The Fate of the "Artemis"
"The Fate of the 'Artemis'" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy is a mystery story involving espionage, blackmail, and a clever ruse to protect a British ship. The narrative unfolds with the return of the ship Artemis, which had been tasked with delivering quick-firing guns to Port Arthur amidst rising tensions between Russia and Japan. Captain Jutland's explanations deepen the mystery surrounding the ship's journey. The plot thickens when Captain Markham, entrusted with secret plans to navigate the Artemis safely through submarine mines, is found bound and gagged, with the plans stolen. The public becomes suspicious of Captain Markham, suspecting him of collusion with a mysterious foreigner who visited him before the theft. The foreigner, described as a tall man with gold-rimmed spectacles, is believed to have blackmailed Markham, leveraging a past crime involving the wreck of the yacht Ridstow. The narrative reveals that Markham was coerced into aiding the foreigner, who sought to sell the plans to enemies of Russia. The story reaches a climax when Captain Markham is accused of treachery, leading to a court case where public opinion is against him. However, the twist comes when it is revealed that the Artemis safely reached Port Arthur, thanks to a clever plan orchestrated by Markham's wife. She had secretly ensured the plans were delivered to Captain Jutland, while staging the robbery to mislead the blackmailer and protect her husband. The resolution highlights the ingenuity of Mrs. Markham, who orchestrated the deception to save both the ship and her husband from ruin. The story concludes with the implication that the blackmailer, a Russian with a vendetta against his government, will not dare to return to England, having been outmaneuvered by the Markhams.
By Baroness Emmuska Orczy · Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller · 4 chapters
Contents
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV