Challenge for Three

 Challenge for Three (1938) by David Garth

[from the back of the book] For twenty years Fontaine Shaw, granddaughter of Nathaniel "Two-Gun" Shaw, railroad and mining tycoon, had lived her life with reckless abandon. But her startling exploits began to catch up with her when she bailed a burlesque dancer out of Night Court and deposited her on the doorstep of Jock Pemberton, serious young professor of American History at the Brent School. The events that followed were unexpected and far-reaching in their results. For Fontaine, Jock, and Connie (the dancer) suddenly found themselves obliged to join forces in order to meet the almost impossible challenge of Nathaniel Shaw's last will and testament.

You see at the end of his life ol' Two-Gun missed the rough and tumble world of his early years--when he had to work for his money and he had to take on challenges and obstacles to get where he was. He's watched his beloved granddaughter get into scrapes--like smuggling rare jade objects past the customs officials just for the pure thrill of it--but he doesn't think she sees the real value of money or what her life could really be. So, his will stipulates that for a period of ten years this young beauty, used to having everything that money can buy, is given an allowance of just $200 a month. But--if she can earn her own way, the estate will match whatever she earns. At first she's mad. Then she's a bit depressed. And then...she realizes she might make a good thing out her penchant for smuggling things under the noses of the customs officials. Except...she gets herself entangled with a couple of nasty fellows and needs the help of Jock and Connie to get her out. Will the three of them be able to outwit the bad guys? And...almost more importantly (from the way the story line goes) which gutsy gal will win the heart of Jock--and will he get the girl he really wants? 

This was a very entertaining book that turned out to be more adventure than mystery. There's definitely no murder although there are deaths play a vital role in the plot. Fontaine Shaw is a great character as is her grandfather--though we see too little of him. I will say that Fontaine lacks of bit of insight into the intentions of other women. Surely she can see...well, I won't spoil it for you. Jock plays true to form as the mild-mannered professor who can turn quite strong and courageous when challenged and he shows the true "Two Gun" spirit as he holds up his part of the challenge. Connie is a street smart woman who knows what she wants, but also has a heart of gold when she realizes that she may not get what she wants. And, of course, it's always good to see the bad guys get their just desserts and the good guys ride off into the sunset. ★★★ and 3/4.

First line: The usual gay welter that followed the docking of a great transatlantic liner was rampant on the long steel pier--clusters of reunions, porters pirouetting their baggage trucks among the swirls of humanity, white-jacketed stewards streaming down the gangway from the overhanging ship's side with hand luggage, inscrutable customs inspectors with declaration forms in their hands waiting for trunks to be unlocked, suitcases to be unstrapped.

Last line: "You're Two-Gun's beloved pal--'Wyoming Bill' Ferguson who captured ten Indians all by himself."

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Deaths = 3 (two accident; one natural)