Sherlock Holmes and the Greek Interpreter.

I chose to blog on this story becuase it seemed different from the other Holmes stories that I've read.

Mainly in the form that the deductions of Holmes aren't the focus of how the story is solved.

Anyways, Mycroft is introduced in this story as the older brother with the much more acute observation skills. However, not much of him is mentioned... he is apprarently a recluse and doesn't actively engage in detective work, which is contrary to the image that is presented of him in the other book I read, the Italian Secretary.

There is evidence again of Sherlock and Mycroft's amazing deducing skills in the beginning of the story which is reminiscent of Sherlock and Watson's introduction in the study of scarlet.

HERE IS THE PASSAGE EXCERPT...

" The two men had stopped opposite the window. Some chalk
marks over the waistcoat pocket were the only signs of billiards
which I could see in one of them. The other was a very small,
dark fellow, with his hat pushed back and several packages
under his arm.
"An old soldier, I perceive," said Sherlock.
"And very recently discharged," remarked the brother.
"Served in India, I see."
"And a non-commissioned officer."
"Royal Artillery, I fancy,'' said Sherlock.
"And a widower."
"But with a child."
"Children, my dear boy, children."
"Come," said I. laughing, "this is a little too much."
"Surely." answered Holmes, "it is not hard to say that a man
with that bearing. expression of authority, and sun-baked skin. is
a soldier, is more than a private, and is not long from India."
"That he has not left the service long is shown by his still
wearing his ammunition boots, as they are called," observed
Mycroft.
"He had not the cavalry stride, yet he wore his hat on one
side, as is shown by the lighter skin on that side of his brow. His
weight is against his being a sapper. He is in the artillery."
"Then, of course, his complete mourning shows that he has
lost someone very dear. The fact that he is doing his own
shopping looks as though it were his wife. He has been buying
things for children, you perceive. There is a rattle, which shows
that one of them is very young. The wife probably died in
childbed. The fact that he has a picture-book under his arm
shows that there is another child to be thought of."


Though we ourselves cannot make these observations since we cannot see them. And from the description that Watson provides, it is impossible for us to make these deductions. However, like always they seem reasonable.

However, that is the end of the deductions by Holmes basically... the solution to the story is essentially done by Watson indicating that it is a simple case.. .and simple it is since there are no further deductions, only following, action and saving people/letting them run away.

I didn't enjoy reading this one as much since everything was obvious and there was not as much suspense.

... It seemed like just a regular crime/police story becuase despite the seemingly strange cirucumstances the solution was rather ordinary.