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A Chain of Evidence Summary
A Chain of Evidence by Carolyn Wells is a classic mystery novel published in 1912. The story follows lawyer Otis Landon as he becomes entangled in the investigation of his neighbor Robert Pembroke's murder, unraveling a complex web of clues and suspects in early 20th-century New York City.
A Chain of Evidence Excerpt
Short Summary: In this classic mystery, lawyer Otis Landon becomes involved in the investigation of his neighbor's murder, uncovering a series of clues that form a chain of evidence leading to the unexpected culprit.
"I do hate changes, but when my sister Laura, who keeps house for me, determined to move further uptown, I really had no choice in the matter but to acquiesce. I am a bachelor of long standing, and it's my opinion that the way to manage women is simply to humor their whims, and since Laura's husband died I've been rather more indulgent to her than before. Therefore, when she decided we must move, I made no serious objection, and we came to the Hammersleigh. The Hammersleigh is one of New York's new apartment houses. It is on a corner, and though not a skyscraper, it is tall enough to be impressive, and has an air of luxury and exclusiveness. Laura and I have a bachelor apartment; that is, it is bachelor in name, but of course Laura is its mistress and I am its master. We have a drawing-room, dining-room, library, and several bedrooms. Our quarters are on the third floor, and are most comfortable and pleasant. We have always been fairly well-to-do, and since Laura's widowhood our combined incomes make a satisfactory total. We have few relatives and few family interests, so we are everything to each other, and our lives are congenial and happy. We had been in our new home but a few days when I first saw the girl across the hall. I was coming up in the elevator one afternoon, and as I left it and turned toward my own door, I saw her standing in the hall, fitting her key into her lock. She was a young woman, and her beauty and poise were so noticeable that I involuntarily paused to look at her. She paid no attention to me, but opened her door and entered her apartment with the air of one unconscious of observation. But in that moment I had seen her face, and I am sure no man could see that face and ever forget it. I went into my own rooms, and found Laura in the library. 'I've seen the girl across the hall,' I said. 'Oh, have you?' she replied indifferently. 'What is she like?' 'Beautiful! Wonderful! A radiant vision!' 'Oh, nonsense, Otis! I don't believe she's as pretty as that girl we saw at the theatre last night.' 'Prettier, Laura; much prettier, but of the same type. The same dark, dreamy eyes; the same black hair, parted in the middle and drawn low over her ears; the same ivory-white skin; the same red, curved lips. But our neighbor is even more beautiful and has a certain dignity, almost majesty, that the girl of the play lacked.' 'You seem interested, Otis.' 'I am interested. I never saw such a face and figure. Who can she be?' 'I don't know. Mrs. Reeves told me there were some new people across the hall, but she didn't know who they were.' 'I shall find out,' I declared. 'I must know that girl.' 'Don't be foolish, Otis. She's probably some ordinary person, who happens to be uncommonly good-looking.' 'No, she's not ordinary. She can't be. That face is fairly aristocratic in its pride and haughtiness.'"
