1 FEBRUARY 1908, Page 24

The Speculator. By the Author of "The Soul Market." (T.

Werner Laurie. 6s.)—We find it hard to take much interest in a book in which the heroine, in order to make money for her absent husband, actually assumes male attire and goes upon the Stock Exchange. In the course of her efforts in finance Helen Marsh, posing as Otto Martini, has many strange adventures, some of which, it must be confessed, are obviously dragged in to make exciting reading. The book is distinctly melodramatic, and none of the diameters act like real people. Readers who are not exacting in this regard, and who like plenty of thrilling adventures, may, however, find it worth reading.