- description
- # The Letter from Hiram Scribe
## Overview
This is a segment extracted from the short story [I and My Chimney](arke:01KG6YFYGCYAYC9GHGT2Z086S9), specifically lines 778-820 of the source file [i_and_my_chimney.txt](arke:01KG6YDDFE1YJ2Q37Q9JT1AJVB). It contains the full text of a letter from a character named Hiram Scribe. This segment is part of the [Melville](arke:01KG6YCG626JN4FCG8QK17CQCF) collection.
## Context
The segment is preceded by [Arrival of a Note from Wife](arke:01KG6YGB4RH5YD3K1TWGSD9X3A) and followed by [Narrator's Initial Reaction and Recollections](arke:01KG6YGBV28HH5CBNE0GB7Q4B1) within the narrative of "I and My Chimney." The story and this segment were extracted from the text file [i_and_my_chimney.txt](arke:01KG6YDDFE1YJ2Q37Q9JT1AJVB).
## Contents
The segment contains the complete text of a letter from Hiram Scribe to the narrator. In the letter, Scribe, who apparently examined the narrator's chimney, informs the narrator of a suspicion that there is a concealed, hermetically sealed chamber or closet within the chimney. Scribe speculates that the closet might contain treasure or some other extraordinary object, but leaves the determination of its contents and the appropriate course of action to the narrator. The letter is dated April 1st from New Petra and closes with Scribe's expression of respect and humility.
- description_generated_at
- 2026-01-30T07:57:52.548Z
- description_model
- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- The Letter from Hiram Scribe
- end_line
- 820
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T07:57:24.702Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 778
- text
- no correspondents except Solomon, with whom, in his sentiments, at
least, I entirely correspond, the note occasioned me some little
surprise, which was not diminished upon reading the following:—
NEW PETRA, April 1st.
SIR—During my last examination of your chimney, possibly you may have
noted that I frequently applied my rule to it in a manner apparently
unnecessary. Possibly also, at the same time, you might have observed
in me more or less of perplexity, to which, however, I refrained from
giving any verbal expression.
I now feel it obligatory upon me to inform you of what was then but a
dim suspicion, and as such would have been unwise to give utterance to,
but which now, from various subsequent calculations assuming no little
probability, it may be important that you should not remain in further
ignorance of.
It is my solemn duty to warn you, sir, that there is architectural
cause to conjecture that somewhere concealed in your chimney is a
reserved space, hermetically closed, in short, a secret chamber, or
rather closet. How long it has been there, it is for me impossible to
say. What it contains is hid, with itself, in darkness. But probably a
secret closet would not have been contrived except for some
extraordinary object, whether for the concealment of treasure, or what
other purpose, may be left to those better acquainted with the history
of the house to guess.
But enough: in making this disclosure, sir, my conscience is eased.
Whatever step you choose to take upon it, is of course a matter of
indifference to me; though, I confess, as respects the character of the
closet, I cannot but share in a natural curiosity. Trusting that you
may be guided aright, in determining whether it is Christian-like
knowingly to reside in a house, hidden in which is a secret closet,
I remain,
With much respect,
Yours very humbly,
HIRAM SCRIBE.
- title
- The Letter from Hiram Scribe