Mom lives with me now and she at 90 years young, is a master gardener and I have learned so much from her and am back in the ranks of the green thumbs....With very close adult supervision.😂
Aaaaaand relax. Thank you Mr Stanhope for another fabulous story telling. 😊
Thanks for the great reading Simon ❤
Hi, Simon. I'm glad to see your face. I can't stop to talk right now, I have a new story to listen too.
Thanks so much, I'm sure it will be perfect, as always.
Simon, you have been my go to story teller for well over a year and will be for many moons to come.
You elevate the material as the author intended to Globe theater levels of excellence. I'm glad to be a member now and look forward to tales throughout the summer.
Ps. hoping for something spooky soon :)
Oooh! Marvelous. Tks Simon
I thought I had heard of all LT Meade & Eustace stories, but this one is new to me. What a treat! Thank you!
Thank you Simon! 👍❤
Thank you, Simon! (Oh, love the facial hair!)
Thank you Charlotte!
Thank you Simon. I really liked this one. I appreciate your work.
Another long one. Deep joy. More is more when it comes to my beloved Simon. Oh, and nice to see you getting your Bear on in the intro vid. Woof! 🤭 ❤
A chilling story, so marvelously performed! Thank you, Simon! You are the best
Always a perfect pleasure. Thank you so much! ❤❤
Love the accent! I would so enjoy seeing you on stage. 💚💚💚🍀🍀🍀
What a treat. 😀
That was a pretty good story, beautifully narrated. I count you among my blessings, Simon.
And suddenly there is no more any mention of the tresor map, so it is a very unsatisfactory ending when murderers not only cannot be procecuted but become ones of the richest people on earth 😂. No fault of the narrator of course, who is always a pleasure to listen to. Thank you.
Wonderful story!! It's got everything... mystery, intrigue, danger, a gold mine, a creepy dark mansion and all needed to keep u on the edge of your seat. ❤
Perfect timing.
Ah the upper Essequibo- a region I know well having lived with Amerindian people during my fieldwork as an anthropologist- there are still those who come looking for gold and diamonds there, but no chart ever leads to vast riches…Pleydell rather an opportunist in the end though, I must say…
Yayyy! I'm a member now! Thank you so much for all the joy your narations bring me!
Thank you so much for your support!
Another fantastic upload. Very happy that the last two uploads have been an hour long. Nothing is sweeter than being able to listen to these new wonderful narrations for literally hours on end
A wonderfull rare treat, much thanks
Wonderful! I knew that damned tank had something to do with it. But I kept thinking of that awful fiend John George Haigh. I knew it could be that because he could never get rid of the bones, revolting man. But what was it then? What a surprise! Thank you so much Simon. So beautifully read as always ❤
Such suspense & intrigue!
Thank you-brilliant 🥰
7.55 going to sleep.
Bram Stoker must feel violated. Turning in his grave even.
I may well.be wrong said I.
Another great story and new to me. As usual a stellar performance from yourself, again setting the bar high for the competition. Thank you ❤
Like the beard Simon, most distinguished,sir.x love your work 😌
I love the story but even more so loving the facial hair....fabulous!!
Just totally wonderful!!!
That was a disturbing solution to the mysterious disappearance! My mind was running to hidden trapdoors and priest holes, I must admit.
Welcome back it's an age since I've had a download from you, most likely YT has been playing the lottery on what I receive, last time I got one you were clean shaven.!!!!, must admit the beard does suit you. Thank you for this intriguing tale, most enjoyable😊
Excellent as always Simon. Many thanks.
Your uploads are always a treat, Simon.
Thrilling to see you again - such fun
Wonderful, both the story and the reading
This is a great one. Love the new intro and the beard! Thanks, Simon ☺️
Excellent!!!
You are a wonderful Artist!!!
So nice to hear from you again 😍
I had not heard this one before; thank you.
Thesse stories are quaint and charming, but that's just the icing on the horrors of the plot!!
Thank you so much 😊
Fab-a whole hour! Looking forward to this ...😍
Excellent reading, as always. And, if I may say so, the beard suits you well.
The Law of Constant Conservation - "Matter can neither be created or destroyed!"
Thank you.
Thanks
This is great
Beautifully read and very effective. The story itself was unexpectedly dark and chilling. Also exasperating! - why must characters ignore sound advice?
Very true... but I guess if they did listen, there wouldn't be as many great tales...
@@baruchben-david4196 Fair comment. Just as many horror films would end tamely after a mere 10 minutes if the protagonists showed an ounce of self-preservation when someone says 'Let's break into the haunted lunatic asylum at midnight'!
Great story until the very end. Good grief, they both lived happily ever after!
Not the most original of endings, I agree!
Right on 😊
Thanks mate,from NZ.😊
So happy...love the beard!
That beard
quite rakish...🙂
thank you for the story
Really like your beard! Looks good. As always, thanks so much for your talent sharing😊
Thanks!
Thank you!
By all means go to dinner with your buddy but take care to bring a 45 cal semi auto pistol with a few xtra clips..
Hello Simon. It's 1740 and I'm in bed already with my 3 cats. I'm here in Tasmania 🇦🇺 and it's really cold 🥶❄️. I'll listen to you until I awake tomorrow ❣️😁
Hi I'm a new subscriber! I really hit the jackpot with your channel & I'm loving it, but there's so many I was wondering if someone could point me to one that takes place on a farm?
Thanks for subscribing! The only farm-related story which springs to mind is 'Nut Bush Farm', by Charlotte Riddell... one of my earliest efforts (over 4 years ago), available here: th-cam.com/video/D3m1ezYdQ2g/w-d-xo.html
@@BitesizedAudio thank you so much!
❤❤❤
Have you recorded other Hamilton Cleek stories, and where can we find them? ❤❤
Only one other so far, the "origin story" for the character: available here, in case you missed it: th-cam.com/video/Z-QYxGJQvZk/w-d-xo.html
I do hope to record some more of his adventures in the future
Nope... No way they actually were allowed to leave... What sort of "friend" or police would allow them to walk??
😊 Simon Stanhope 😊 to be or not to be 🔝 what matter 🔝 🔝 the dealer 😊 or 🔝 the house 🏡 😊 ©
quote unquote © the rain ☔ in ______ falls mainly on the ⏸ ✈ 😊
🖤🖤🖤🖤
One wonders if this story is where Haigh the acid bath murderer got the idea.
There probably wasn't much of a market for liquid air at the time. Hardly a good business practice to schlep giant tanks around. Btw, one wonders if the Brazilian nuts left empty-handed, or if their goal was achieved.
As ever, I enjoy your reading very much, but the story puzzles me. Even if the daughter - for whatever reason - doesn't write to Digby directly with her warning, why does Pleydell not tell him the source of his fears, instead of stating seemingly baseless distrust? Am I missing something, or does this make no sense, except in the interest of prolonging the story and artificially sustaining the suspense?
I know what you mean. I couldn't help but wonder [SPOILER ALERT for anyone who hasn't listened yet] why Pleydell didn't just show the lady's letter to his friend to convince him of the genuineness of the danger, rather than making ambiguous hints ... But, as you say, it would have shortened the drama somewhat and we wouldn't have had the ingenious denouement/solution
I've always thought this gentleman is a class act. If Vinsent Price had a bast#d son he'd be it! ❤
Was the Inspectors first Name Jack
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
how about the diaper new look on the intro 👏👏👊😎 keep up the good work
Ha! I’m quite sure you meant DAPPER. 😁
@@sandraelder1101 damn auto correct. it has no appreciation for classic literature. I apparently have no time for proofreading... bring on the midsummer maddness
@Vixnsix Glad we cleared that up!
Mmm why did he marry a murderer omg!!!
The BBC (both radio & TV) should be tapping you on your shoulder with a view to once again creating some quality programming.
I'm sorry to inform you that is the longest of long shots. The cultural climate has changed irreversibly.
Shes no lady....
No disrespect.
Are you aware that another channel is using your voice on AI to read stories?
What channel is that?
@@vickif.4645 neuralsurfer
@jwsuicides8095 A few people have warned me about this... although having listened to a few samples I don't think it is my voice, there's perhaps an echo of my tone in places. I thought it sounded a bit like Jared Harris. But I really appreciate your concern in flagging it up, thank you: it's something I know I need to keep aware of.
The ending is disappointing. They should have been put them under the jail.
It is a bit unsatisfactory, I agree, but speaks to the unique methods of the criminals I suppose... A fair few of the Sherlock Holmes stories (which I love) also have unsatisfactory endings where the criminals get away, or are supposed lost at sea, etc
What an idiotic story ! But very well read.
You’re better without the beard Simon
I grew it for a role, but not sure how long I'll need it for... I'm grateful that there have been a surprising number of positive comments about it here on YT, but you're certainly not alone in disliking it - my mother agrees with you!
Red Yellow flag TH-cam 😊
Cool reading, except for the Spanish accents.
Omg... 😳🫣 Reminded me of the Lost city of Z and colonel Fawcett and the Peter Fleming book about the expedition looking for him.. . (is that in the public domain? Would make good reading too). 😀
Thanks
Thank you so much for your support
You are more than welcome. Your narrations are such a joy, thank you 😻
❤❤❤