"The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter" is a short Sherlock

Holmes story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is a case

that sees Holmes trying to solve a kidnapping, but is more
famous for being the story that introduces Mycroft Holmes,
Sherlock’s older, smarter brother.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would write "The Adventure of the
Greek Interpreter" for publication in the September 1893
edition of The Strand Magazine, with the previous month’s
case being "The Adventure of the Resident Patient."
Later on, in 1893, "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter"
would be republished as part of The Memoirs of Sherlock
Holmes, a collection of short Sherlock Holmes stories.
Summary of "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter"
For two years, the short Sherlock Holmes stories had been
published in The Strand Magazine, and the powers of the
consulting detective were well established. In "The Adventure
of the Greek Interpreter," though, Conan Doyle introduced a
figure whose skills potentially outstripped those of his most
famous creation.
This figure was of course Mycroft Holmes, but Mycroft
Holmes did not have the inclination, nor the energy, to
undertake the same kind of work his brother did.
The case is not a difficult one for Sherlock Holmes to solve,
for indeed, some of the preparatory work, in the form of
newspaper advertisements, has already been undertaken. In
investigating the case though, there is a certain amount of
urgency that is not always present in Sherlock Holmes tales.
In the end the urgency doesn’t allow him to apprehend the
criminals, but as with other cases where the criminals appear
to escape, justice does seemingly catch up to them.
Plot Summary
"The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter" begins with a
discussion between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson about
thei hereditary traits. Previously, Watson has always assumed
that Holmes is unique, an only child, with singular
capabilities. Holmes though, is quick to set his friend straight,
for Sherlock has an older brother called Mycroft.
Sherlock considers that the intellect of Mycroft outstrips his
own, but the detective also recognises that Mycroft doesn’t
have the energy to go along with the intellect; with Mycroft
perfectly comfortable to be considered wrong, rather than
make the effort to prove himself right.
Sherlock though, has on occasion, sought out the advice of his
brother; with Sherlock visiting Mycroft at the Diogenes Club,
with the guidance normally proving accurate.

This time though, Sherlock has been sought by Mycroft, for

Mr Meles, a Greek interpreter and neighbour of Mycroft, had
sought the advice of Mycroft.

A man by the name of Harold Latimer had sought out the

services of Mr Meles, to act as a Greek interpreter. Mr Meles
had been collected in a blacked-out cab, and although told the
destination was to be Kensington, the journey lasted for
longer than it should. Latimer also produced a bludgeon, with
the implicit threat of violence.
Latimer would tell Mr Meles that he would be rewarded for
his services, but also demanded future silence from the
interpreter.

The blacked-out cab would eventually, after a couple of

hours, pull up at a large, expensively decorated house.

At the house, Mr Meles encounters a second man, Wilson

Kemp, and soon there is more evidence about just how
irregular this interpreting job was going to be. A third man
was brought into the presence of the Greek interpreter, but
initially, the mouth of this man was covered in sticking
plaster.
Mr Meles was asked to ask the anonymous man certain
questions, but as Mr Meles realised that Latimer and Kemp
were both ignorant of the Greek language, the interpreter
managed to interpose his own questions as well.
From his own questions Mr Meles discovered that the captive
man was named Paul Kratides, a Greek man who Latimer and
Kemp were trying to make sign some papers. Paul Kratides
had been in England for three weeks, but had no idea where
he currently was.
At that moment the questioning was interrupted when a
woman entered the room. This woman immediately called out
to Kratides, calling him by his first name. Paul Kratides then
ripped off his mouth guard, and called the woman Sophy.
Paul and Sophy were quickly separated, and then Mr Meles
was ushered from house into the blacked-out cab again.
Another long drive ensued, but rather than being returned
home, Mr Meles was dropped off on Wandsworth Common.
The Greek interpreter didn’t dawdle though, and immediately
went to gain the advice of Mycroft Holmes.
Advertisements had been placed in the papers, the ads asking
for information about a Greek lady staying in England, or a
man named Paul Katrides.
The problem was now placed before Sherlock Holmes, and
the detective sends off a few telegrams, but it is Mycroft who
brings the next development, for he has had an answer to the
placed newspaper notices. A Mr Davenport says that Sophy is
staying at a house known as the Myrtles in Beckenham.
With some urgency, plans are made to go to Beckenham, and
it is decided to get Inspector Gregson to join them. It is also
thought a good idea to collect Mr Meles, in case a Greek
interpreter is required.

When the party arrive at the Meles residence though, they find
that the Greek interpreter has already been picked up by a cab;
something that doesn’t bode well for the safety of the
interpreter.

When the party of the Holmes brothers, Watson and Gregson

arrive at the Myrtles it appears that the house has been
abandoned; evidence shows the departure of heavily laden
coach.
The house though, is not as quiet as empty as it appears, as
breaking through a locked door, the party find Paul Kratides
and Mr Meles; both men have been gassed with charcoal
fumes. The rescue proves too late for Paul Kratides, but the
attention of Dr Watson sees Mr Meles saved.

The rescue has also come to late to arrest Latimer and Kemp,
or rescue Sophy.

The gaps in Sherlock Holmes’ knowledge of the case are soon

filled in.
Friends had warned Paul Kratides about the influence that
Latimer was exerting over Sophy, and the brother had
travelled to England from Greece to rectify that situation. Paul
Kratides had though become a prisoner of Latimer, and the
latter had tried to make the former sign over Sophy’s
property; of course, Paul Kratides had refused to do so,
ultimately leading to his own death.
There is a footnote to the adventure for news arrives of the
death of two Englishmen, Latimer and Kemp, in Hungary. It
appears that the two have killed each other during a fight; but
Sherlock Holmes has a strong inkling that the deaths of the
two men have been caused by Sophy; the sister getting her
revenge.