The Secret Toll

The Secret Toll is a crime fiction novel by Paul Thorne, likely written in the early 20th century. It follows Robert Forrester, a young civil engineer and World War I veteran, who becomes the target of a criminal gang known as the 'Friends of the Poor' in Chicago. As Forrester refuses to comply with their extortion demands, he finds himself in a perilous battle against the gang, which has a history of violence against its victims. The novel explores themes of bravery, justice, and the struggle against corruption in a post-war society.