The Sleuths by O. Henry (1908)
A group of amateur detectives gather to solve a murder mystery that has taken place at a country estate. They use their collective skills and knowledge to piece together the events surrounding the crime. The story explores themes of class, social status, and the limitations of human perception.
By O. Henry · First published 1908 · Genre: Mystery, Humor, Fiction · 2,744 words
First lines
In The Big City a man will disappear with the suddenness and completeness of the flame of a candle that is blown out. All the agencies of inquisition -- the hounds of the trail, the sleuths of the city's labyrinths, the closet detectives of theory and induction -- will be invoked to the search. Most often the man's face will be seen no more. Sometimes he will reappear in Sheboygan or in the wilds of Terre Haute, calling himself one of the synonyms of "Smith," and without memory of events up to a certain time, including his grocer's bill. Sometimes it will be found, after dragging the rivers, and polling the restaurants to see if he may be waiting for a well-done sirloin, that he has moved next door.
What this Textopian page supports
The Sleuths is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: O. Henry
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Humor, Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary
- Length: 2,744 words
- Structure: 1 section, 66 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Sleuths by O. Henry
- 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 Sleuths?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Christmas Pi by O. Henry
- The Theory And The Hound by O. Henry
- The Stolen White Elephant by Mark Twain
- The Discounters Of Money by O. Henry
- About Barbers by Mark Twain
- Whiskey Did It by O. Henry
Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around the investigation of a missing person, employing detective work and clues.
- Humor — The writing style incorporates wit and irony, particularly in the interactions between characters and the absurdity of the detective methods.
- Fiction — The narrative is a work of fiction, exploring human experiences and societal observations.
- Drama — The themes of disappearance and the emotional stakes involved create a dramatic tension throughout the story.
Tags
Mystery · Short Stories · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Crime Fiction · Detective Story · Plot Twist · Irony · Wit · Sarcasm · Literary Fiction