The Red House Mystery

by Alan Alexander Milne

THE RED HOUSE MYSTERY

[Front matter]

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

NOT THAT IT MATTERS

"There is the satisfaction of knowing that wherever you may dip into this book you will be amused."—The Times (London).

IF I MAY

"A very entertaining collection of whimsical essays which it is not extravagant to call excellent."—The Bookman.

E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY

THE RED HOUSE MYSTERY

By

A. A. MILNE

Author of "Mr. Pim Passes By," "The Dover Road," etc.

 

 

NEW YORK
E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY
681 FIFTH AVENUE

Copyright 1922

By E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY

---

All Rights Reserved

1. First printing ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   March, 1922

2. Second printing ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   April, 1922

3. Third printing ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   April, 1922

4. Fourth printing ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   April, 1922

 

Printed in the United States of America

To John Vine Milne

My dear Father,

Like all really nice people, you have a weakness for detective stories, and feel that there are not enough of them. So, after all that you have done for me, the least that I can do for you is to write you one. Here it is: with more gratitude and affection than I can well put down here.

A. A. M.

CONTENTS

1. CHAPTER

   PAGE

2. I.

   Mrs. Stevens is Frightened ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   1

3. II.

   Mr. Gillingham Gets Out at the Wrong Station ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   12

4. III.

   Two Men and a Body ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   25

5. IV.

   The Brother from Australia ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   37

6. V.

   Mr. Gillingham Chooses a New Profession ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   50

7. VI.

   Outside Or Inside? ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   62

8. VII.

   Portrait of a Gentleman ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   73

9. VIII.

   "Do You Follow Me, Watson?" ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

   84

10. IX.

    Possibilities of a Croquet Set ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    99

11. X.

    Mr. Gillingham Talks Nonsense ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    113

12. XI.

    The Reverend Theodore Ussher ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    125

13. XII.

    A Shadow on the Wall ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    137

14. XIII.

    The Open Window ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    148

15. XIV.

    Mr. Beverley Qualifies for the Stage ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    160

16. XV.

    Mrs. Norbury Confides in Dear Mr. Gillingham ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    172

17. XVI.

    Getting Ready for the Night ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    185

18. XVII.

    Mr. Beverley Takes the Water ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    199

19. XVIII.

    Guess-Work ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    218

20. XIX.

    The Inquest ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    229

21. XX.

    Mr. Beverley is Tactful ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    243

22. XXI.

    Cayley's Apology ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    252

23. XXII.

    Mr. Beverley Moves On ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

    268