In The Library

"In The Library"
Short story by W. W. Jacobs
Text available at Wikisource
Country	England
Language	English
Genre(s)	Crime, short story
Publication
Published in	Harper's Monthly
Media type	Magazine
Publication date	June 1901

"In The Library" is a crime short story by W. W. Jacobs. It was published in the June 1901 issue of Harper's Magazine. It follows a young man trying to cover up the murder of his friend, after said friend wants to rid him of his living space.

Plot

"BURLEIGH, WITH A FEELING OF NAUSEA, DREW BACK TOWARD THE DOOR."

Illustrated by Maurice Greiffenhagen for the publication in Harper's Magazine and the first edition of The Lady of the Barge.

Trayton Burleigh and James Fletcher own an apartment on the third floor which in the back is part library, study, and smoke-room. They inherited it from a long-line of men about ten years ago. James is kicking out Trayton because he believes that Trayton is well enough on his own, and no longer wants to share it with him anymore. James offers Trayton £200 to leave the next day, to which Trayton reacts negatively. As Trayton walks away he picks up a katana off a nearby ivory and murders James with it.

Storming away from the scene hastily, Trayton begins to think how worse it could get for him. He doesn't want to make any "elementary" mistakes on the scene of the crime, since he dictates that's how most criminals are caught. Reluctantly, he goes back to his home and picks up a revolver. However, he scarily notices how the library door, which he remembers distinctly closing, is slightly open by five or four inches. He closes the hallway door to the library, only to hear the cries of a man inside demanding to be let out. Trayton rushes outside and a sergeant happens to be walking by, and he calls him inside.

The sergeant charges into the door, breaking it off the latches and accessing the prisoner. The sergeant and Trayton seat next to each other as the sergeant interrogates the prisoner. The prisoner urges he hasn't been there for even ten minutes. The sergeant puts the prisoner in cuffs and turns to Trayton, pointing at his revolver and telling him he doesn't need it. Trayton gives his revolver to the man without a second thought. The sergeant then points out how one of Trayton's wrists look broken. Confused, Trayton shows both of his wrists side by side. The sergeant swiftly places handcuffs over Trayton's wrists as he goes over to James' body and pulls the katana out of his breast. He sits next to him, questioning and getting information as Trayton watches.