“”Oneevening，aboutthethirdweekafterourstart，thedoctor
　　hadcomedowntoseeoneoftheprisonerswhowasill，and，putting
　　hishanddownonthebottomofhisbunk，hefelttheoutlineofthe
　　pistols。Ifhehadbeensilenthemighthaveblownthewholething，
　　buthewasanervouslittlechap，sohegaveacryofsurpriseand
　　turnedsopalethatthemanknewwhatwasupinaninstantand
　　seizedhim。Hewasgaggedbeforehecouldgivethealarmandtieddown
　　uponthebed。Hehadunlockedthedoorthatledtothedeck，andwe
　　werethroughitinarush。Thetwosentrieswereshotdown，andsowas
　　acorporalwhocamerunningtoseewhatwasthematter。Thereweretwo
　　moresoldiersatthedoorofthestateroom，andtheirmusketsseemed
　　nottobeloaded，fortheyneverfireduponus，andtheywereshot
　　whiletryingtofixtheirbayonets。Thenwerushedonintothe
　　captain”scabin，butaswepushedopenthedoortherewasanexplosion
　　fromwithin，andtherehelaywithhisbrainssmearedoverthechart
　　oftheAtlanticwhichwaspinneduponthetable，whilethechaplain
　　stoodwithasmokingpistolinhishandathiselbow。Thetwomates
　　hadbothbeenseizedbythecrew，andthewholebusinessseemedto
　　besettled。
　　“”Thestateroomwasnextthecabin，andweflockedinthereand
　　floppeddownonthesettees，allspeakingtogether，forwewerejust
　　madwiththefeelingthatwewerefreeoncemore。Therewerelockers
　　allround，andWilson，theshamchaplain，knockedoneofthemin，
　　andpulledoutadozenofbrownsherry。Wecrackedoffthenecksof
　　thebottles，pouredthestuffoutintotumblers，andwerejusttossing
　　themoffwheninaninstantwithoutwarningtherecametheroarof
　　musketsinourears，andthesaloonwassofullofsmokethatwecould
　　notseeacrossthetable。Whenitclearedagaintheplacewasa
　　shambles。Wilsonandeightotherswerewrigglingonthetopofeach
　　otheronthefloor，andthebloodandthebrownsherryonthattable
　　turnmesicknowwhenIthinkofit。Weweresocowedbythesight
　　thatIthinkweshouldhavegiventhejobupifithadnotbeenfor
　　Prendergast。Hebellowedlikeabullandrushedforthedoorwith
　　allthatwereleftaliveathisheels。Outweran，andthereonthe
　　poopwerethelieutenantandtenofhismen。Theswingskylightsabove
　　thesaloontablehadbeenabitopen，andtheyhadfiredonusthrough
　　theslit。Wegotonthembeforetheycouldload，andtheystoodto
　　itlikemen；butwehadtheupperhandofthem，andinfiveminutesit
　　wasallover。MyGod！wasthereeveraslaughter-houselikethatship！
　　Prendergastwaslikearagingdevil，andhepickedthesoldiersup
　　asiftheyhadbeenchildrenandthrewthemoverboardaliveordead。
　　Therewasonesergeantthatwashorriblywoundedandyetkepton
　　swimmingforasurprisingtimeuntilsomeoneinmercyblewouthis
　　brains。Whenthefightingwasovertherewasnooneleftofour
　　enemiesexceptjustthewarders，themates，and，thedoctor。
　　“”Itwasoverthemthatthegreatquarrelarose。Thereweremany
　　ofuswhoweregladenoughtowinbackourfreedom，andyetwhohadno
　　wishtohavemurderonoursouls。Itwasonethingtoknockthe
　　soldiersoverwiththeirmusketsintheirhands，anditwasanotherto
　　standbywhilemenwerebeingkilledincoldblood。Eightofus，
　　fiveconvictsandthreesailors，saidthatwewouldnotseeitdone。
　　ButtherewasnomovingPrendergastandthosewhowerewithhim。Our
　　onlychanceofsafetylayinmakingacleanjobofit，saidhe，andhe
　　wouldnotleaveatonguewithpowertowaginawitness-box。Itnearly
　　cametooursharingthefateoftheprisoners，butatlasthesaid
　　thatifwewishedwemighttakeaboatandgo。Wejumpedattheoffer，
　　forwewerealreadysickofthesebloodthirstydoings，andwesawthat
　　therewouldbeworsebeforeitwasdone。Weweregivenasuitof
　　sailortogseach，abarrelofwater，twocasks，oneofjunkandoneof
　　biscuits，andacompass。Prendergastthrewusoverachart，toldus
　　thatwewereshipwreckedmarinerswhoseshiphadfounderedinLat。15”
　　andLong。25”west，andthencutthepainterandletusgo。
　　“”AndnowIcometothemostsurprisingpartofmystory，mydear
　　son。Theseamenhadhauledthefore-yardabackduringtherising，
　　butnowasweleftthemtheybroughtitsquareagain，andastherewas
　　alightwindfromthenorthandeastthebarkbegantodrawslowly
　　awayfromus。Ourboatlay，risingandfalling，uponthelong，
　　smoothrollers，andEvansandI，whowerethemosteducatedofthe
　　party，weresittinginthesheetsworkingoutourpositionand
　　planningwhatcoastweshouldmakefor。Itwasanicequestion，for
　　theCapeVerdeswereaboutfivehundredmilestothenorthofus，
　　andtheAfricancoastaboutsevenhundredtotheeast。Onthewhole，
　　asthewindwascomingroundtothenorth，wethoughtthatSierra
　　Leonemightbebestandturnedourheadinthatdirection，thebark
　　beingatthattimenearlyhulldownonourstarboardquarter。Suddenly
　　aswelookedatherwesawadenseblackcloudofsmokeshootup
　　fromher，whichhunglikeamonstroustreeuponthesky-line。Afew
　　secondslateraroarlikethunderburstuponourears，andasthe
　　smokethinnedawaytherewasnosignleftoftheGloriaScott。Inan
　　instantweswepttheboat”sheadroundagainandpulledwithallour
　　strengthfortheplacewherethehazestilltrailingoverthewater
　　markedthesceneofthiscatastrophe。
　　“”Itwasalonghourbeforewereachedit，andatfirstwefeared
　　thatwehadcometoolatetosaveanyone。Asplinteredboatanda
　　numberofcratesandfragmentsofsparsrisingandfallingonthe
　　wavesshoweduswherethevesselhadfoundered；buttherewasno
　　signoflife，andwehadturnedawayindespair，whenweheardacry
　　forhelpandsawatsomedistanceapieceofwreckagewithamanlying
　　stretchedacrossit。Whenwepulledhimaboardtheboatheprovedto
　　beayoungseamanofthenameofHudson，whowassoburnedand
　　exhaustedthathecouldgiveusnoaccountofwhathadhappened
　　untilthefollowingmorning。
　　“Itseemedthatafterwehadleft，Prendergastandhisganghad
　　proceededtoputtodeaththefiveremainingprisoners。Thetwo
　　wardershadbeenshotandthrownoverboard，andsoalsohadthe
　　thirdmate。Prendergastthendescendedintothe”tween-decksand
　　withhisownhandscutthethroatoftheunfortunatesurgeon。There
　　onlyremainedthefirstmate，whowasaboldandactiveman。Whenhe
　　sawtheconvictapproachinghimwiththebloodyknifeinhishandhe
　　kickedoffhisbonds，whichhehadsomehowcontrivedtoloosen，and
　　rushingdownthedeckheplungedintotheafter-hold。Adozen
　　convicts，whodescendedwiththeirpistolsinsearchofhim，foundhim
　　withamatch-boxinhishandseatedbesideanopenpowder-barrel，
　　whichwasoneofthehundredcarriedonboard，andswearingthathe
　　wouldblowallhandsupifhewereinanywaymolested。Aninstant
　　latertheexplosionoccurred，thoughHudsonthoughtitwascausedby
　　themisdirectedbulletofoneoftheconvictsratherthanthemate”s
　　match。Bethecausewhatitmay，itwastheendoftheGloriaScott
　　andoftherabblewhoheldcommandofher。
　　“”Such，inafewwords，mydearboy，isthehistoryofthisterrible
　　businessinwhichIwasinvolved。Nextdaywewerepickedupbythe
　　brigHotspur，boundforAustralia，whosecaptainfoundnodifficulty
　　inbelievingthatwewerethesurvivorsofapassengershipwhich
　　hadfoundered。ThetransportshipGloriaScottwassetdownbythe
　　Admiraltyasbeinglostatsea，andnowordhaseverleakedoutas
　　tohertruefate。AfteranexcellentvoyagetheHotspurlandedusat
　　Sydney，whereEvansandIchangedournamesandmadeourwaytothe
　　diggings，where，amongthecrowdswhoweregatheredfromall
　　nations，wehadnodifficultyinlosingourformeridentities。The
　　restIneednotrelate。Weprospered，wetravelled，wecamebackas
　　richcolonialstoEngland，andweboughtcountryestates。Formore
　　thantwentyyearswehaveledpeacefulandusefullives，andwe
　　hopedthatourpastwasforeverburied。Imagine，then，myfeelings
　　whenintheseamanwhocametousIrecognizedinstantlythemanwho
　　hadbeenpickedoffthewreck。Hehadtrackedusdownsomehowand
　　hadsethimselftoliveuponourfears。Youwillunderstandnowhowit
　　wasthatIstrovetokeepthepeacewithhim，andyouwillinsome
　　measuresympathizewithmeinthefearswhichfillme，nowthathehas
　　gonefrommetohisothervictimwiththreatsuponhistongue。”
　　“Underneathiswritteninahandsoshakyastobehardlylegible，”BeddoeswritesinciphertosayH。hastoldall。SweetLord，have
　　mercyonoursouls！”
　　“ThatwasthenarrativewhichIreadthatnighttoyoungTrevor，and
　　Ithink，Watson，thatunderthecircumstancesitwasadramaticone。
　　Thegoodfellowwasheart-brokenatit，andwentouttotheTerai
　　teaPlanting，whereIhearthatheisdoingwell。Astothesailorand
　　Beddoes，neitherofthemwaseverheardofagainafterthatdayon
　　whichtheletterofwarningwaswritten。Theybothdisappearedutterly
　　andcompletely。Nocomplainthadbeenlodgedwiththepolice，so
　　thatBeddoeshadmistakenathreatforadeed。Hudsonhadbeenseen
　　lurkingabout，anditwasbelievedbythepolicethathehaddoneaway
　　withBeddoesandhadfled。FormyselfIbelievethatthetruthwas
　　exactlytheopposite。IthinkthatitismostprobablethatBeddoes，
　　pushedtodesperationandbelievinghimselftohavebeenalready
　　betrayed，hadrevengedhimselfuponHudson，andhadfledfromthe
　　countrywithasmuchmoneyashecouldlayhishandson。Thosearethe
　　factsofthecase，Doctor，andiftheyareofanyusetoyour
　　collection，Iamsurethattheyareveryheartilyatyourservice。”
　　THEEND。
　　1893
　　SHERLOCKHOLMES
　　THEGREEKINTERPRETER
　　bySirArthurConanDoyle
　　DuringmylongandintimateacquaintancewithMr。SherlockHolmes
　　Ihadneverheardhimrefertohisrelations，andhardlyevertohis
　　ownearlylife。Thisreticenceuponhisparthadincreasedthe
　　somewhatinhumaneffectwhichheproduceduponme，untilsometimesI
　　foundmyselfregardinghimasanisolatedphenomenon，abrain
　　withoutaheart，asdeficientinhumansympathyashewaspreeminent
　　inintelligence。Hisaversiontowomenandhisdisinclinationto
　　formnewfriendshipswerebothtypicalofhisunemotionalcharacter，
　　butnotmoresothanhiscompletesuppressionofeveryreferenceto
　　hisownpeople。Ihadcometobelievethathewasanorphanwithno
　　relativesliving；butoneday，tomyverygreatsurprise，hebegan
　　totalktomeabouthisbrother。
　　Itwasafterteaonasummerevening，andtheconversation，which
　　hadroamedinadesultory，spasmodicfashionfromgolfclubstothe
　　causesofthechangeintheobliquityoftheecliptic，cameroundat
　　lasttothequestionofatavismandhereditaryaptitudes。Thepoint
　　underdiscussionwas，howfaranysingulargiftinanindividualwas
　　duetohisancestryandhowfartohisownearlytraining。
　　“Inyourowncase，“saidI，“fromallthatyouhavetoldme，it
　　seemsobviousthatyourfacultyofobservationandyourpeculiar
　　facilityfordeductionareduetoyourownsystematictraining。”
　　“Tosomeextent“heansweredthoughtfully。“Myancestorswere
　　countrysquires，whoappeartohaveledmuchthesamelifeasis
　　naturaltotheirclass。But，nonetheless，myturnthatwayisin
　　myveins，andmayhavecomewithmygrandmother，whowasthesisterof
　　Vernet，theFrenchartist。Artinthebloodisliabletotakethe
　　strangestforms。”
　　“Buthowdoyouknowthatitishereditary？“
　　“BecausemybrotherMycroftpossessesitinalargerdegreethanI
　　do。”
　　Thiswasnewstomeindeed。Iftherewereanothermanwithsuch
　　singularpowersinEngland，howwasitthatneitherpolicenor
　　publichadheardofhim？Iputthequestion，withahintthatitwas
　　mycompanion”smodestywhichmadehimacknowledgehisbrotherashis
　　superior。Holmeslaughedatmysuggestion。
　　“MydearWatson，“saidhe，“Icannotagreewiththosewhorank
　　modestyamongthevirtues。Tothelogicianallthingsshouldbeseen
　　exactlyastheyare，andtounderestimateone”sselfisasmucha
　　departurefromtruthastoexaggerateone”sownpowers。WhenIsay，
　　therefore，thatMycrofthasbetterpowersofobservationthanI，you
　　maytakeitthatIamspeakingtheexactandliteraltruth。”
　　“Isheyourjunior？“
　　“Sevenyearsmysenior。”
　　“Howcomesitthatheisunknown？“
　　“Oh，heisverywellknowninhisowncircle。”
　　“Where，then？“
　　Well，intheDiogenesClub，forexample。”
　　Ihadneverheardoftheinstitution，andmyfacemusthave
　　proclaimedasmuch，forSherlockHolmespulledouthiswatch。
　　“TheDiogenesClubisthequeerestclubinLondon，andMycroftone
　　ofthequeerestmen。He”salwaystherefromquartertofiveto
　　twentytoeight。It”ssixnow，soifyoucareforastrollthis
　　beautifuleveningIshallbeveryhappytointroduceyoutotwo
　　curiosities。”
　　FiveminuteslaterwewereinthestreetwalkingtowardsRegent”s
　　Circus。
　　“Youwonder，“saidmycompanion，“whyitisthatMycroftdoesnot
　　usehispowersfordetectivework。Heisincapableofit。”
　　“ButIthoughtyousaid-“
　　“Isaidthathewasmysuperiorinobservationanddeduction。Ifthe
　　artofthedetectivebeganandendedinreasoningfromanarmchair，my
　　brotherwouldbethegreatestcriminalagentthateverlived。Buthe
　　hasnoambitionandnoenergy。Hewillnotevengooutofhiswayto
　　verifyhisownsolutions，andwouldratherbeconsideredwrongthan
　　takethetroubletoprovehimselfright。AgainandagainIhave
　　takenaproblemtohim，andhavereceivedanexplanationwhichhas
　　afterwardsprovedtobethecorrectone。Andyethewasabsolutely
　　incapableofworkingoutthepracticalpointswhichmustbegone
　　intobeforeacasecouldbelaidbeforeajudgeorjury。”
　　“Itisnothisprofession，then？“
　　“Bynomeans。Whatistomeameansoflivelihoodistohimthe
　　meresthobbyofadilettante。Hehasanextraordinaryfacultyfor
　　figures，andauditsthebooksinsomeofthegovernmentdepartments。
　　MycroftlodgesinPallMall，andhewalksroundthecornerinto
　　Whitehalleverymorningandbackeveryevening。Fromyear”sendto
　　year”sendhetakesnootherexercise，andisseennowhereelse，
　　exceptonlyintheDiogenesClub，whichisjustoppositehisrooms。”
　　“Icannotrecallthename。”
　　“Verylikelynot。TherearemanymeninLondon，youknow，who，
　　somefromshyness，somefrommisanthropy，havenowishforthecompany
　　oftheirfellows。Yettheyarenotaversetocomfortablechairsand
　　thelatestperiodicals。Itisfortheconvenienceofthesethatthe
　　DiogenesClubwasstarted，anditnowcontainsthemostunsociableand
　　unclubablemenintown。Nomemberispermittedtotaketheleast
　　noticeofanyotherone。SaveintheStranger”sRoom，notalkingis，
　　underanycircumstances，allowed，andthreeoffences，ifbroughtto
　　thenoticeofthecommittee，renderthetalkerliabletoexpulsion。My
　　brotherwasoneofthefounders，andIhavemyselffounditavery
　　soothingatmosphere。”
　　WehadreachedPallMallaswetalked，andwerewalkingdownitfrom
　　theSt。James”send。SherlockHolmesstoppedatadoorsomelittle
　　distancefromtheCarlton，and，cautioningmenottospeak，heledthe
　　wayintothehall。ThroughtheglasspanellingIcaughtaglimpseofa
　　largeandluxuriousroom，inwhichaconsiderablenumberofmenwere
　　sittingaboutandreadingpapers，eachinhisownlittlenook。
　　HolmesshowedmeintoasmallchamberwhichlookedoutintoPallMall，
　　andthen，leavingmeforaminute，hecamebackwithacompanion
　　whomIknewcouldonlybehisbrother。
　　MycroftHolmeswasamuchlargerandstoutermanthanSherlock。
　　Hisbodywasabsolutelycorpulent，buthisface，thoughmassive，had
　　preservedsomethingofthesharpnessofexpressionwhichwasso
　　remarkableinthatofhisbrother。Hiseyes，whichwereofa
　　peculiarlylight，waterygray，seemedtoalwaysretainthat
　　far-away，introspectivelookwhichIhadonlyobservedinSherlock”s
　　whenhewasexertinghisfullpowers。
　　“Iamgladtomeetyou，sir，“saidhe，puttingoutabroad，fathand
　　liketheflipperofaseal。“IhearofSherlockeverywheresinceyou
　　becamehischronicler。Bytheway，Sherlock，Iexpectedtoseeyou
　　roundlastweektoconsultmeoverthatManorHousecase。Ithought
　　youmightbealittleoutofyourdepth。”
　　“No，Isolvedit，“saidmyfriend，smiling。
　　“ItwasAdams，ofcourse。”
　　“Yes，itwasAdams。”
　　“Iwassureofitfromthefirst。”Thetwosatdowntogetherin
　　thebow-windowoftheclub。Toanyonewhowishestostudymankindthis
　　isthespot，“saidMycroft。“Lookatthemagnificenttypes！Lookat
　　thesetwomenwhoarecomingtowardsus，forexample。”
　　“Thebilliard-markerandtheother？“
　　“Precisely。Whatdoyoumakeoftheother？“
　　Thetwomenhadstoppedoppositethewindow。Somechalkmarksover
　　thewaistcoatpocketweretheonlysignsofbilliardswhichIcould
　　seeinoneofthem。Theotherwasaverysmall，darkfellow，with
　　hishatpushedbackandseveralpackagesunderhisarm。
　　“Anoldsoldier，Iperceive，“saidSherlock。
　　“Andveryrecentlydischarged，“remarkedthebrother。
　　“ServedinIndia，Isee。”
　　“Andanon-commissionedofficer。”
　　“RoyalArtillery，Ifancy，“saidSherlock。
　　“Andawidower。”
　　“Butwithachild。”
　　“Children，mydearboy，children。”
　　“Come，“saidI，laughing，“thisisalittletoomuch。”
　　“Surely，“answeredHolmes，“itisnothardtosaythatamanwith
　　thatbearing，expressionofauthority，andsun-bakedskin，isa
　　soldier，ismorethanaprivate，andisnotlongfromIndia。”
　　“Thathehasnotlefttheservicelongisshownbyhisstillwearing
　　hisammunitionboots，astheyarecalled，“observedMycroft。
　　“Hehadnotthecavalrystride，yetheworehishatononeside，
　　asisshownbythelighterskinonthatsideofhisbrow。Hisweight
　　isagainsthisbeingasapper。Heisintheartillery。”
　　“Then，ofcourse，hiscompletemourningshowsthathehaslost
　　someoneverydear。Thefactthatheisdoinghisownshoppinglooksas
　　thoughitwerehiswife。Hehasbeenbuyingthingsforchildren，you
　　perceive。Thereisarattle，whichshowsthatoneofthemisvery
　　young。Thewifeprobablydiedinchildbed。Thefactthathehasa
　　picture-bookunderhisarmshowsthatthereisanotherchildtobe
　　thoughtof。”
　　Ibegantounderstandwhatmyfriendmeantwhenhesaidthathis
　　brotherpossessedevenkeenerfacultiesthanhedidhimself。He
　　glancedacrossatmeandsmiled。Mycrofttooksnufffroma
　　tortoise-shellboxandbrushedawaythewanderinggrainsfromhiscoat
　　frontwithalarge，redsilkhandkerchief。
　　“Bytheway，Sherlock，“saidhe，“Ihavehadsomethingquiteafter
　　yourownheart-amostsingularproblem-submittedtomyjudgment。I
　　reallyhadnottheenergytofollowitupsaveinaveryincomplete
　　fashion，butitgavemeabasisforsomepleasingspeculations。Ifyou
　　wouldcaretohearthefacts-“
　　“MydearMycroft，Ishouldbedelighted。”
　　Thebrotherscribbledanoteuponaleafofhispocket-book，and，
　　ringingthebell，hehandedittothewaiter。
　　“IhaveaskedMr。Melastostepacross，“saidhe。“Helodgeson
　　theflooraboveme，andIhavesomeslightacquaintancewithhim，
　　whichledhimtocometomeinhisperplexity。Mr。MelasisaGreekby
　　extraction，asIunderstand，andheisaremarkablelinguist。Heearns
　　hislivingpartlyasinterpreterinthelawcourtsandpartlyby
　　actingasguidetoanywealthyOrientalswhomayvisitthe
　　NorthumberlandAvenuehotels。IthinkIwillleavehimtotellhis
　　veryremarkableexperienceinhisownfashion。”
　　Afewminuteslaterwewerejoinedbyashort，stoutmanwhoseolive
　　faceandcoalblackhairproclaimedhisSouthernorigin，thoughhis
　　speechwasthatofaneducatedEnglishman。Heshookhandseagerlywith
　　SherlockHolmes，andhisdarkeyessparkledwithpleasurewhenhe
　　understoodthatthespecialistwasanxioustohearhisstory。
　　“Idonotbelievethatthepolicecreditme-onmyword，Idonot，“
　　saidheinawailingvoice。“Justbecausetheyhaveneverheardof
　　itbefore，theythinkthatsuchathingcannotbe。ButIknowthatI
　　shallneverbeeasyinmyminduntilIknowwhathasbecomeofmypoor
　　manwiththesticking-plasteruponhisface。”
　　“Iamallattention，“saidSherlockHolmes。
　　“ThisisWednesdayevening，“saidMr。Melas。“Well，then，itwas
　　Mondaynight-onlytwodaysago，youunderstand-thatallthishappened。
　　Iamaninterpreter，asperhapsmyneighbourtherehastoldyou。I
　　interpretalllanguages-ornearlyall-butasIamaGreekbybirthand
　　withaGrecianname，itiswiththatparticulartonguethatIam
　　principallyassociated。FormanyyearsIhavebeenthechiefGreek
　　interpreterinLondon，andmynameisverywellknowninthehotels。
　　“IthappensnotunfrequentlythatIamsentforatstrangehours
　　byforeignerswhogetintodifficulties，orbytravellerswhoarrive
　　lateandwishmyservices。Iwasnotsurprised，therefore，onMonday
　　nightwhenaMr。Latimer，averyfashionablydressedyoungman，came
　　uptomyroomsandaskedmetoaccompanyhiminacabwhichwas
　　waitingatthedoor。AGreekfriendhadcometoseehimuponbusiness，
　　hesaid，andashecouldspeaknothingbuthisowntongue，the
　　servicesofaninterpreterwereindispensable。Hegavemeto
　　understandthathishousewassomelittledistanceoff，inKensington，
　　andheseemedtobeinagreathurry，bustlingmerapidlyintothecab
　　whenwehaddescendedtothestreet。
　　“Isayintothecab，butIsoonbecamedoubtfulastowhetheritwas
　　notacarriageinwhichIfoundmyself。Itwascertainlymoreroomy
　　thantheordinaryfour-wheeleddisgracetoLondon，andthefittings，
　　thoughfrayed，wereofrichquality。Mr。Latimerseatedhimself
　　oppositetomeandwestartedoffthroughCharingCrossandupthe
　　ShaftesburyAvenue。WehadcomeoutuponOxfordStreetandIhad
　　venturedsomeremarkastothisbeingaroundaboutwayto
　　Kensington，whenmywordswerearrestedbytheextraordinaryconduct
　　ofmycompanion。
　　“Hebeganbydrawingamostformidable-lookingbludgeonloaded
　　withleadfromhispocket，andswitchingitbackwardandforward
　　severaltimes，asiftotestitsweightandstrength。Thenheplaced
　　itwithoutawordupontheseatbesidehim。Havingdonethis，he
　　drewupthewindowsoneachside，andIfoundtomyastonishment
　　thattheywerecoveredwithpapersoastopreventmyseeingthrough
　　them。
　　“”Iamsorrytocutoffyourview，Mr。Melas”saidhe。”Thefactis
　　thatIhavenointentionthatyoushouldseewhattheplaceisto
　　whichwearedriving。Itmightpossiblybeinconvenienttomeifyou
　　couldfindyourwaythereagain。”
　　“Asyoucanimagine，Iwasutterlytakenabackbysuchanaddress。
　　Mycompanionwasapowerful，broad-shoulderedyoungfellow，and，apart
　　fromtheweapon，Ishouldnothavehadtheslightestchanceina
　　strugglewithhim。
　　“”Thisisveryextraordinaryconduct，Mr。Latimer”Istammered。”Youmustbeawarethatwhatyouaredoingisquiteillegal。”
　　“”Itissomewhatofaliberty，nodoubt”saidhe，”butwe”llmake
　　ituptoyou。Imustwarnyou，however，Mr。Melas，thatifatanytime
　　to-nightyouattempttoraiseanalarmordoanythingwhichisagainst
　　myinterest，youwillfinditaveryseriousthing。Ibegyouto
　　rememberthatnooneknowswhereyouare，andthat，whetheryouarein
　　thiscarriageorinmyhouse，youareequallyinmypower。”
　　“Hiswordswerequietbuthehadaraspingwayofsayingthem，which
　　wasverymenacing。Isatinsilencewonderingwhatonearthcouldbe
　　hisreasonforkidnappingmeinthisextraordinaryfashion。Whatever
　　itmightbe，itwasperfectlyclearthattherewasnopossibleuse
　　inmyresisting，andthatIcouldonlywaittoseewhatmightbefall。
　　“Fornearlytwohourswedrovewithoutmyhavingtheleastclueas
　　towhereweweregoing。Sometimestherattleofthestonestoldofa
　　pavedcauseway，andatothersoursmooth，silentcoursesuggested
　　asphalt；but，savebythisvariationinsound，therewasnothingat
　　allwhichcouldintheremotestwayhelpmetoformaguessasto
　　wherewewere。Thepaperovereachwindowwasimpenetrabletolight，
　　andabluecurtainwasdrawnacrosstheglassworkinfront。Itwasa
　　quarterpastsevenwhenweleftPallMall，andmywatchshowedmethat
　　itwastenminutestoninewhenweatlastcametoastandstill。My
　　companionletdownthewindow，andIcaughtaglimpseofalow，arched
　　doorwaywithalampburningaboveit。AsIwashurriedfromthe
　　carriageitswungopen，andIfoundmyselfinsidethehouse，witha
　　vagueimpressionofalawnandtreesoneachsideofmeasI
　　entered。Whetherthesewereprivategrounds，however，orbona-fide
　　countrywasmorethanIcouldpossiblyventuretosay。
　　“Therewasacolouredgaslampinsidewhichwasturnedsolowthat
　　Icouldseelittlesavethatthehallwasofsomesizeandhungwith
　　pictures。InthedimlightIcouldmakeoutthatthepersonwhohad
　　openedthedoorwasasmall，mean-looking，middle-agedmanwith
　　roundedshoulders。Asheturnedtowardsustheglintofthelight
　　showedmethathewaswearingglasses。
　　“”IsthisMr。Melas，Harold？”saidhe。
　　“”Yes。”
　　“”Welldone，welldone！Noill-will，Mr。Melas，Ihope，butwecould
　　notgetonwithoutyou。Ifyoudealfairwithusyou”llnotregretit，
　　butifyoutryanytricks，Godhelpyou！”Hespokeinanervous，jerky
　　fashion，andwithlittlegigglinglaughsinbetween，butsomehowhe
　　impressedmewithfearmorethantheother。
　　“”Whatdoyouwantwithme？”Iasked。
　　“”OnlytoaskafewquestionsofaGreekgentlemanwhoisvisiting
　　us，andtoletushavetheanswers。Butsaynomorethanyouare
　　toldtosay，or-”herecamethenervousgiggleagain-”youhadbetter
　　neverhavebeenborn。”
　　“Ashespokeheopenedadoorandshowedthewayintoaroom
　　whichappearedtobeveryrichlyfurnished，butagaintheonlylight
　　wasaffordedbyasinglelamphalf-turneddown。Thechamberwas
　　certainlylarge，andthewayinwhichmyfeetsankintothecarpet
　　asIsteppedacrossittoldmeofitsrichness。Icaughtglimpsesof
　　velvetchairs，ahighwhitemarblemantelpiece，andwhatseemedto
　　beasuitofJapanesearmouratonesideofit。Therewasachairjust
　　underthelamp，andtheelderlymanmotionedthatIshouldsitin
　　it。Theyoungerhadleftus，buthesuddenlyreturnedthrough
　　anotherdoor，leadingwithhimagentlemancladinsomesortof
　　loosedressing-gownwhomovedslowlytowardsus。Ashecameintothe
　　circleofdimlightwhichenabledmetoseehimmoreclearlyIwas
　　thrilledwithhorrorathisappearance。Hewasdeadlypaleand
　　terriblyemaciated，withtheprotruding，brillianteyesofamanwhose
　　spiritwasgreaterthanhisstrength。Butwhatshockedmemorethan
　　anysignsofphysicalweaknesswasthathisfacewasgrotesquely
　　criss-crossedwithsticking-plasterandthatonelargepadofitwas
　　fastenedoverhismouth。
　　“”Haveyoutheslate，Harold？”criedtheolderman，asthis
　　strangebeingfellratherthansatdownintoachair。”Arehishands
　　loose？Now，then，givehimthepencil。Youaretoaskthequestions，
　　Mr。Melas，andhewillwritetheanswers。Askhimfirstofallwhether
　　heispreparedtosignthepapers？”
　　“Theman”seyesflashedfire。
　　“”Never！”hewroteinGreekupontheslate。
　　“”Onnoconditions？”Iaskedatthebiddingofourtyrant。
　　“”OnlyifIseehermarriedinmypresencebyaGreekpriestwhom
　　Iknow。”
　　“Themangiggledinhisvenomousway。
　　“”Youknowwhatawaitsyou，then？”
　　“”Icarenothingformyself。”
　　“Thesearesamplesofthequestionsandanswerswhichmadeupour
　　strangehalf-spoken，half-writtenconversation。AgainandagainI
　　hadtoaskhimwhetherhewouldgiveinandsignthedocuments。
　　AgainandagainIhadthesameindignantreply。Butsoonahappy
　　thoughtcametome。Itooktoaddingonlittlesentencesofmyown
　　toeachquestion，innocentonesatfirst，totestwhethereitherof
　　ourcompanionsknewanythingofthematter，andthen，asIfound
　　thattheyshowednosignIplayedamoredangerousgame。Our
　　conversationransomethinglikethis：
　　“”Youcandonogoodbythisobstinacy。Whoareyou？”
　　“”Icarenot。IamastrangerinLondon。”
　　“”Yourfatewillbeonyourownhead。Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？”
　　“”Letitbeso。Threeweeks。”
　　“”Thepropertycanneverbeyours。Whatailsyou？”
　　“”Itshallnotgotovillains。Theyare。”
　　“”Youshallgofreeifyousign。Whathouseisthis？”
　　“”Iwillneversign。Idonotknow。”
　　“”Youarenotdoingheranyservice。Whatisyourname？”
　　“”Letmehearhersayso。Kratides。”
　　“”Youshallseeherifyousign。Whereareyoufrom？”
　　“”ThenIshallneverseeher。Athens。”
　　“Anotherfiveminutes，Mr。Holmes，andIshouldhavewormedout
　　thewholestoryundertheirverynoses。Myverynextquestionmight
　　haveclearedthematterup，butatthatinstantthedooropenedand
　　awomansteppedintotheroom。Icouldnotseeherclearlyenoughto
　　knowmorethanthatshewastallandgracefulwithblackhair，and
　　cladinsomesortofloosewhitegown。
　　“”Harold”saidshe，speakingEnglishwithabrokenaccent。”Icould
　　notstayawaylonger。Itissolonelyuptherewithonly-Oh，myGod，
　　itisPaul！”
　　“TheselastwordswereinGreek，andatthesameinstanttheman
　　withaconvulsiveefforttoretheplasterfromhislips，andscreaming
　　out”Sophy！Sophy！”rushedintothewoman”sarms。Theirembracewas
　　butforaninstant，however，fortheyoungermanseizedthewoman
　　andpushedheroutoftheroom，whiletheeldereasilyoverpoweredhis
　　emaciatedvictimanddraggedhimawaythroughtheotherdoor。Fora
　　momentIwasleftaloneintheroom，andIsprangtomyfeetwithsome
　　vagueideathatImightinsomewaygetacluetowhatthishouse
　　wasinwhichIfoundmyself。Fortunately，however，Itooknosteps，
　　forlookingupIsawthattheoldermanwasstandinginthedoorway，
　　withhiseyesfixeduponme。
　　“”Thatwilldo，Mr。Melas”saidhe。”Youperceivethatwehave
　　takenyouintoourconfidenceoversomeveryprivatebusiness。We
　　shouldnothavetroubledyou，onlythatourfriendwhospeaksGreek
　　andwhobeganthesenegotiationshasbeenforcedtoreturntothe
　　East。Itwasquitenecessaryforustofindsomeonetotakehisplace，
　　andwewerefortunateinhearingofyourpowers。”
　　“Ibowed。
　　“”Therearefivesovereignshere”saidhe，walkinguptome，”which
　　will，Ihope，beasufficientfee。Butremember”headded，tappingme
　　lightlyonthechestandgiggling，”ifyouspeaktoahumansoulabout
　　this-onehumansoul，mind-well，mayGodhavemercyuponyoursoul！”
　　“Icannottellyoutheloathingandhorrorwithwhichthis
　　insignificant-lookingmaninspiredme。Icouldseehimbetternowas
　　thelamp-lightshoneuponhim。Hisfeatureswerepeakyandsallow，and
　　hislittlepointedbeardwasthreadyandill-nourished。Hepushed
　　hisfaceforwardashespokeandhislipsandeyelidswerecontinually
　　twitchinglikeamanwithSt。Vitus”sdance。Icouldnothelpthinking
　　thathisstrange，catchylittlelaughwasalsoasymptomofsome
　　nervousmalady。Theterrorofhisfacelayinhiseyes，however，steel
　　gray，andglisteningcoldlywithamalignantinexorablecrueltyin
　　theirdepths。
　　“”Weshallknowifyouspeakofthis”saidhe。”Wehaveourown
　　meansofinformation。Nowyouwillfindthecarriagewaiting，andmy
　　friendwillseeyouonyourway。”
　　“Iwashurriedthroughthehallandintothevehicle，again
　　obtainingthatmomentaryglimpseoftreesandagarden。Mr。Latimer
　　followedcloselyatmyheelsandtookhisplaceoppositetomewithout
　　aword。Insilenceweagaindroveforaninterminabledistancewith
　　thewindowsraised，untilatlast，justaftermidnight，thecarriage
　　pulledup。
　　“”Youwillgetdownhere，Mr。Melas”saidmycompanion。”Iamsorry
　　toleaveyousofarfromyourhouse，butthereisnoalternative。
　　Anyattemptuponyourparttofollowthecarriagecanonlyendin
　　injurytoyourself。”
　　“Heopenedthedoorashespoke，andIhadhardlytimetospringout
　　whenthecoachmanlashedthehorseandthecarriagerattledaway。I
　　lookedaroundmeinastonishment。Iwasonsomesortofaheathy
　　commonmottledoverwithdarkclumpsoffurze-bushes。Faraway
　　stretchedalineofhouses，withalighthereandthereintheupper
　　windows。OntheothersideIsawtheredsignal-lampsofarailway。
　　“Thecarriagewhichhadbroughtmewasalreadyoutofsight。Istood
　　gazingroundandwonderingwhereonearthImightbe，whenIsaw
　　someonecomingtowardsmeinthedarkness。AshecameuptomeI
　　madeoutthathewasarailwayporter。
　　“”Canyoutellmewhatplacethisis？”Iasked。
　　“”WandsworthCommon”saidhe。
　　“”CanIgetatrainintotown？”
　　“”IfyouwalkonamileorsotoClaphamJunction”saidhe，”you”ll
　　justbeintimeforthelasttoVictoria。”
　　“Sothatwastheendofmyadventure，Mr。Holmes。Idonotknow
　　whereIwas，norwhomIspokewith，noranythingsavewhatIhavetold
　　you。ButIknowthatthereisfoulplaygoingon，andIwanttohelp
　　thatunhappymanifIcan。ItoldthewholestorytoMr。Mycroft
　　Holmesnextmorning，andsubsequentlytothepolice。”
　　Weallsatinsilenceforsomelittletimeafterlisteningtothis
　　extraordinarynarrative。ThenSherlocklookedacrossathisbrother。
　　“Anysteps？“heasked。
　　MycroftpickeduptheDailyNews，whichwaslyingontheside-table。
　　“Anybodysupplyinganyinformationastothewhereaboutsofa
　　GreekgentlemannamedPaulKratides，fromAthens，whoisunableto
　　speakEnglish，willberewarded。Asimilarrewardpaidtoanyone
　　givinginformationaboutaGreekladywhosefirstnameisSophy。X
　　2473”
　　“Thatwasinallthedailies。Noanswer。”
　　“HowabouttheGreeklegation？“
　　“Ihaveinquired。Theyknownothing。”
　　“AwiretotheheadoftheAthenspolice，then？“
　　“Sherlockhasalltheenergyofthefamily，“saidMycroft，turningto
　　me。“Well，youtakethecaseupbyallmeansandletmeknowifyoudo
　　anygood。”
　　“Certainly，“answeredmyfriend，risingfromhischair。“I”lllet
　　youknow，andMr。Melasalso。Inthemeantime，Mr。Melas，Ishould
　　certainlybeonmyguardifIwereyou，forofcoursetheymustknow
　　throughtheseadvertisementsthatyouhavebetrayedthem。”
　　Aswewalkedhometogether，Holmesstoppedatatelegraphofficeand
　　sentofseveralwires。
　　“Yousee，Watson，“heremarked，“oureveninghasbeenbynomeans
　　wasted。Someofmymostinterestingcaseshavecometomeinthis
　　waythroughMycroft。Theproblemwhichwehavejustlistenedto，
　　althoughitcanadmitofbutoneexplanation，hasstillsome
　　distinguishingfeatures。”
　　“Youhavehopesofsolvingit？“
　　“Well，knowingasmuchaswedo，itwillbesingularindeedifwe
　　failtodiscovertherest。Youmustyourselfhaveformedsometheory
　　whichwillexplainthefactstowhichwehavelistened。”
　　“Inavagueway，yes。”
　　“Whatwasyouridea，then？“
　　“ItseemedtometobeobviousthatthisGreekgirlhadbeencarried
　　offbytheyoungEnglishmannamedHaroldLatimer。”
　　“Carriedofffromwhere？“
　　“Athens，perhaps。”
　　SherlockHolmesshookhishead。“Thisyoungmancouldnottalka
　　wordofGreek。TheladycouldtalkEnglishfairlywell。Inference-that
　　shehadbeeninEnglandsomelittletime，buthehadnotbeenin
　　Greece。”
　　“Well，then，wewillpresumethatshehadoncecomeonavisitto
　　England，andthatthisHaroldhadpersuadedhertoflywithhim。”
　　“Thatismoreprobable。”
　　“Thenthebrother-forthat，Ifancy，mustbethe
　　relationship-comesoverfromGreecetointerfere。Heimprudently
　　putshimselfintothepoweroftheyoungmanandhisolder
　　associate。Theyseizehimanduseviolencetowardshiminorderto
　　makehimsignsomepaperstomakeoverthegirl”sfortune-ofwhich
　　hemaybetrustee-tothem。Thisherefusestodo。Inorderto
　　negotiatewithhimtheyhavetogetaninterpreter，andtheypitch
　　uponthisMr。Melas，havingusedsomeotheronebefore。Thegirlis
　　nottoldofthearrivalofherbrotherandfindsitoutbythe
　　merestaccident。
　　“Excellent，Watson！“criedHolmes。“Ireallyfancythatyouare
　　notfarfromthetruth。Youseethatweholdallthecards，andwe
　　haveonlytofearsomesuddenactofviolenceontheirpart。Ifthey
　　giveustimewemusthavethem。”
　　“Buthowcanwefindwherethishouselies？“
　　“Well，ifourconjectureiscorrectandthegirl”snameisorwas
　　SophyKratides，weshouldhavenodifficultyintracingher。Thatmust
　　beourmainhope，forthebrotheris，ofcourse，acomplete
　　stranger。ItisclearthatsometimehaselapsedsincethisHarold
　　establishedtheserelationswiththegirl-someweeks，atany
　　rate-sincethebrotherinGreecehashadtimetohearofitandcome
　　across。Iftheyhavebeenlivinginthesameplaceduringthistime，
　　itisprobablethatweshallhavesomeanswertoMycroft”s
　　advertisement。”
　　WehadreachedourhouseinBakerStreetwhilewehadbeen
　　talking。Holmesascendedthestairfirst，andasheopenedthedoorof
　　ourroomhegaveastartofsurprise。Lookingoverhisshoulder，Iwas
　　equallyastonished。HisbrotherMycroftwassittingsmokinginthe
　　armchair。
　　“Comein，Sherlock！Comein，sir，“saidheblandly，smilingatour
　　surprisedfaces。“Youdon”texpectsuchenergyfromme，doyou，
　　Sherlock？Butsomehowthiscanattractsme。”
　　“Howdidyougethere？“
　　“Ipassedyouinahansom。”
　　“Therehasbeensomenewdevelopment？“
　　“Ihadananswertomyadvertisement。”
　　“Ah！“
　　“Yes，itcamewithinafewminutesofyourleaving。”
　　“Andtowhateffect？“
　　MycroftHolmestookoutasheetofpaper。
　　“Hereitis，“saidhe，“WrittenwithaJpenonroyalcreampaperby
　　amiddle-agedmanwithaweakconstitution。
　　“SIR[hesays]：
　　“Inanswertoyouradvertisementofto-day”sdate，Ibegtoinform
　　youthatIknowtheyoungladyinquestionverywell。Ifyoushould
　　caretocalluponmeIcouldgiveyousomeparticularsastoher
　　painfulhistory。SheislivingatpresentatTheMyrtles，Beckenham。
　　“Yoursfaithfully，
　　“J。DAVENPORT。
　　“HewritesfromLowerBrixton，“saidMycroftHolmes。“Doyounot
　　thinkthatwemightdrivetohimnow，Sherlock，andlearnthese
　　particulars？“
　　“MydearMycroft，thebrother”slifeismorevaluablethanthe
　　sister”sstory。IthinkweshouldcallatScotlandYardfor
　　InspectorGregsonandgostraightouttoBeckenham。Weknowthataman
　　isbeingdonetodeath，andeveryhourmaybevital。”
　　“BetterpickupMr。Melasonourway，“Isuggested。“Wemayneed
　　aninterpreter。”
　　“Excellent，“saidSherlockHolmes。“Sendtheboyforafour-wheeler，
　　andweshallbeoffatonce。”Heopenedthetable-drawerashe
　　spoke，andInoticedthatheslippedhisrevolverintohispocket。
　　“Yes，“saidheinanswertomyglance，“Ishouldsay，fromwhatwe
　　haveheard，thatwearedealingwithaparticularlydangerousgang。”
　　ItwasalmostdarkbeforewefoundourselvesinPallMall，atthe
　　roomsofMr。Melas。Agentlemanhadjustcalledforhim，andhewas
　　gone。
　　“Canyoutellmewhere？“askedMycroftHolmes。
　　“Idon”tknow，sir，“answeredthewomanwhohadopenedthedoor，
　　“Ionlyknowthathedroveawaywiththegentlemaninacarriage。”
　　“Didthegentlemangiveaname？“
　　“No，sir。”
　　“Hewasn”tatall，handsome。darkyoungman？“
　　“Oh，no，sir。Hewasalittlegentleman，withglasses，thininthe
　　face，butverypleasantinhisways，forhewaslaughingallthe
　　timethathewastalking。”
　　“Comealong！“criedSherlockHolmesabruptly。“Thisgrows
　　serious，“heobservedaswedrovetoScotlandYard。“Thesemenhave
　　gotholdofMelasagain。Heisamanofnophysicalcourage，asthey
　　arewellawarefromtheirexperiencetheothernight。Thisvillainwas
　　abletoterrorizehimtheinstantthathegotintohispresence。No
　　doubttheywanthisprofessionalservices，but，havingusedhim，
　　theymaybeinclinedtopunishhimforwhattheywillregardashis
　　treachery。”
　　Ourhopewasthat，bytakingtrain，wemightgettoBeckenhamas
　　soonasorsoonerthanthecarriage。OnreachingScotlandYard，
　　however，itwasmorethananhourbeforewecouldgetInspector
　　Gregsonandcomplywiththelegalformalitieswhichwouldenableusto
　　enterthehouse。ItwasaquartertotenbeforewereachedLondon
　　Bridge，andhalfpastbeforethefourofusalightedonthe
　　Beckenhamplatform。AdriveofhalfamilebroughtustoTheMyrtles-a
　　large，darkhousestandingbackfromtheroadinitsowngrounds。Here
　　wedismissedourcabandmadeourwayupthedrivetogether。
　　“Thewindowsarealldark，“remarkedtheinspector。“Thehouseseems
　　deserted。”
　　“Ourbirdsareflownandthenestempty，“saidHolmes。
　　“Whydoyousayso？“
　　“Acarriageheavilyloadedwithluggagehaspassedoutduringthe
　　lasthour。”
　　Theinspectorlaughed。“Isawthewheel-tracksinthelightofthe
　　gate-lamp，butwheredoestheluggagecomein？“
　　“Youmayhaveobservedthesamewheel-tracksgoingtheotherway。
　　Buttheoutward-boundoneswereverymuchdeeper-somuchsothatwe
　　cansayforacertaintythattherewasaveryconsiderableweighton
　　thecarriage。”
　　“Yougetatriflebeyondmethere，“saidtheinspector，shrugging
　　hisshoulders。“Itwillnotbeaneasydoortoforce，butwewill
　　tryifwecannotmakesomeonehearus。”
　　Hehammeredloudlyattheknockerandpulledatthebell，but
　　withoutanysuccess。Holmeshadslippedaway，buthecamebackina
　　fewminutes。
　　“Ihaveawindowopen，“saidhe。
　　“Itisamercythatyouareonthesideoftheforce，andnot
　　againstit，Mr。Holmes，“remarkedtheinspectorashenotedtheclever
　　wayinwhichmyfriendhadforcedbackthecatch。“Well，Ithink
　　thatunderthecircumstanceswemayenterwithoutaninvitation。”
　　Oneaftertheotherwemadeourwayintoalargeapartment，which
　　wasevidentlythatinwhichMr。Melashadfoundhimself。Theinspector
　　hadlithislantern，andbyitslightwecouldseethetwodoors，
　　thecurtain，thelamp，andthesuitofJapanesemailashehad
　　describedthem。Onthetablelaytwoglasses，anempty
　　brandy-bottle，andtheremainsofameal。
　　“Whatisthat？“askedHolmessuddenly。
　　Weallstoodstillandlistened。Alowmoaningsoundwascomingfrom
　　somewhereoverourheads。Holmesrushedtothedoorandoutintothe
　　hall。Thedismalnoisecamefromupstairs。Hedashedup，theinspector
　　andIathisheels，whilehisbrotherMycroftfollowedasquicklyas
　　hisgreatbulkwouldpermit。
　　Threedoorsfacedusuponthesecondfloor，anditwasfromthe
　　centralofthesethatthesinistersoundswereissuing，sinking
　　sometimesintoadullmumbleandrisingagainintoashrillwhine。
　　Itwaslocked，butthekeyhadbeenleftontheoutside。Holmes
　　flungopenthedoorandrushedin，buthewasoutagaininaninstant，
　　withhishandtohisthroat。
　　“It”scharcoal，“hecried。“Giveittime。Itwillclear。”
　　Peeringin，wecouldseethattheonlylightintheroomcamefroma
　　dullblueflamewhichflickeredfromasmallbrasstripodinthe
　　centre。Itthrewalivid，unnaturalcircleuponthefloor，whilein
　　theshadowsbeyondwesawthevagueloomoftwofigureswhichcrouched
　　againstthewall。Fromtheopendoortherereekedahorriblepoisonous
　　exhalationwhichsetusgaspingandcoughing。Holmesrushedtothetop
　　ofthestairstodrawinthefreshair，andthen，dashingintothe
　　room，hethrewupthewindowandhurledthebrazentripodoutintothe
　　garden。
　　“Wecanenterinaminute，“hegasped，dartingoutagain。“Where
　　isacandle？Idoubtifwecouldstrikeamatchinthatatmosphere。
　　Holdthelightatthedoorandweshallgetthemout，Mycroft，now！“
　　Witharushwegottothepoisonedmenanddraggedthemoutintothe
　　welllithall。Bothofthemwereblue-lippedandinsensible，with
　　swollen，congestedfacesandprotrudingeyes。Indeed，sodistorted
　　weretheirfeaturesthat，saveforhisblackbeardandstoutfigure，
　　wemighthavefailedtorecognizeinoneofthemtheGreekinterpreter
　　whohadpartedfromusonlyafewhoursbeforeattheDiogenesClub。
　　Hishandsandfeetweresecurelystrappedtogether，andheboreover
　　oneeyethemarksofaviolentblow。Theother，whowassecuredina
　　similarfashion，wasatallmaninthelaststageofemaciation，
　　withseveralstripsofstickingplasterarrangedinagrotesquepattern
　　overhisface。Hehadceasedtomoanaswelaidhimdown，andaglance
　　showedmethatforhimatleastouraidhadcometoolate。Mr。
　　Melas，however，stilllived，andinlessthananhour，withtheaidof
　　ammoniaandbrandy，Ihadthesatisfactionofseeinghimopenhis
　　eyes，andofknowingthatmyhandhaddrawnhimbackfromthatdark
　　valleyinwhichallpathsmeet。
　　Itwasasimplestorywhichhehadtotell，andonewhichdidbut
　　confirmourowndeductions。Hisvisitor，onenteringhisrooms，had
　　drawnalife-preserverfromhissleeve，andhadsoimpressedhim
　　withthefearofinstantandinevitabledeaththathehadkidnapped
　　himforthesecondtime。Indeed，itwasalmostmesmeric，theeffect
　　whichthisgigglingruffianhadproducedupontheunfortunate
　　linguist，forhecouldnotspeakofhimsavewithtremblinghands
　　andablanchedcheek。HehadbeentakenswiftlytoBeckenham，and
　　hadactedasinterpreterinasecondinterview，evenmoredramatic
　　thanthefirst，inwhichthetwoEnglishmenhadmenacedtheirprisoner
　　withinstantdeathifhedidnotcomplywiththeirdemands。Finally，
　　findinghimproofagainsteverythreat，theyhadhurledhimback
　　intohisprison，andafterreproachingMelaswithhistreachery，which
　　appearedfromthenewspaperadvertisement，theyhadstunnedhimwitha
　　blowfromastick，andherememberednothingmoreuntilhefoundus
　　bendingoverhim。
　　AndthiswasthesingularcaseoftheGrecianInterpreter，the
　　explanationofwhichisstillinvolvedinsomemystery。Wewereable
　　tofindout，bycommunicatingwiththegentlemanwhohadanswered
　　theadvertisement，thattheunfortunateyoungladycameofawealthy
　　Grecianfamily，andthatshehadbeenonavisittosomefriendsin
　　England。WhilethereshehadmetayoungmannamedHaroldLatimer，who
　　hadacquiredanascendencyoverherandhadeventuallypersuadedher
　　toflywithhim。Herfriends，shockedattheevent，hadcontented
　　themselveswithinformingherbrotheratAthens，andhadthenwashed
　　theirhandsofthematter。Thebrother，onhisarrivalinEngland，had
　　imprudentlyplacedhimselfinthepowerofLatimerandofhis
　　associate，whosenamewasWilsonKemp-amanofthefoulest
　　antecedents。Thesetwo，findingthatthroughhisignoranceofthe
　　languagehewashelplessintheirhands，hadkepthimaprisoner，
　　andhadendeavouredbycrueltyandstarvationtomakehimsignaway
　　hisownandhissister”sproperty。Theyhadkepthiminthehouse
　　withoutthegirl”sknowledge，andtheplasteroverthefacehadbeen
　　forthepurposeofmakingrecognitiondifficultincasesheshould
　　evercatchaglimpseofhim。Herfeminineperceptions，however，had
　　instantlyseenthroughthedisguisewhen，ontheoccasionofthe
　　interpreter”svisit，shehadseenhimforthefirsttime。Thepoor
　　girl，however，washerselfaprisoner，fortherewasnooneabout
　　thehouseexceptthemanwhoactedascoachman，andhiswife，both
　　ofwhomweretoolsoftheconspirators。Findingthattheirsecret
　　wasout，andthattheirprisonerwasnottobecoerced，thetwo
　　villainswiththegirlhadfledawayatafewhours”noticefromthe
　　furnishedhousewhichtheyhadhired，havingfirst，astheythought，
　　takenvengeancebothuponthemanwhohaddefiedandtheonewhohad
　　betrayedthem。
　　Monthsafterwardsacuriousnewspapercuttingreachedusfrom
　　Budapest。IttoldhowtwoEnglishmenwhohadbeentravellingwitha
　　womanhadmetwithatragicend。Theyhadeachbeenstabbed，itseems，
　　andtheHungarianpolicewereofopinionthattheyhadquarrelled
　　andhadinflictedmortalinjuriesuponeachother。Holmes，however，
　　is，Ifancy，ofadifferentwayofthinking，andheholdstothis
　　daythat，ifonecouldfindtheGreciangirl，onemightlearnhow
　　thewrongsofherselfandherbrothercametobeavenged。
　　THEEND。
　　1891
　　SHERLOCKHOLMES
　　THEMANWITHTHETWISTEDLIP
　　bySirArthurConanDoyle
　　IsaWhitney，brotherofthelateEliasWhitney，D。D。，Principalof
　　theTheologicalCollegeofSt。George”s，wasmuchaddictedtoopium。
　　Hehabitgrewuponhim，asIunderstand，fromsomefoolishfreak
　　whenhewasatcollege；forhavingreadDeQuincey”sdescriptionof
　　hisdreamsandsensations，hehaddrenchedhistobaccowithlaudanum
　　inanattempttoproducethesameeffects。Hefound，assomanymore
　　havedone，thatthepracticeiseasiertoattainthantogetridof，
　　andformanyyearshecontinuedtobeaslavetothedrug，anobject
　　ofmingledhorrorandpitytohisfriendsandrelatives。Icanseehim
　　now，withyellow，pastyface，droopinglids，andpin-pointpupils，all
　　huddledinachair，thewreckandruinofanobleman。
　　Onenight-itwasinJune，”89-therecamearingtomybell，about
　　thehourwhenamangiveshisfirstyawnandglancesattheclock。I
　　satupinmychair，andmywifelaidherneedle-workdowninherlap
　　andmadealittlefaceofdisappointment。
　　“Apatient！“saidshe。“You”llhavetogoout。”
　　Igroaned，forIwasnewlycomebackfromawearyday。
　　Weheardthedooropen，afewhurriedwords，andthenquicksteps
　　uponthelinoleum。Ourowndoorflewopen，andalady，cladinsome
　　dark-colouredstuff，withablackveil，enteredtheroom。
　　“Youwillexcusemycallingsolate，“shebegan，andthen，
　　suddenlylosingherself-control，sheranforward，threwherarms
　　aboutmywife”sneck，andsobbeduponhershoulder。“Oh，I”minsuch
　　trouble！“shecried；“Idosowantalittlehelp。”
　　“Why，“saidmywife，pullingupherveil，“itisKateWhitney。How
　　youstartledme，Kate！Ihadnotanideawhoyouwerewhenyoucame
　　in。”
　　“Ididn”tknowwhattodo，soIcamestraighttoyou。”Thatwas
　　alwaystheway。Folkwhowereingriefcametomywifelikebirdstoa
　　light-house。