The Story of a Spy
A young man becomes embroiled in espionage and deception after being mistaken for a spy by a group of people who believe him to be working against their interests. He must navigate this complex situation without revealing his true identity or intentions, all while trying to uncover the truth about those who are accusing him.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1884 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, War · 4,366 words
First lines
When a nation goes to war with another, it is often necessary for the armies on each side to leave behind some of the high and noble principles which may have governed them at home. Of course, war is bloody and cruel, and it almost always happens that the officers and soldiers are obliged to descend also to meanness and duplicity in order to succeed in their campaigns.
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of a Spy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1884 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Frank R. Stockton
- Date: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, War, Thriller, Biographical
- Length: 4,366 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Story of a Spy by Frank R. Stockton
- 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 Story of a Spy?
- How does this short story by Frank R. Stockton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Secret Service by William Le Queux
- Walker Of The Secret Service by Melville Davisson Post
- Sant Of The Secret Service by William Le Queux
- Spy Rock by Henry Van Dyke
- In The Fog by Richard Harding Davis
- The Last Secrets by John Buchan
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set during the American Revolution and incorporates historical figures and events, blending fact with fiction.
- Adventure — The story involves espionage, daring missions, and the protagonist's risky endeavors behind enemy lines.
- War — The plot revolves around military strategies, battles, and the impact of war on individuals and nations.
- Thriller — The tension and suspense of espionage activities and the protagonist's narrow escapes contribute to a thrilling atmosphere.
Tags
Adventure · Espionage · Mystery · Thriller · Novel · Fiction · Classic · American Literature · 19th Century · Short Story Collection · Spy Fiction · Detective Fiction