The Hollow Needle by Maurice LeBlanc

Name: The Hollow Needle
Author: Maurice LeBlanc

The narrative follows the events surrounding a mysterious crime at a country château, where a young girl, Raymonde, and her cousin Suzanne witness a burglary that leads to a murder. The story unfolds with the arrival of the examining magistrate and the police, who investigate the crime scene, discovering the body of Jean Daval, the count's secretary, and the count himself, who has been attacked but survives. As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that the crime is not merely a robbery but is tied to a larger mystery involving the legendary thief Arsène Lupin. The girls' accounts of seeing two men escape with heavy loads lead to a search for the criminals, but they elude capture. The narrative introduces Isidore Beautrelet, a young detective who becomes embroiled in the case, using his intellect to piece together clues and deduce the truth behind the events. Beautrelet's investigation reveals that the crime is linked to a historical secret known as the "Hollow Needle," a treasure associated with French royalty. As he delves deeper, he uncovers connections between the current events and historical figures, including references to the Iron Mask and the secrets of the French crown. The tension escalates as Beautrelet confronts Lupin, who has been hiding in the château, and the two engage in a battle of wits. Beautrelet's clever deductions lead him to discover the truth about the missing treasures and the fate of the kidnapped individuals, including his father and Mlle. de Saint-Véran. Ultimately, the story culminates in a dramatic confrontation where Beautrelet must navigate the dangers posed by Lupin and his gang while striving to rescue the captives. The themes of intelligence versus cunning, the nature of heroism, and the complexities of human relationships are explored throughout the narrative, culminating in a resolution that highlights the enduring legacy of Lupin and the impact of his actions on those around him. The work concludes with Beautrelet's triumph over Lupin, revealing the truth behind the Hollow Needle and restoring order to the lives affected by the crime, while also leaving open the possibility of future encounters between the two adversaries.

By Maurice LeBlanc · First published 1909 · Genre: Mystery, Adventure, Detective Fiction · 10 chapters · 80,151 words

First lines

Raymonde listened. The noise was repeated twice over, clearly enough to be distinguished from the medley of vague sounds that formed the great silence of the night and yet too faintly to enable her to tell whether it was near or far, within the walls of the big country-house, or outside, among the murky recesses of the park.

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The Hollow Needle is listed on Textopian as a novel by Maurice LeBlanc, dated 1909 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Maurice LeBlanc
Date: 1909 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Adventure, Detective Fiction, Thriller, Historical Fiction
Length: 80,151 words
Structure: 10 chapters, 2,254 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around solving a crime and uncovering secrets, typical of the mystery genre.
Adventure — The narrative includes elements of exploration and excitement, characteristic of adventure stories.
Detective Fiction — Features a detective protagonist, typical of detective fiction, focusing on investigation and deduction.
Thriller — Contains suspenseful elements and tension that engage the reader, aligning with thriller conventions.