Moonfleet

"Moonfleet" is a tale about smuggling, first published in 1898. The main protagonist John Trenchard is an orphan who lives with his aunt, Miss Arnold in the village of Moonfleet. The local legend tells of the notorious Colonel John "Blackbeard" Mohune who is buried in the family crypt under the church. He is reputed to have stolen a diamond from King Charles I and hidden it. It is believed, that his ghost wanders at night looking for it. Being entranced by the local legend, John Trenchard begins a dangerous adventure which will include a chase along a precarious cliff path and deciphering a hidden code in an ancient castle.
The book was extremely popular until the 1970s and remains so nowadays, so you will undoubtedly derive pleasure, reading it!