A Bid for Fortune Dr. Nikola's Vendetta

Guy Boothby's A Bid for Fortune or Dr Nikola's Vendetta (1895), a crime novel set in Sydney and London, involves a merchant, Richard Hatteras, and Dr. Nikola, a criminal genius cum magician. Hatteras goes to Australia to rescue Phyllis Wetherell from ruffians in one of the Sydney parks. They fall in love, but the girl's father will not give his consent. Meanwhile, Dr. Nikola is planning a vile crime in London with three evil associates.