When Reuel Briggs, a medical student at Harvard, witnesses the performance of the beautiful singer Dianthe Lusk at a concert, he's infatuated by her talent and beauty. The next morning, Reuel is called to treat the victims of a train accident. Among them is Dianthe, seemingly dead -- but he revives her using a form of mesmerism. Reuel falls in love with her and proposes marriage. Wanting to provide for his fiancée, he undertakes a dangerous but lucrative archaeological expedition to Ethiopia, where he discovers more than treasure. Now his special abilities begin to make sense as he learns the whole truth about his ancestors.

Originally published as a serial in 1902-1903 in The Colored American Magazine. Includes suggested questions for classroom use.