That Little Square Box

Name: That Little Square Box
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A transatlantic voyage aboard the Spartan begins with a nervous narrator who feels an ominous presence. As the ship departs Boston, he overhears a conversation between two suspicious passengers, Flannigan and Muller, discussing a mysterious box that they have brought on board. The narrator's anxiety escalates as he deduces that the box may contain a dangerous explosive device intended to destroy the ship and its passengers. Despite his fears, the narrator hesitates to inform the captain, fearing he might be mistaken. Instead, he decides to keep a close watch on the two men. As the evening progresses, he becomes increasingly convinced of their sinister intentions, especially after overhearing their plans to detonate the device at ten o'clock that night. In a moment of panic, the narrator confronts Flannigan and Muller just as they are about to activate the device. He pleads with them to reconsider their actions, but they dismiss him. In a struggle, the narrator is overpowered, and Muller prepares to pull the trigger. However, when the trigger is pulled, instead of an explosion, two carrier pigeons are released from the box, revealing that the entire situation was a setup for a pigeon-flying contest. The story concludes with a humorous twist, as the narrator reflects on the absurdity of the events and the misunderstanding that led him to believe he was thwarting a terrorist plot. The pigeons' flight is framed as a sporting event, highlighting the contrast between the narrator's fears and the reality of the situation.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1923 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Adventure · 10,354 words

First lines

"All aboard? " said the captain.

"All aboard, sir! " said the mate.

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That Little Square Box is listed on Textopian as a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1923 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Date: 1923 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Adventure, Drama, Literary Fiction
Length: 10,354 words
Structure: 1 section, 181 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around a suspenseful situation involving a potential conspiracy and the protagonist's efforts to uncover the truth.
Thriller — The narrative builds tension and excitement as the protagonist fears for the safety of the ship and its passengers.
Adventure — The setting on a transatlantic voyage provides a backdrop for exploration and unexpected events.
Drama — The story explores themes of fear, moral courage, and the psychological struggles of the protagonist.