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Fergus Hume
THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB
(British Mystery Series)
Published by
Advanced Digital Solutions & High-Quality eBook Formatting
[email protected] 2017 OK Publishing ISBN 978-80-7583-169-9
Table of Contents
II. The Evidence at the Inquest
III. One Hundred Pounds Reward
V. Mrs. Hamilton Unbosoms Herself
VI. Mr. Gorby Makes Further Discoveries
VIII. Brian Takes a Walk and a Drive
IX. Mr. Gorby Is Satisfied at Last
XIV. Another Richmond in the Field
XVIII. Sal Rawlins Tells All She Knows
XX. The “Argus” Gives Its Opinion
XXIII. Across the Walnuts and the Wine
XXVI. Kilsip Has a Theory of His Own
XXVII. Mother Guttersnipe Joins the Majority
XXVIII. Mark Frettlby Has a Visitor
XXIX. Mr. Calton’s Curiosity Is Satisfied
XXXII. De Mortuis Nil Nisi Bonum
Preface
In its original form, “The Mystery of a Hansom Cab” has reached the sale of 375,000 copies in this country, and some few editions in the United States of America. Notwithstanding this, the present publishers have the best of reasons for believing, that there are thousands of persons whom the book has never reached. The causes of this have doubtless been many, but chief among them was the form of the publication itself. It is for this section of the public chiefly that the present edition is issued. In placing it before my new readers, I have been asked by the publishers thoroughly to revise the work, and, at the same time, to set at rest the many conflicting reports concerning it and myself, which have been current since its initial issue. The first of these requests I have complied with, and the many typographic, and other errors, which disfigured the first edition, have, I think I can safely say, now disappeared. The second request I am about to fulfil; but, in order to do so, I must ask my readers to go back with me to the beginning of all things, so far as this special book is concerned.
The writing of the book was due more to accident than to design. I was bent on becoming a dramatist, but, being quite unknown, I found it impossible to induce the managers of the Melbourne Theatres to accept, or even to read a play. At length it occurred to me I might further my purpose by writing a novel. I should at all events secure a certain amount of local attention. Up to that time I had written only one or two short stories, and the “Cab” was not only the first book I ever published, but the first book I ever wrote; so to youth and lack of experience must be ascribed whatever was wanting in the book. I repeat that the story was written only to attract local attention, and no one was more astonished than I when it passed beyond the narrow circle for which it had originally been intended.
My mind made up on this point, I enquired of a leading Melbourne bookseller what style of book he sold most of. He replied that