"The Stolen Statesman: Being the Story of a Hushed Up Mystery" by William Le Queux is a mystery novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Reginald Monkton, a high-profile UK politician dealing with personal grief and professional challenges, particularly focusing on the recent anniversary of his wife's death. As the plot unfolds, his daughter's impending romance and strange disappearances lead to a web of deception and intrigue, hinting at a larger conspiracy. The opening of the novel introduces Reginald Monkton as he reflects on his public life while grappling with the loss of his wife. Despite his political stature, he feels loneliness and nostalgia for his past. While dining with his daughter Sheila and her friend Austin Wingate at the Carlton Hotel, events take a dark turn when a mysterious stranger, later revealed to be someone resembling Monkton, is found unconscious and carries a cryptic connection to Monkton's life. This intrigue sets the stage for a tense narrative filled with political machinations, personal loss, and the search for truth against a backdrop of suspense. (This is an automatically generated summary.)