The Refugees

Although Arthur Conan Doyle is best known for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, he was a prolific writer whose other works include science fiction stories, historical novels, plays, romances, poetry, and non-fiction. The Refugees is an adventure tale about life in the Court of Louis XIV and French rule in Canada. The story shifts from France to North America. In 1690 the De Catinat family are Huguenots. Because they are French Protestants, the king has taken their wealth and titles. An American helps them escape from Paris to Canada. Even though they are far from France, they are not safe. A Jesuit priest is on their trail and there are warrants out for their arrest. They must flee Canada by traveling hundreds a miles through forest wilderness while being chased by the priest and having to avoid savage Indians. This adventure novel will keep the reader riveted until the very last page.