Untitled synopsis (John Gorman found himself in Samarkand, . . .)

Introduction and summary

The untitled synopsis outlines a spy thriller set against the backdrop of political intrigue involving Afghanistan, the British Empire, and Russia. The protagonist, John Gorman, finds himself in Samarkand with a letter that could incriminate Abdullah Khan, a Persian acting under the guise of a European engineering expert in Kabul. Abdullah Khan’s motive is to provoke conflict between the Amir of Afghanistan and the British, hoping to weaken British influence in India and encourage the Amir to seek support from Russia. This scheme is backed by a radical party in Moscow, although not officially.

Gorman acquired the letter through bribery, but his meeting with a dancing girl in a café reveals a deeper network of espionage. The girl, a spy, informs Gorman of her plan to mislead their enemies while he delivers the letter to Herat. After surviving an attack, Gorman travels via train to Merv, then to Kushk, and finally towards the Afghan frontier, encountering various challenges, including a flirtatious encounter in Merv that almost results in the theft of his wallet.

His journey becomes increasingly perilous as he discovers the theft of his passport and learns of a trap set by a radical organization. Escaping his captors, Gorman’s narrative takes a dark turn when he forcibly overpowers a woman who had previously attempted to hold him up.

Reaching Herat, Gorman is captured by a woman in love with Abdullah Khan but is eventually rescued by the same woman from Merv, who now professes her love for him. The synopsis hints at a complex web of alliances, betrayals, and personal dynamics set against the backdrop of geopolitical espionage.

RISQUE STORIES includes both the original REH synopsis as well as the short story with the author listed as “Sam Walser.” The SHE-CATS title was also applied to the synopsis in THE NEW HOWARD READER #4.

See also:

SHE-CATS OF SAMARCAND. Charles Hoffman and Marc A. Cerasini wrote the story SHE-CATS OF SAMARCAND based on that synopsis.

Characters

  • John Gorman: The protagonist, a spy or agent tasked with delivering a critical letter to expose Abdullah Khan’s schemes.
  • Abdullah Khan: A Persian, posing as a European in Kabul, stirring up conflict between the Amir of Afghanistan and the British to weaken the empire’s hold on India.
  • Dancing Girl/Spy: A covert operative who collaborates with Gorman, eventually leading to her saving him and declaring her love.
  • Girl in Merv: Initially flirtatious and seemingly a thief, she plays a crucial role in Gorman’s journey, ultimately revealing her deeper involvement in the espionage plot and her affection for Gorman.
  • Radical Party Members in Moscow: They support Abdullah Khan’s plans from afar, seeking to destabilize British influence in the region.
  • Commandant at Kara-Tappeh: A minor character who informs Gorman of the plot against him.
  • Woman in Love with Abdullah Khan: Antagonist who captures Gorman in Herat, representing another facet of the complex spy network.
  • Man Supposed to Meet Gorman: Another agent involved in the operation, intended to receive the letter from Gorman but captured, indicating the dangers of their espionage activities.

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