【英文原著类】THE CASE OF THE LAMP THAT WENT OUT(熄了的灯).pdf

THE CASE OF THE LAMP THAT WENT OUT
THE CASE OF THE
LAMP THAT WENT OUT
by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner
1
THE CASE OF THE LAMP THAT WENT OUT
INTRODUCTION TO JOE
MULLER
Joseph Muller, Secret Service detective of the Imperial Austrian police,
is one of the great experts in his profession. In personality he differs
greatly from other famous detectives. He has neither the impressive
authority of Sherlock Holmes, nor the keen brilliancy of Monsieur Lecoq.
Muller is a small, slight, plain-looking man, of indefinite age, and of much
humbleness of mien. A naturally retiring, modest disposition, and two
external causes are the reasons for Muller's humbleness of manner, which
is his chief characteristic. One cause is the fact that in early youth a
miscarriage of justice gave him several years in prison, an experience
which cast a stigma on his name and which made it impossible for him,
for many years after, to obtain honest employment. But the world is
richer, and safer, by Muller's early misfortune. For it was this experience
which threw him back on his own peculiar talents for a livelihood, and
drove him into the police force. Had he been able to enter any other
profession, his genius might have been stunted to a mere pastime, instead
of being, as now, utilised for the public good.
Then, the red tape and bureaucratic etiquette which attaches to every
governmental department, puts the secret service men of the Imperial
police on a par with the lower ranks of the subordinates. Muller's official
rank is scarcely much higher than that of a policeman, although kings and
councillors consult him and the Police Department realises to the full what
a treasure it has in him. But official red tape, and his early misfortune ...
prevent the giving of any higher official standing to even such a genius.
Born and bred to such conditions, Muller understands them, and his
natural modesty of disposition asks for no outward honours, asks for
not