The Four Just Men (Just Men #1) (1908) by Edgar Wallace. The “Heroes” of the Four Just Men Stories are assassins, murderers and determined to let nothing stop them in their quest for justice. They work outside the law to stop evil in it’s many forms from spreading or going unpunished. They know no matter what happens there will be no acclaim for them, that the forces of law enforcement around the globe are aligned against them, and if caught only death is in their future.
But their holy grail is justice despite the odds, no matter the peril to themselves.
In this, the first of the six books written within two decades of the early 20th century, Mr. Wallace introduces his most famous creations. The title is a bit deceptive. As the story opens we discover there are only three Just Men, the fourth having died in a hail of bullets. But the authorities learned nothing from the body, not his identity nor a clue to the others.
The book begins in 1908 London. The three have persuaded a much needed but unwilling partner to join their plan. They are trying to stop a bill from passing through Parliament, an “Aliens Extradition Bill” that would evict many people from Great Britain, sending them back to their country of origin and, in many cases, deadly peril as they are good people who have been branded enemies of corrupt states.
Sir Philip Ramon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is the ramrod behind the bill. He is the type of man who, once determining a course of action, will not be deterred, death threats be damned. Now Scotland Yard, in the form of Detective Superintendent Falmouth, is arrayed against the Four. Despite all the past triumphs of the Four, Falmouth is certain he can keep the Foreign Secretary safe from all harm.
The Four do not wish to kill Sir Philip, nor had they wished to kill others in the past. The Four only wished to have those who became their targets to see the error of their ways and reform. In this case, they merely wish to stop the Bill from going forward. They give several warnings and a few demonstrations of their ability to go anywhere, no matter how guarded,and plant (non)lethal devices even within the chambers of the House of Lords and the Commons.
But the great man will not be driven off his course no matter how rough the going may get for himself or the members of Parliament.
As the approach of the session to act on the bill arrives, security draws tighter about Sir Philip. It seems all of London and the surrounding environs draw in upon the areas of Downing St. All want to see if The Four can carry out their threat of if the Minister will fold to their demands. The climax is a just reward for the reader.
The Four Just Men stories were written more than 100 years ago. Attitudes were different and Wallace wrote to the contemporary audience of the time. These six book are a snap-shot of the times. The modern reader should bear this in mind and perhaps mull over the strides we have made in the use of our language and our opinions.
No matter, these stories are fine tales of action and adventure that even today’s reader can appreciate. And after reading the first in the series I can understand his reading audience clamoring for more of The Four. ( )