A Strange Disappearance · Chapter
IX: A Few Golden Hairs explained
Mr.
What happens
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 discovery of a comb with golden hairs under a bureau suggests deception, while the Schoenmakers remain at large and the mystery deepens.
Themes in this chapter
Detection and Truth
The discovery of the body and the comb with golden hairs challenges the initial narrative, highlighting the theme of uncovering hidden truths.
Secrecy and Social Reputation
The involvement of respected parties like Mr. Blake and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the girl's disappearance underscore the tension between public reputation and hidden secrets.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Gryce
Leads the investigation, reveals the description distributed to harbor police, and questions Fanny's reliability.
- Mr. Blake
Mentioned in connection with the missing girl and a planned dinner party that may be interrupted.
- Fanny
Her description of the missing girl's black hair is contradicted by the golden hairs found in a comb under the bureau.
- The Schoenmakers
Escaped from authorities up north and are now in the city, causing trouble.
Key passages
“Next time you examine a room in which anything of a mysterious nature has occurred, look under the bureau and if you find a comb there with several long golden hairs tangled in it, be very sure before you draw any definite conclusions, that your Fannys know what they are talking about when they declare the girl who used that comb had black hair on her head.”
Mr. Gryce advises that when investigating a mysterious room, one should check under the bureau for a comb with golden hairs, as it may disprove witnesses who claim the girl had black hair.
Highlights the theme of detection and the unreliability of testimony.
“The dead body of a girl such as you describe was found in the East river off Fiftieth Street this morning. From appearance has been dead some time.”
A letter reports that a girl matching the description was found dead in the East River near Fiftieth Street, having been dead for a while.
Triggers the investigation of the wrong body in the river.