A private tutor recounts his experience at Thorpe Place, the estate of Sir John Bollamore, a widower with three children. The tutor, who is also romantically involved with the governess, Miss Witherton, becomes intrigued by Sir John's mysterious behavior and the secrets surrounding him. Sir John, once known as "Devil" Bollamore for his reckless lifestyle, has seemingly reformed after marrying a woman who devoted her life to helping him overcome his vices. The tutor learns about Sir John's past and the superstitions surrounding his secluded study, where he spends much of his time. An incident involving the youngest child nearly drowning leads the tutor to enter Sir John's study, where he discovers a black japanned box and hears whispers of a woman's voice, suggesting a hidden life. The tutor's curiosity grows, especially after overhearing a woman's voice from the turret room, which Miss Witherton reveals she has heard before. As the tutor grapples with his suspicions about Sir John's double life, he witnesses a violent outburst from Sir John directed at a charwoman who inadvertently touches the box. This incident deepens the tutor's intrigue and loathing for Sir John, whom he now views as a hypocrite. The story takes a turn when the turret room becomes uninhabitable, and the box is moved to the library. The tutor overhears the mysterious woman's voice again, leading him to believe that Sir John is still involved in dubious activities. However, a chance encounter reveals the truth: while the tutor is napping in the library, he awakens to find Sir John using a phonograph, playing a recording of his deceased wife's voice. She had recorded messages to help him resist the temptations of his past. Sir John explains that his wife, fearing he would revert to his old ways after her death, used the phonograph to leave him messages of encouragement and love. This revelation transforms the tutor's perception of Sir John, who is not the hypocrite he believed but a man struggling with his demons, upheld by the love of a woman who sacrificed everything for him. The tutor vows to keep Sir John's secret, understanding the depth of his struggle and the power of love that transcends even death.
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1892 · Genre: Mystery, Drama, Literary Fiction