Book excerpt: "An African Millionaire" with the aid of Grant Allen is a set of intriguing short testimonies providing the foxy and enigmatic individual Colonel Clay. The stories comply with the exploits of Colonel Clay, a grasp of cover and a professional con artist who employs his intelligence and chameleon-like abilities to swindle numerous rich individuals and establishments throughout Europe. The narrative unveils a sequence of elaborate schemes orchestrated by Colonel Clay, as he ingeniously manipulates conditions to outwit his objectives. His capacity to assume one of a kind identities and personas adds layers of thriller and intrigue to each story. Set towards the backdrop of the overdue 19th century, these tales provide a charming blend of thriller, adventure, and psychological suspense. Grant Allen’s writing showcases a clever interaction of wit and deception, drawing readers into the problematic world of self-belief hints and problematic cons. Each story in the collection presents a completely unique assignment for the unsuspecting victims and a lovely unraveling of Colonel Clay's resourceful manipulations, leaving readers each captivated and entertained by way of the exploits of this charismatic anti-hero.