The Birds as Evidence

The Hidden Staircase

The birds first seem like strange additions to the haunting, then point Nancy toward Nathan’s house and contribute to the proof against him.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Canaries on the Picture Canaries on the Picture from "The Hidden Staircase". An Unnatural Visitor A Startling Sight Two live canaries perch on a picture frame in Floretta’s room.

Canaries on the Picture from "The Hidden Staircase". An Unnatural Visitor A Startling Sight Two live canaries perch on a picture frame in Floretta’s room.

An Unnatural Visitor A Startling Sight Two live canaries perch on a picture frame in Floretta’s room. The sisters have never kept birds and cannot explain how they entered. A Mystery Within the Mystery Nancy releases them outside but keeps the incident in mind. The birds’ presence suggests an intruder may have transported them through some concealed route.

Nathan’s Bird Collection Nathan’s Bird Collection from "The Hidden Staircase". A Suspicion Gains Shape Neighbors Describe the House Rosemary and Floretta tell Nancy that Nathan keeps many birds, including canaries and parrots.

Nathan’s Bird Collection from "The Hidden Staircase". A Suspicion Gains Shape Neighbors Describe the House Rosemary and Floretta tell Nancy that Nathan keeps many birds, including canaries and parrots.

A Suspicion Gains Shape Neighbors Describe the House Rosemary and Floretta tell Nancy that Nathan keeps many birds, including canaries and parrots. The detail gives Nancy a possible source for the birds. A Practical Inference Nancy does not treat the match as proof, but it makes Nathan’s connection to the strange event more plausible. She begins planning a visit to his home.

The Bird Room The Bird Room from "The Hidden Staircase". A House Full of Clues Living and Stuffed Birds Nancy enters a room containing cages of canaries and numerous stuffed birds.

The Bird Room from "The Hidden Staircase". A House Full of Clues Living and Stuffed Birds Nancy enters a room containing cages of canaries and numerous stuffed birds.

A House Full of Clues Living and Stuffed Birds Nancy enters a room containing cages of canaries and numerous stuffed birds. The collection confirms that Nathan’s household could supply the birds found at The Mansion. A Dangerous Discovery A parrot squawks and nearly exposes Nancy. The room offers evidence, but its noise also brings Nathan’s servant toward her hiding place.

A Clue to the Passage A Clue to the Passage from "The Hidden Staircase". A Hidden Room Within a Room The Closet Refuge Nancy hides in a closet behind the parrot’s cage as the servant searches.

A Clue to the Passage from "The Hidden Staircase". A Hidden Room Within a Room The Closet Refuge Nancy hides in a closet behind the parrot’s cage as the servant searches.

A Hidden Room Within a Room The Closet Refuge Nancy hides in a closet behind the parrot’s cage as the servant searches. A small knob presses into her back, catching her attention. From Bird Clue to Architecture The knob activates the hidden wall and reveals the steps. The birds lead Nancy to the very mechanism that explains how they could appear in The Mansion.

A Detail in the Confession A Detail in the Confession from "The Hidden Staircase". Evidence in Context The Bird Room Confirmed Nathan admits that the hidden passage opens into the room where he keeps his birds.

A Detail in the Confession from "The Hidden Staircase". Evidence in Context The Bird Room Confirmed Nathan admits that the hidden passage opens into the room where he keeps his birds.

Evidence in Context The Bird Room Confirmed Nathan admits that the hidden passage opens into the room where he keeps his birds. His statement confirms Nancy’s route through the house. The Case Becomes Complete The birds alone would not establish the thefts, but combined with the passage and recovered property they form part of a coherent account of Nathan’s access.

The morning Floretta discovers her dresses missing

The day before Nancy’s night infiltration

Late on the rainy night inside Nathan’s house

Immediately after the parrot draws the servant upstairs

During Nathan’s questioning after his arrest