The new title in the critically acclaimed series that explores Australia's early Colonial secret history In 1798 orphaned Barney Bean now has a flourishing farm in the New South Wales colony and everything he ever dreamed of ... except his childhood friend Elsie. But when Elsie falls ill and Barney rushes to be by her side, he finally learns the deadly secret she has been hiding. Who is this strange and beautiful girl who will not speak? And could France ever attack the isolated colony? Written by award-winning author Jackie French and superbly illustrated by Mark Wilson, this fourth book in The Secret Histories series explores extraordinary and untold stories from Australia's past, including the female French botanist who could only work disguised as a man, French and English spies, and wars between two empires that threatened even a far-off colony.