# A Strange Disappearance — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for A Strange Disappearance by Anna Katharine Green.

- [I: A Novel Case](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/i-a-novel-case.md): The detective Q recounts a new case to his colleagues, involving the mysterious disappearance of a sewing girl named Emily from the home of Mr. Blake on Second Avenue. The housekeeper, Mrs. Daniels, arrives at the police
- [A Few Points](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/ii-a-few-points.md): Mr. Gryce and a detective investigate the disappearance of Emily, a sewing girl, from the Blake residence. Mrs. Daniels leads them to the third-story back room, where they find signs of a struggle and evidence that the g
- [The Contents of a Bureau Drawer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/iii-the-contents-of-a-bureau-drawer.md): Mr. Gryce and the narrator investigate Emily's room, discovering a hidden bureau drawer containing a blue silk dress, lace collar, gold breastpin, and withered roses. Mrs. Daniels fiercely protects the drawer from Mr. Bl
- [IV: Thompson's Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/iv-thompson-s-story.md): Mr. Gryce and the narrator investigate the disappearance of the sewing-girl from Mr. Blake's house. Mr. Blake proves unhelpful, claiming he knows nothing about the girl. The narrator learns from a patrolman that Thompson
- [V: A New York Belle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/v-a-new-york-belle.md): The detective, frustrated by the lack of progress in the missing girl case, learns from Fanny about Mrs. Daniels' strange behavior. He decides to follow Mr. Blake to the Charity Ball, where he observes a tense reunion be
- [VI: A Bit of Calico](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/vi-a-bit-of-calico.md): The narrator takes up residence in a lodging-house opposite Mr. Blake's corner to observe his increasingly restless behavior. Mr. Blake spends his days walking the streets, shifting from fashionable thoroughfares to the 
- [VII: The House at the Granby Cross Roads](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/vii-the-house-at-the-granby-cross-roads.md): The narrator follows Mr. Blake on a mysterious journey to a remote Vermont village. After a long and secretive trip involving a stagecoach and a horse ride, Mr. Blake arrives at a deserted inn at the Granby Cross Roads. 
- [A Word Overheard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/viii-a-word-overheard.md): The narrator visits the Countess De Mirac under the pretense of selling an antique placque, observing her changed demeanor and reading part of a letter she was writing. Later, Fanny recounts overhearing a tense encounter
- [IX: A Few Golden Hairs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/ix-a-few-golden-hairs.md): Mr. Gryce and the narrator investigate a body found in the East River, which matches the description of a missing girl but has golden hair instead of black, leading them to question Fanny's earlier testimony. The discove
- [X: The Secret of Mr. Blake's Studio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/x-the-secret-of-mr-blake-s-studio.md): Mr. Gryce and his assistant wait for Mr. Blake after a dinner party, then confront him about the missing seamstress. Gryce details the evidence: the girl's comfortable room, the torn curtains, blood on the roof, a pearl-
- [XI: Luttra](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xi-luttra.md): Mr. Blake reveals to Mr. Gryce and his companion that the woman in the portrait is his lawful wife, though never acknowledged. He recounts his past: his father's strict expectations, his love for his cousin Evelyn, and a
- [XII: A Woman’s Love](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xii-a-woman-s-love.md): Mr. Blake recounts his marriage to Luttra, a humble waif he chose to satisfy his father's demand for a wife who would not rival Evelyn Blake. He describes their hasty wedding in Troy, his initial shock at her beauty, and
- [XIII: A Man’s Heart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xiii-a-man-s-heart.md): Mr. Blake recounts the story of his secret marriage to Luttra, his father's shock and death, his growing obsession with Luttra's image, and his desperate search for her after she disappeared. He describes painting her po
- [XIV: Mrs. Daniels](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xiv-mrs-daniels.md): Mrs. Daniels reveals that the girl she harbored was Mr. Blake's wife, who disguised herself with a black wig and swore her to secrecy. She confesses she believed the girl was dead after seeing a body at the Morgue, but M
- [A Confab](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xv-a-confab.md): Mr. Gryce and the narrator debate the likely hiding place of the Schoenmakers and the abducted Mrs. Blake, concluding that the gang is probably lying low near Mr. Blake's house in preparation for a blackmail scheme, whil
- [XVI: The Mark of the Red Cross](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xvi-the-mark-of-the-red-cross.md): Mr. Gryce recounts his detective work tracking the Schoenmakers, discovering a red chalk cross on a door that leads him to realize the fugitives are living in the same boarding house as he is. He devises a strategy to ca
- [The Capture](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xvii-the-capture.md): The detective, having received a cryptic note from Mr. Gryce, orchestrates a plan to capture the Schoenmakers. He tricks the youngest Schoenmaker into leaving, then disguises himself as Mrs. Blake to lure the father into
- [Love and Duty](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xviii-love-and-duty.md): Mr. Blake confronts his wife Luttra's father and brother after their arrest, vowing to keep their connection secret. Luttra, however, refuses to return to him as his wife, arguing that her family's criminal past would br
- [Explanations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xix-explanations.md): Mr. Blake, overwhelmed with emotion, sends a note to Mrs. Daniels. Luttra bids a painful farewell to her father, who is taken away by detectives. She then explains to Mr. Blake, Mrs. Daniels, and the Countess De Mirac ho
- [XX: The Bond That Unites](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xx-the-bond-that-unites.md): Mr. Blake reveals his father's will, which names Luttra as the heir to the Blake fortune. Luttra tears up the will, insisting that love alone should unite them. At their wedding reception hosted by the Countess De Mirac,

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