
"But, Hugo dear," she said, "why did you not tell me long ago?"
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
In a sleepy village where every tea‑time becomes a tiny investigation, the arrival of the Tracey sisters’ new home sets the whole community abuzz. Residents gather at each other’s doors, swapping speculation about the purpose of the freshly laid foundation stone, the mysterious van that ferried elegant furniture, and the whispered rumors that more treasures lie hidden inside. The narrator’s keen eye captures the charm of these bustling afternoons, where curiosity and propriety mingle as freely as the tea.
Amid the chatter, characters like the ever‑busy Mrs. Lovekin, the poised Miss Ruby Tracey, and the inquisitive Miss Lydia Blind provide a lively cast, each adding their own flavor to the unfolding mystery. As the villagers peer through lace curtains and admire the new carpet and footstools, the simple act of offering a cup of tea becomes a window into the deeper secrets the cottage may hold.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (357K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Al Haines
Release date
2011-02-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1864–1916
An adventurous travel writer and war correspondent, she turned difficult journeys into vivid books that brought distant places and conflicts close to her readers. Her life was brief but unusually daring, stretching from South Africa and Central Asia to the front lines of the First World War.
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