The Silver Hatchet

Name: The Silver Hatchet
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

In December 1861, a prominent professor at the University of Buda-Pesth is brutally murdered shortly after receiving a valuable collection of medieval weapons. The police investigation reveals no motive or suspects, leading to public speculation and suspicion, particularly towards a local Jew named Schiffer. Nine days later, Schiffer is found murdered in a similar manner, deepening the mystery. Amidst the chaos, two medical students, Otto von Schlegel and Leopold Strauss, are studying for exams. They discover a silver hatchet, part of the professor's collection, which is later linked to both murders. Schlegel, while holding the hatchet, experiences a sudden, violent urge to attack Strauss, leading to a struggle where he attempts to kill his friend. The police apprehend Schlegel, and during the investigation, a distraught Schlessinger, the sub-curator of the museum, confesses to murdering the professor in a fit of rage, claiming the hatchet is cursed. The inspector, Baumgarten, inadvertently proves Schlessinger's point by attacking his subordinate with the hatchet, suggesting a supernatural influence. A parchment found within the hatchet reveals a curse placed on it, indicating that it brings death to those who wield it. The trial that follows is unprecedented, with the defense arguing that the hatchet's curse caused the actions of both Schlessinger and Schlegel. Ultimately, the jury acquits all involved, citing the extraordinary circumstances and the curse as mitigating factors. The hatchet is destroyed, and the parchment is preserved as a historical artifact. The story concludes with the characters moving on with their lives, while the legacy of the cursed hatchet lingers in the background.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1926 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime · 8,114 words

First lines

On the 3rd of December 1861, Dr. Otto von Hopstein, Regius Professor of Comparative Anatomy of the University of Buda-Pesth, and Curator of the Academical Museum, was foully and brutally murdered within a stone-throw of the entrance to the college quadrangle.

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The Silver Hatchet is listed on Textopian as a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1926 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Date: 1926 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Historical Fiction, Psychological
Length: 8,114 words
Structure: 1 section, 85 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around a brutal murder and the investigation that follows, typical of the mystery genre.
Thriller — The story contains elements of suspense and tension, particularly surrounding the murders and the psychological aspects of the characters.
Crime — The narrative focuses on criminal acts, including murder and attempted murder, and the subsequent legal implications.
Historical Fiction — Set in 19th century Hungary, the story incorporates historical elements and societal attitudes of the time.