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 · First published 1909 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller · 4 chapters · 5,677 words
First lines
"Well, I'm -- ! " was my inelegant mental comment upon the news in that morning's paper.
"So are most people," rejoined the man in the corner, with that eerie way he had of reading my thoughts. "The _Artemis_ has come home, having safely delivered her dangerous cargo, and Captain Jutland's explanations only serve to deepen the mystery."
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — Set against early 20th-century geopolitical tensions with detailed period elements.
- Mystery — Central plot revolves around unexplained events, secret plans, and puzzling occurrences.
- Thriller — The narrative builds suspense through high-stakes dangers and unexpected twists.
- Espionage — Features covert intelligence operations, blackmail, and secret communications.
Tags
adventure · historical fiction · mystery · suspense · nautical · maritime · drama · action · betrayal · intrigue · danger · exploration
What this Textopian page supports
The Fate of the "Artemis" is listed on Textopian as a short story by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Espionage, Crime
- Length: 5,677 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 89 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fate of the "Artemis" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Contents
More by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
- The Emperor's Candlesticks (1899)
- Lady Molly of Scotland Yard (1910)
- The Case of Miss Elliott (1909)
- The Hocussing of Cigarette (1909)
- The Tragedy in Dartmoor Terrace (1909)
- Who Stole the Black Diamonds? (1909)
- The Murder of Miss Pebmarsh (1909)
- The Lisson Grove Mystery (1909)
- All works by Baroness Emmuska Orczy