A Strange Disappearance · Chapters

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Chapter companions for A Strange Disappearance by Anna Katharine Green.

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Chapter 1
I: A Novel Case
The detective Q recounts a new case to his colleagues, involving the mysterious disappearance of a sewing girl named Emily from the home of Mr. Blake on Second Avenue. The housekeeper, Mrs. Daniels, arrives at the police station in great agitation, insisting the girl was taken against her will during the night. She describes hearing whispering from Emily's room, finding signs of struggle, and a ladder left by a construction extension. Q agrees to investigate discreetly, and they enter the Blake mansion through the back door to avoid Mr. Blake's notice.
Chapter 2
A Few Points
Mr. Gryce and a detective investigate the disappearance of Emily, a sewing girl, from the Blake residence. Mrs. Daniels leads them to the third-story back room, where they find signs of a struggle and evidence that the girl left through the window. Mr. Blake, the master of the house, is dismissive but reluctantly agrees to inspect the room after Mrs. Daniels shows hesitation and alarm.
Chapter 3
The Contents of a Bureau Drawer
Mr. Gryce and the narrator investigate Emily's room, discovering a hidden bureau drawer containing a blue silk dress, lace collar, gold breastpin, and withered roses. Mrs. Daniels fiercely protects the drawer from Mr. Blake, then later reveals her deep emotional investment in finding Emily, offering her savings and hinting at unknown benefactors. Mr. Gryce probes for clues, noting Mrs. Daniels' evasiveness about Emily's past and her insistence that Emily was forced to leave. The detective also secretly examines Mr. Blake's private room, finding a portrait of a woman and a rug oddly placed, sparking his curiosity.
Chapter 4
IV: Thompson's Story
Mr. Gryce and the narrator investigate the disappearance of the sewing-girl from Mr. Blake's house. Mr. Blake proves unhelpful, claiming he knows nothing about the girl. The narrator learns from a patrolman that Thompson saw a woman flee from Mr. Blake's gate after seeing the master's face through the bars. The narrator gathers background on Mr. Blake's reclusive habits and his past connection to his cousin Evelyn Blake, now the Countess De Mirac.
Chapter 5
V: A New York Belle
The detective, frustrated by the lack of progress in the missing girl case, learns from Fanny about Mrs. Daniels' strange behavior. He decides to follow Mr. Blake to the Charity Ball, where he observes a tense reunion between Mr. Blake and the Countess De Mirac (formerly Evelyn Blake). Their conversation reveals a past romance and mutual recriminations, ending with Mr. Blake declaring their relationship has no future.

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I: A Novel Case

A Few Points

The Contents of a Bureau Drawer

IV: Thompson's Story

V: A New York Belle