"The Spider" is a crime mystery novel authored by Fergus Hume. Two young men, who had both attended Eton College meet up at a social club for dinner. Maunders tells his dinner guest Vernon that he is aware of Vernon's secret role as a private detective and threatens to expose him to Lady Corsoon, the mother of Lucy Corsoon, whom he desires to court. Maunders tells Vernon that he will instead court Lucy unless Vernon makes him his partner. But the ill-willed threat soon leads to an unfortunate situation that ends in a murder. And now Vernon is fighting to save his reputation...