“Gentleman Joe! ” “Why, if it isn’t old Jimmy McGrath. ” Castle’s Select Tour, represented by seven depressed-looking females and three perspiring males, looked on with considerable interest. Evidently their Mr. Cade had met an old friend. They all admired Mr. Cade so much, his tall lean figure, his sun-tanned face, the light-hearted manner with which he settled disputes and cajoled them all into good temper. This friend of his now—surely rather a peculiar-looking man. About the same height as Mr. Cade, but thickset and not nearly so good-looking. The sort of man one read about in books, who probably kept a saloon. Interesting, though.
Classic Literature
The Secret of Chimneys passages and copywork.
"The Secret of Chimneys" by Agatha Christie is a suspenseful detective novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces the charming Anthony Cade, who finds himself embroiled in a web of intrigue involving royal secrets and political machinations in a fictional Balkan nation known as Herzoslovakia. As he sets off on a journey to deliver a manuscript of memoirs, he stumbles into a world of blackmail, missing persons, and a potential restoration of a monarchy. At the start of the novel, we meet Anthony Cade while he is working as a tour guide in Africa, where he encounters an old friend, Jimmy McGrath. After a light-hearted exchange, McGrath reveals a plan that involves the delivery of Count Stylptitch's memoirs to a publisher in London, which promises a reward of a thousand pounds. Intrigued, Anthony agrees to take on the task, unaware of the dangerous implications, including confrontation with various factions, including a mysterious former royal and potential assassins. The opening sets the stage for a captivating interplay of romance, adventure, and the classic whodunit elements that Agatha Christie is known for.
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Slow Reading
Read for the sentences that stay with you.
The Passage is built around passages rather than finished-book lists. Open The Secret of Chimneys, notice the line that asks for another look, and keep it close as part of your reading journal.
Sample Passages
A few places to begin.
After all, that was what one came abroad for—to see all these peculiar things one read about in books. Up to now, they had been rather bored with Bulawayo. The sun was unbearably hot, the hotel was uncomfortable, there seemed to be nowhere particular to go until the moment should arrive to motor to the Matoppos. Very fortunately, Mr. Cade had suggested picture postcards. There was an excellent supply of picture postcards. Anthony Cade and his friend had stepped a little apart. “What the hell are you doing with this pack of females? ” demanded McGrath. “Starting a harem. ” “Not with this little lot,” grinned Anthony. “Have you taken a good look at them? ” “I have that.
Thought maybe you were losing your eyesight. ” “My eyesight’s as good as ever it was. No, this is a Castle’s Select Tour. I’m Castle—the local Castle, I mean. ” “What the hell made you take on a job like that? ” “A regrettable necessity for cash. I can assure you it doesn’t suit my temperament. ” Jimmy grinned. “Never a hog for regular work, were you? ” Anthony ignored this aspersion. “However, something will turn up soon, I expect,” he remarked hopefully. “It usually does. ” Jimmy chuckled. “If there’s any trouble brewing, Anthony Cade is sure to be in it sooner or later, I know that,” he said.
Copywork
Turn memorable sentences into practice.
Copywork gives a sentence more time. Type a passage exactly as it appears, then return to the words you chose with more attention than a quick highlight allows.
Reflect
Leave a public or private note on the sentence that mattered.
Copy
Practice one memorable line at a time through focused typing.