The Leak by Jacques Futrelle (1917)

Name: The Leak
Author: Jacques Futrelle

The story revolves around a mysterious leak of information that threatens to expose a high-profile scandal. The protagonist, a journalist, must navigate a complex web of intrigue and deception to uncover the source of the leak and prevent a catastrophic outcome. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the leak is not just a simple mistake, but rather a deliberate attempt to manipulate public opinion and sway the course of events. The protagonist must use their skills and resources to track down the culprit and bring them to justice before it's too late. Throughout the story, themes of power, corruption, and the role of the media in shaping public discourse are explored. The narrative is fast-paced and suspenseful, with a twist at the end that challenges the reader's assumptions about the nature of truth and deception.

By Jacques Futrelle · First published 1917 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime · 6,086 words

First lines

"Really great criminals are never found out, for the simple reason that the greatest crimes -- their crimes -- are never discovered," remarked Professor Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen positively. "There is genius in the perpetration of crime, Mr. Grayson, just as there must be in its detection, unless it is the shallow work of a bungler. In this latter case there have been instances where even the police have uncovered the truth. But the expert criminal, the man of genius -- the professional, I may say -- regards as perfect only that crime which does not and cannot be made to appear a crime at all; therefore one that can never under any circumstances involve him, or anyone else."

What this Textopian page supports

The Leak is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jacques Futrelle, dated 1917 CE.

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

Work type: Short story
Author: Jacques Futrelle
Date: 1917 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Psychological Fiction
Length: 6,086 words
Structure: 1 section, 155 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

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Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The story revolves around a mysterious leak of confidential information from a financier's office, which is investigated by a detective character known as The Thinking Machine.
Detective Fiction — The narrative follows a detective, Professor Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen, as he uses his logical reasoning to solve the case of the leak, a hallmark of detective fiction.
Crime — The plot involves criminal activities such as theft and corporate espionage, focusing on the intellectual challenge of committing and solving crimes.
Thriller — The story contains elements of suspense and tension, particularly in the interactions between the financier and The Thinking Machine, as well as the investigation process.