The Lost Valley

<p><strong>THE LOST VALLEY</strong></p><p>I came upon the place quite unexpectedly. Centuries of wind and wave had carved a little nook out of the foot of the cliff and fashioned it so cunningly that I did not see it until I was right on top of it. After the warmth of the open beach and the glare of the white road I had recently travelled its shade looked so inviting that I limped in under the overhang of the cliff and dropped joyfully on to the cool patch of sand. It was the first moment of contentment I had known for many weary months and needless to say I set myself out to make the most of it. I was absolutely sick of tramping about. My left boot had burst and by the feel of it there wasn't too much left of my right sole. I had been crawling along the road since daylight-and for many days before for that matter-searching for a job that failed to materialise...</p><p>J. M. Walsh was a prolific British-Australian author known for his mystery and adventure novels throughout the mid-20th century. Specializing in crime fiction espionage thrillers and action-packed stories Walsh penned numerous works including <em>The Man Behind the Curtain</em> and <em>The Lost Valley</em>. His writing often featured resourceful protagonists international intrigue and suspenseful plots making him a popular author in the pulp fiction genre during his time.</p>