The Lost Parchment by Fergus Hume

Name: The Lost Parchment
Author: Fergus Hume

The story revolves around a mysterious parchment that has been stolen from the British Museum. The thief is revealed to be a young woman named Lucy, who is being blackmailed by a mysterious figure known only as "The Spider." As the protagonist, a clever and resourceful detective, delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a complex web of deceit and conspiracy that leads him from the streets of London to the countryside. Along the way, he encounters a cast of suspicious characters, including Lucy's brother, a wealthy collector, and a rival detective. As the mystery unfolds, the detective must use his skills and cunning to uncover the truth behind the stolen parchment and outwit "The Spider" before it's too late.

By Fergus Hume · First published 1897 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance · 21 chapters · 104,629 words

First lines

"So this is your kingdom, Hendle? " said the visitor, looking round the garden which glowed with rainbow tints in the hot July sunshine; "and a very jolly kingdom it is. When did you enter into it?"

"When I was fifteen, twelve years ago," replied the Squire, smiling. "Don't you remember how I wrote and told you of the death of my father? You had just left school for the 'Varsity. Those were capital days at Rugby, weren't they, Carrington?"

What this Textopian page supports

The Lost Parchment is listed on Textopian as a novel by Fergus Hume, dated 1897 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Fergus Hume
Date: 1897 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance, Mystery, Social Commentary
Length: 104,629 words
Structure: 21 chapters, 2,346 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Lost Parchment by Fergus Hume
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Lost Parchment?
How does this novel by Fergus Hume fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book explores complex characters and their relationships, focusing on themes of friendship, social status, and personal ambition.
Drama — The narrative involves interpersonal conflicts and emotional struggles among the characters, highlighting their personal dilemmas.
Romance — The plot includes romantic elements, particularly the relationship between Hendle and Dorinda, which is central to the story.
Mystery — Hints of intrigue and the potential for hidden secrets are present, particularly regarding the characters' backgrounds and motivations.