Chapter 1 Summary

The story begins with Dr. James Sheppard returning home from his visit to Mrs. Ferrars' residence. He was called there when Mrs. Ferrars was found dying, but by the time he arrived, she had already passed on. At home, his older sister, Caroline, calls out to him, curious to find out what happened during his visit. Caroline is the town gossip and rarely even has to leave her home to obtain all the little bits of juicy information she flourishes on. James suspects that the servants and tradesmen of the town constitute what he calls her Intelligence Corps.

James is apprehensive when she questions him about his outings, for her knows any information he lets slip out will become public knowledge almost immediately. Nevertheless, soon James discovers that Caroline already knows all there is to know about Mrs. Ferrars and her death, thanks...