A serialized adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The tale centers on the gentleman-adventurer Lord Lister (alias John Raffles), who finds a medieval Latin manuscript describing fabulous hidden treasures and rumored prehistoric beasts near Lake Niassa, and decides to investigate by air. With his loyal secretary Charly Brand and indomitable chauffeur Henderson, he aims to penetrate an unmapped African interior where legend and danger converge. The opening of the story follows Raffles, posing as Lord Aberdeen, through London’s Lombard Street of antiquarian bookshops, where he buys a genuine Latin manuscript that recounts a Roman-era journey to a secret trove beyond Lake Niassa. Back home he reveals his true identity, debates the manuscript’s plausibility with Charly, and lays out a bold plan: fly to East-Central Africa in his ultra-fast “Devil of the Air,” then proceed on foot if needed. After brisk preparations, route plotting, and a glimpse of Raffles’s hidden laboratory, the trio depart at night, cross France and the Mediterranean, skim North Africa, and pause briefly among friendly villagers before pushing on. They land near Maranda, meet Matabele led by Iwanda (who speaks some German), offer gifts, and ask about the mysterious lands east of the mountains. The locals react with dread, prostrating themselves and pleading with the strangers never to ask about that place, leaving the expedition poised on the edge of a forbidden secret.
