The Sealed Message by Fergus Hume

Name: The Sealed Message
Author: Fergus Hume

The story revolves around a mysterious message that is stolen from a wealthy businessman's office. The thief leaves behind a torn piece of fabric caught in the window latch, which becomes a crucial clue in unraveling the mystery. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that several individuals had motives to steal the message, including the businessman's nephew, his secretary, and a rival businessman. Through a series of twists and turns, the protagonist uncovers a web of deceit and conspiracy, ultimately leading to the revelation of the thief's identity and their motive for stealing the sealed message.

By Fergus Hume · First published 1894 · Genre: Mystery, Adventure, Romance · 26 chapters · 103,877 words

First lines

It was a sultry July afternoon, and in the azure arch of the firmament flamed an unclouded sun. The corn was ripening to a rich yellow in some meadows, and the newly mown hay in others was being piled on lumbering wains by perspiring laborers. The red earth of the sunken lanes was caked, and their blossoming hedges were burnt up by the merciless heat. Under spreading foliage, or knee-deep in rapidly drying pools, stood weary cattle, switching lazy tails to brush away the teasing flies. Honey-bees, ostentatiously industrious, buzzed noisily from flower to flower, and the sleepy birds twittered faintly midst the grateful shade of leaves. The land was parched for want of rain, and the languid hours dragged on slowly to the wished-for evening. On some such day, long ago, must Elijah have sent his servant up the mount to watch for the growing of the small black cloud.

What this Textopian page supports

The Sealed Message is listed on Textopian as a novel by Fergus Hume, dated 1894 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: 1894 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Adventure, Romance, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
Length: 103,877 words
Structure: 26 chapters, 2,201 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Sealed Message 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 Sealed Message?
How does this novel by Fergus Hume fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around the discovery of a sealed cylinder containing a phonograph record, which suggests a hidden message or secret that needs to be uncovered.
Adventure — The characters embark on a journey to unravel the mystery of the cylinder, leading to potential dangers and discoveries.
Romance — The interactions between the characters include romantic tensions and discussions about love, particularly concerning the character Charity.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is descriptive and character-driven, focusing on the inner thoughts and relationships of the protagonists.