
In a bustling New York railway station, a handsome stranger named Billy Magee spots a young woman weeping on a bench. Instinctively drawn to her distress, he wrestles with the classic dilemma of whether to intervene or respect her privacy. Their brief exchange reveals a witty, slightly cynical ticket clerk and a woman whose tears hint at a deeper, unseen trouble, setting the stage for a light‑hearted yet intriguing encounter.
The story unfolds with Mage’s blend of chivalry and self‑awareness, painting a portrait of early‑20th‑century life where humor and romance collide. As he navigates the awkwardness of his approach, listeners are treated to witty dialogue, vivid descriptions of the station’s atmosphere, and a glimpse into the social mores of the era. The opening promises a charming mix of comedy and mystery, inviting you to follow Mage’s next moves and discover what lies beyond this fleeting moment of connection.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (397K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Tor Martin Kristiansen, Joseph Cooper, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2010-01-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1884–1933
Best remembered as the creator of Charlie Chan, this American novelist and playwright turned a trip to Hawaiʻi into one of early 20th-century popular fiction’s most famous detective series. His work mixed mystery, travel, and stage-ready dialogue in a way that helped it move easily from page to screen.
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