Latest / Classic Adventure Books Library / A Scandal in Bohemia - Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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- A scandal in Bohemia, Sections one through three. Section one, to Sherlock Holmes, she is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name. In her eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that one particularly were abhorrent to his cold, precise, but admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen. But as a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never spoke of the softer passions, save with the gibe and a sneer. They were admirable things for the observer, excellent for drawing the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which might throw a doubt on all his mental results. Grit in a sensitive instrument or a crack in one of his own high power lenses would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a nature such as his, And yet there was but one woman to him, and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable memory. I have seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us away from each other. My own complete happiness and the home centered interests which up around the man who first finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to absorb all my attentions. While Holmes, who loosed every form of society with his whole bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and altering from weak tweak between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the drug and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in following out these clues and clearing up those mysteries which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time to time I heard some vague account of his doings, of his summons to Odessa in the case of the trip Off murder, of his clearing up of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Tricomalae, and finally, of the mission which he had accomplished so delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely shared with all the readers of the Daily Press, I knew little of my former friend and companion. One night, it was on the twentieth of March eighteen eighty eight, I was returning from a journey to a patient, for I had now returned to civil practice. When my way led me through Baker Street. As I passed the well remembered door, which must all ways be associated in my mind with my woeing and with the dark incidents of the Stoty Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes again and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and even as I looked up, I saw his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who knew his every mood, and habit. His attitude and manner told their own story. He was at work again, he had risen out of his drug created dreams, and was hot upon the scent of some new problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which had formerly been in part my own. His manner was not effusive, it seldom was, but he was glad I think to see me, with hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly eye. He waved me an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and indicated a spirit case and a guess a gene in the corner. Then he stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular introspective fashion. Wedlock suits you, He remarked, I think, Watson, that you have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you seven. I answered, indeed, I should have thought a little more, just a trifle more. I fancy Watson, And in practice again I observed. You did not tell me that you intended to go into harness. Then how do you know I see it? I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting yourself very wet lately and that you have a most clumsy and careless servant girl. My dear Holmes, said I, this is too much. You would certainly have been burned had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful mess. But as I have changed my clothes, I can't imagine how you deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incourrigible, and my wife has given her notice. But there again I felt to see how you work it out. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands together. It is simplicity itself, said he. My eyes tell me that on the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the leather is scourged by six almost cuts. Obviously they have been caused by someone who has very careless scraped around the edges of the souls in order to remove crusted mud from it. Hence, you see my double deduction that you have been out in vile weather, and that you have a particularly malignant boot slitting specimen of the London slave. As to your practice, if a gentleman walks into my room smelling of iodorn, with a black mark of nitrate of silver, upon his right forefinger, and a budge on the right side of his top hat to show where he has secreted his stethoscope. I must be dull. Indeed, if I did not pronounce him to be an active member of the medical profession, I could not help laughing at the e with which he examined his process of deduction. When I hear you give your reasons, I remarked, the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple that I could easily do it myself. Though at each successive instance of your reasoning, I am baffled until you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as yours. Quite so, he answered, lighting a cigarette and throwing himself down into an armchair. You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is here. For example, you have frequently seen the steps which lead up from the hall to this room. Frequently how often, well, some hundreds of times. Then how many are there? How many? I don't know. Quite so you have not observed, and yet you have seen. That is just my point. Now I know that there are seventeen steps, because I have both seen and observed by the way, Since you are interested in these little problems, and since you have been good enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you may be interested in this. He threw over a sheet of thick, pink tinted notepaper which had been lying upon the table. It came by the last post, said. He read it aloud. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. There will call upon you tonight at a quarter to eight o'clock, it said, a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you will have from all quarters received, But in it your chamber then at that hour, and do not take it amiss if your visitor wears a mask. This is indeed a mystery, I remarked, What do you imagine that it means? I have no data? Yet? It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts, But the note itself, What do you deduce from it? I certainly examine the writing and the paper upon which it was written. The man who wrote it was presumably well to do, I remarked, endeavoring to imitate my companion's process. Such paper could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly strong and stiff. Peculiar, that is the very word, said Holmes. It is not an English paper at all. Hold it up to the light. I did sew and saw a large E with a small G, a P and a large G with the small T woven into the texture of the paper. What do you make of that? Asked Holmes. The name of the maker, no doubt, or his monogram, rather not at all. The G with the small T stands for Gesselchaft, which is German for company. It is a customary contraction like our co. P, of course stands for paper. Now for the EG, let us glance at our continual gazetteer. He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves Eglos. Here we are Igoria. It is in a German speaking country in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad, remarkably as being the scene of the death of Waenstein, and for its numerous glass factories and paper mills. Ha ha, my boy, what do you make of that? His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. The paper was made in Bohemia, I said, precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you know the particular contraction of the sentence? This account of you we have from all quarters received. A Frenchman or Russian could not have written that. It is the German who is so uncounterrous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts. As he spoke, there's the sharp sound of horses hoofs, and the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bell. Holmes whistled a pair by the sound, said he yes, He continued, glancing out of the window. A nice little bragman and a pair of beauties, A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in this case, Watson. If there is nothing else, I think that I had better go, Holmes, not a bit, doctor, stay where you are. I am lost without my boswell, and that promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to miss it. But your client never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he comes, Sit down in that armchair, doctor, and give us your best attention. A slow and heavy step which had been heard upon the stairs and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there was a loud and authoritative step come in, said Holmes. A man entered, who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height, with the chest and limbers of a Hercules. His dress was rich with a richness which would in England be looked upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrachan were slashed across the sleeves and fronts of his double breasted coat, while the deep blue coat which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with flame colored silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which consisted of a single flaming barrel. Boots which extended halfway up his calls, and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence, which was suggested by the whole appearance. He carried a broad brimmed hat in his hand while he wore across the upper part of his face, extending down the past the cheekbones, a black vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered from the lower part of the face. He appeared to be a man of strong character, with a thick, hanging lip and a long, straight chin, suggestive of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. You had my note, he asked, with a deep, harsh voice and a strongly marked German accent. I told you that I would call. He looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to address. Pray, take a seat, said Holmes. This is my friend and calling doctor Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in my tases, whom have I the honor to address. You may address me as Count von Cram, a Bohemian nobleman. I understand that this gentleman, your friend is a man of honor and discretion whom I may trust with a matter of the most extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate with you alone. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me back into my chair. It is both or none, said he. You may see before this, gentleman, anything which you may say to me. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. Then I must begin, said he, by finding you both through absolute secrecy for two years. At the end of that time, the matter will be of no importance at present. It is too much to say that it is of such weight it may have an influence upon European history, I promise, said Holmes. And I you may excuse this mask, counted our strange visitor. The august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you. And I may confess at once that the title by which I have just called myself is not exactly my own. I was aware of it, said Holmes dryly. The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense scandal. And seriously compromise one of the ranging families of Europe to speak plainly, the matter implicates the Great House of Armstein, hereditary Kings of Bohemia. I was also aware of that, murmured Holmes, setting himself down in his armchair, closing his eyes. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the leugid, longing figure of the man who had been, no doubt depicted to him as the most insensitive reasoner, a most energetic agent in Europe. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his gigantic client. If your Majesty would condescend to state your case, he remarked, I should be better able to advise you. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. You are right, he cried, I am the king. Why should I attempt to conceal it? Why? Indeed, murmured Holmes, your Majesty had not spoken before I was aware that I was addressing William Gotstrich Sigmund van Armstrong, Grand Duke of castel Flatsine and hereditary king of Bohemia. But you can understand, said our strange visitor, sitting down once more, and passing his hand over his high white forehead. You can understand that I I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own person, that I could not confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have come incognito from Pragou, from the purpose of consulting you. Then pray consult said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. The facts are briefly these. Some five years ago, during a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well known adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you. Kindly look her up in my index, doctor murmured Holmes, without opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of docking all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not at once furnish information. In this case, I found her biography sandwiched in between that of Hebrew rabbi and that of staff commander, who had written a monograph upon the deep sea fishes. Let me see, said Holmes hum born in New Jersey in the year in eighteen fifty eight Contrito hum Let's Calm Prima Donna, Imperial Opera of Warsaw Yes retired from the operatic stage. Ha living in London. Quite so, your Majesty, as I understand, become entangled with this young person, wrote her some comprising letters and is now desirous of getting these letters back pcisely so. But how was there a secret marriage? None? No legal papers or certificates. None. Then I failed to follow your majesty. If this young person should produce her letters from blackmailing or other purposes, how is she to prove their authenticity? There is writing po pooh forgery, my private notepaper, stolen, my own seal, imitated my photograph, but we were both in the photograph. Oh dear, that is very bad. Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion. I was mad, insane. You have compromised yourself. Seriously. I was only Crown Prince then, I was young. I am but thirty now it must be recovered. We have tried and failed. Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought. She will not sell stolen. Then five attempts have been made, twice burglars in my pay, ransacked or house. Once we diverted her luggage when she traveled twice she had been waylaid. There has been no result, no sign of it, absolutely none. Holmes laughed. It is quite a pretty little problem, said he, but a very serious one to me, returned the king reproachfully, very indeed, what does she propose to do with the photograph to ruin me? But how I am about to be married? So I have heard to Claudia Loorman Vuln Saxe Monteguem, second daughter of the King of Scandinavia. You may know that strict principles of her family, she is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end. And Irene Attler threatens to send him a photograph, and she will do it. I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a sore of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of woman and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not go none. You are sure that she has not sent it yet. I am sure, and why because she has said that she would send it on the day when the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That would be next Monday. Oh, then we have three days yet, said Holmes with yawn. That is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to look into just at present. Your majesty will of course stay in London for the present. Certainly you will find me at the long Ram under the name of the Count van Kram. Then I shall drop you a line to let you know. Oh we progress, pray do so I shall be all anxiety. Then, as too many you have carte blanche. Absolutely, I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to have that photograph, and for the present expenses. The King took a heavy chambos leather bag from under his cloak and laid it on the table. There are three hundred pounds in a gold and seven hundred in notes, he said. Holmes gribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his notebook and handed it to him and mademoiselle's address, He asked, is Browney lodge saw pritimee Avenue, Saint John's Wood. Holmes took a note of it. What other question said? He was the photograph a cabinet. It was then good night, your majesty, and I trust that we shall soon have some good news for you. And good night Watson, he added, as the wheels of the Royal Brogham rolled down the street. If you will be good enough to call tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, I should like to chat this little matter over with you. End of Section one, Section two. At three o'clock precisely, I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his inquiry, for though it was surrounded by none of the grim and strange feet which were associated with the two crimes which I have already recorded, still the nature of the case and the exaltant station of his client gave it a character of its own. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation, which my friend had on hand. There was something in his masterly grasp of a situation and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a pleasure to me to study his system of work and to follow the quick, subtle methods by which he distinguished the most inextractable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable success, that the very possibility of his felling had ceased to enter into my head. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a drunken looking groom, ill kept and sighed, whiskered, with an inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it was indeed he. With a nod, he vanished into the bedroom. Whence he emerged in five minutes, two suited and respectable as of old. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in front of the fire, and laughing heartily for some minutes. Well really, he cried, and then he choked and laughed again, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless in the chair. What is it? It's why too funny? I am sure you could never guess how I employed my morning or what I ended by doing. I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the habits, and perhaps the house of Miss Irene Adler quite so, but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this morning in the character of a groom out of walk. There is a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. But one of them and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found brought me launch. It is a Bazieu villa with a garden at the back, but built on it front right up to the road, two stories chub lock to the door, large city room on the right side, well furnished with long windows almost to the floor, and those prosperous English window fasteners which a child could open behind. There was nothing remarkable save the passage window could be reached from the top of the cook hill. I walked round it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without nothing anything else of interest. I then lodged down the street and found as I expected that there was a news in a lane which runs down by one wall of the garden. I went the ostler's hand in rubbing down their houses, and received in exchange two pence a glass of half and half, two fills of shagged tobacco, and as much information as I could desire about miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the neighborhood, in whom I was not in the least interested by, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to. And what of I rey Nadler, I asked, Oh, she has turned all the man's heads down in that part. She is the daintiest thing under a bonage on the planet, So say the suprenteine news to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven shop for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times except when she sings. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, handsome and dashing. Never calls less than once a day, and often twice. He is mister Godfrey Norton of the Inner Temple. See the advantages of a cabman as a confident. They have driven him home a dozen of times from Serpentine News and knew all about him. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I begun to walk up and down near Bryany Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of campaign. This goldfray nor In was evidently an important factor in the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded omunous. What was the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated visits. Was she his client friend or his mistress. If the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his keeping. If the later, it was less likely. On the issue of this question deepened whither I should continue my work at Briny Lodge or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it winded the field of my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to let you see my little difficulties if you are to understand the situation. I am following you closely, I answered. I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a handsome cab drove up to Briny Lodge and a gentleman sprang out. He was a remarkably handsome man, dark aquiline and mustached, evidently the man of whom I have heard. He appeared to be in a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the maid, who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly at home. He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting room, pacing up and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms of her. I could see nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than before. As he stepped up into the cab, he pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked at it earnestly. Drive like the devil, he shouted, first to Cross and Hungrees in Ragged Street, and then to the Church of Saint Monica in Edgar Road. Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do well to follow them, when up the lane came a neat little Landeau, the coachman, with his coat only half buttoned and his tie under his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but she was a lovely woman with a face that a man might die for the Church of Saint Monica, John, she cried, and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes. This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing whether I should run for it or whether I should perch behind her landeaux. When a cab came through the street. The driver looked twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could object. The Church of Saint Monica, said I, and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes. It was twenty five minutes to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster. But the others were there before us, the cab and the landew with their steaming horses, or in front of the door. When I arrived, I paid the man and hurried into the church. There was not a swire. There, save the two whom I had followed, and a surpliced clergyman who seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three standing in a nod in front of the altar. I longed up the side a stile, like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round me, and Gordfrey nor In came running as hard as he could toward me. Heck, he cried, you'll do Come? Come what? Then? I asked, come on, come, only three minutes or it won't be legal. I was half dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler Spinster to Godfrey nor In Bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the most preposterous possition in which I ever found in my life, and it was the thought of it that startled me into laughing. Just now seems that there had been some informality about the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance saved the bridegroom from having to sell me out into the street in search of the best man. The bride gave me a sovereign and I mean to weigh on my watch chain in memory of the occasion. That is a very unexpected turn of affairs, said I. And what then, well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessity very prompt and energetic mentures on my part. At the church door, however, they separated, he driving back to the temple, and she to her own house. I shall drive out into the pocket five as usual, she said, as she left him. I heard no more. They drove away in different directions, and I went off to make my own arrangements, which are some cold beef and a glass of beer, he answered, ringing the bell. I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to be booster still this evening. By the way, doctor, I shall want your co operation. I shall be delighted you don't mind breaking the law, not in the least, nor running a chance of arrest, not in a good cause. Oh, the case is excellent. Then I am your man. I was sure that I might rely on you. But what do you wish? When Miss Turner has brought in the tray? I will make it clear to you now, he said, as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that our landlady had provided. I must discuss it while I eat, for I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must be on the scene of action. Miss Irene or Madame rather returns from her drive at seven. We must be at bryany Vange to meet her. And what then? You leave that to me? I have already arranged what is to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must not interfere. Come, what may you understand? I am to be neutral, to do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards, the sitting room window will be open. You are to station yourself close to that open window. Yes, you ought to watch me, for I have been visible to you. Yes, I when I raise my hand, so you will throw into the room what I give you to throw, and will at the same time raise the cry of fire. You quite follow me entirely. It is nothing more formidable, he said, taking a long cigar shaped raw from his pocket. It is an ordinary plumber's smoke rocket, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self lighting. Your task is confined to that when you raise your cry of fire, and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear. I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and at your signal to throw this object, then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street precisely. Then you may entirely rely on me. That is excellent. I think perhaps it is almost time that I prepare for the new role I have to play. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the character of an amiable and simple minded non conformist and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity were such as mister John Hare alone could have equalled. It is not merely that Holmes changed his costume, his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary every fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner when he became a specialist in crime. It was a quarta past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the laps were just being lightened as we paced up and down in front of Briny Lodge, waiting the coming of its occupant. The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes's securent description, but the locally appeared to be less private than I expected. On the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighborhood, it was remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors grinder with his will, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse girl, and several well dressed young men who were laughing up and down with cigars in their mouths. You see, remarked Holmes, as we passed to and fro in front of the house. This marriage rather simplifies matters. The photograph becomes a double edged web. And now the chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by mister Godfrey Norton as our client is to coming to the eyes of his princess. Now the question is where are we to find the photograph where? Indeed, it is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is cabinet sized, too large for easy concealment about a woman's dress. She knows that the king is capable of having her waylaid and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her. Where then her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she have it over to any one else. She could trust her own guardsmanship, But she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house. But it has twice been burgled, sair. They did not know how to look. But how will you look? I will not look what? Then? I will get her to show me, But she will refuse. She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wills. It is her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter. As he spoke, the gleam of the side lights of a carriage came round the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little lambueu, which rattled up to the door of Brimy Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the loafing's men at that corner dashed forward to open the door in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another loafer who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two godsmen, who took sides with one of the longers, and by the scissors grinder, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the center of a little knot of flourished and struggling men whose drek savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady, but just as he reached her, he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood running freely down his face. At his fall, the guardsmen took their heels in one direction and the longers in the other, while a number of better dressed people who had watched the suffice without taking paw in it, crowded in to help the lady and to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had hurried up the steps, but she stood at the top with her superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking back into the street. Is the poor gentleman much hurt? He asked? He is dead? Cried several voices. No, no, there's life in him, shouted another. But he'll be gone before you can get him to hospital. Here's a brave fellow, said a woman. They would have got the lady's person watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a gang, and a rough one too. Ah, he's breathing now. He can't lie here in the streets. May we bring him in, marm surely bring him into the sitting room. There's a comfortable sofa. This way, please, slowly and solemnly. He was born into the primary lodge and laid into the principal room while I still observed the proceedings from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the blinds had been drawn so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing. But I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had entrusted to me. I hardened my heart and took the smoke rocket from under my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are but preventing her from injuring another. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him mention like a man who is in need of air. A maid rushed across the thrave opened the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand, and at the signal, I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of fire. The word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well dressed and ill, gentlemen, oysters and servant maids, joined in the general shriek of fire. Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out those open windows. I caught a glimpse of rushing fingers, and a moment later the voice of Holmes from within, assuring them that it was a false alarm. Slipping through the shouting crowd, I made my way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend's arm in mine. And to get away from the scene of uproar. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes, until we had turned down on one of the quiet streets which led towards the Edguar road. You did it very nicely, doctor, he remarked, Nothing could have been better. It is all right. You have the photograph. I know where it is. And how did you find out? She showed me as I told you she would. I am still in the dark. I do wish to make a mystery, said he, laughing. The matter was perfectly simple. You are, of course, saw that everyone in the street was not accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening. I guessed as much. Then when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick that also I could fathom. Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in what else could she do, and into her sitting room, which was the very room which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was determined to see which they laid me on a couch. I motioned for air. They were compelled to open the window, and you had your chance. How did that help you? It was all important. When a woman thinks that her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby, an unmarried one reaches for her jewelry box. Now it was clear to me that our lady of today had nothing in the house more precious to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. The alarm of the fire was admiringly done. The smoke and shouting were enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The photograph is in a recuse behind a slighting panel just above the right bell pole. She was there in an instant, and I caught a glimpse of it as she half drew it out. When I cried out that it was a false alarm, she replaced it glancing at the rocket, rushed from the room, and I have not seen her since I rose, and, making my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated to attempt to secure the photograph at once, but the coachman had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly, it seemed safer to wait a little over. Precipitates may ruin all. And now I asked, our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King tomorrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be showed into the sitting room to wait for the lady. But it is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain it with his own hands. And when will you call? At eight in the morning, She will both be up, so that we shall have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the King without delay. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was searching his pockets for the key, when someone passing said good night, mister Sherlock Holmes. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by. I've heard that voice before, said Holmes, starting down the dimly street. No, I wonder who the deuce that could have been? And of section two section three. I slept at Baker Street that night and we were engaged upon our toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed into the room. You have really got it, he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by either shoulder or looking eagerly into his face. Not yet, but you have hopes. I have hopes. Then come, I am all impatience to be gone. We must have a cab. No, my Brogham is waiting. Then that will simplify matters. We descended and started off at once more for Brombay Lodge. Ireen Adler is married, remarked Holmes, married when yesterday, but to whom to an English lawyer named Norton. But she could not love him. I am in hopes that she does. And why in hopes because it would spare your majesty all fear of future annoyance if the lady loves her husband, she does not love your majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, then there is no reason why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan. It is true, and yet well, I wish she had been of my own station. What a queen she would have made. He relapsed into a mood silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Serpentine Avenue. The door of primary Lodge was opened, and an elderly woman stood up the steps. She watched us with a chardonic eye as we stepped from the brogham. Mister Schackholmes, I believe, said she I am. Mister Holmes, answered my companion, looking at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze. Indeed, my mistress told me that you were likely to call. She left this morning with her husband by the five point fifteen train from Charington Cross from the for the Continent. What Shockholms staggered back with the charge in a swerprise. Do you mean that she has left England? Never to return? And the papers asked the king hoarsely, all is lost? We shall see. He pushed past the servant and rushed into the drawing room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was scattered about in every direction, with the dismantled shelves and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight. Holmes rushed at the bellpool, tore back a small sliding shutter, and plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler herself in evening dress. The letter was superseded to Sherlock Holmes e s Q. To be left till called for my friend tore it open and we all three read together. It was dated midnight of the preceding night, and ran in this way. Mighty mister Sheila Holmbs, you really did it well. You took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion. But then when I found how I had betrayed myself, I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I'd been told that if the King employed an ancient, it would certainly be you, and your adread had been given me. Yet with all this, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became suspicious. I found it to think evil of such a dear, kind old clergyman. But you know I have been trained as an actress myself. Now costoon is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to watch you, ran upstairs, got into my walking clothes, as I called them, and came down just as you departed. Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was really an object of interest to the celebrated mister Schrlocolm's. Then I rather imprudently wished you good night and started for the temple to see my husband. We thought the best resource was flight when we pursued by so formidable an antagonists. So you will find the nest empty when you call tomorrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself and to preserve a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to possess, and I remain dear mister Sherlock Holmes, very truly yours Irene Norton nee Adler. What a woman, Oh, what a woman, cried the King of Bohemia, when we had all three read this epistle? Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level? From what I have seen of the lady, she seems indeed to be on a very different level to you, Majesty, said Holmes coldly. I am sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business to a more successful conclusion. On the contrary, my dear sir, cried the King, nothing could be more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire. I am glad to hear your Majesty say so. I am immensely inbetted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward you this ring? He slipped an emerald snake ringed from his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Your Majesty has something which I should value even more highly, said Holmes, you have but to name it the photograph. The King stared at him in amazement. Irene's photograph. He cried, certainly, if you wish it, I thank your majesty, then there is no more to be done in the matter. I have the honor to wish you very good morning. He bowed and turned away, without observing the hand which the King had stretched out to him. He set off in my company for his chambers. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the Kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of mister Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make Mary over the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late, And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honorable title of the woman.