26 FEBRUARY 1910, Page 25

The Golden Centipede. By Louise Gerard. (Methuen and Co. 6s.)—This

is a novel of the West African coast. Though it contains certain ineptitudes, it is amusing reading, and tho adven- tures are decidedly exciting. The core of the plot is the likeness between a twin brother and sister, which enables the sister to assume masculine clothes and establish an alibi for her brother whilst he is doing all the things he ought not to do in West Africa. Both Claude and Chrysanthe Wentworth are indeed extremely ill conducted young people, but Chrysanthe's mis- conduct is a little inconsistent with her clinging femininity when she appears in her proper clothes. Except when pretending to be Claude, she behaves as if she were about fifteen years old, and appeals to the "strong, silent man" who is the hero of the romance by her fragility and weakness. The book is a good story of adventure, but must not be read as an analysis of character.