The Adventures of Sherlock, Holmes, a collection of short
stories by Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle All LibriVox
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dotnet. The Adventures of Sherlock
Holmes a scandal in Bohemia. To Sherlock Holmes.
She is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention
her under any other name in his 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 a gibe and a sneer.
They were Admiral 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 upon 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'd seen little of Holmes
lately. My marriage had drifted us away
from each other. My own complete happiness and
the home centered interests. Rise up around the man who first
finds himself master of his own establishment were sufficient to
absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed, every form
of society, with his whole Bohemian Soul remained in our
lodgings in Baker Street, buried among his old books and
alternating from week to week, between cocaine and ambition,
the drowsiness of the drug and the fierce energy of his own
Keen nature. He was still as ever deeply.
Deeply attracted by the study of crime and occupied, his immense
faculties and extraordinary powers of observation.
In following out, those Clues and clearing up those Mysteries,
which have 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 trincomalee 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 Then companion one night.
It was on the twentieth of March 1888.
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
always be associated in my mind with my wooing and with the dark
incidents of the study in Scarlet.
I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes again and You
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 of 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
to an armchair threw across his case of cigars and indicated, a
spirit case, and a gasogene in the corner, when 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 I fancy Watson and in
practice again, I observe 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 a 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've changed my clothes,
I can't imagine how you deduce it as to Mary Jane.
She is incorrigible. And my wife has given her
notice, but there again, I fail 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 scored by six
almost parallel Cuts. Obviously, they have been caused
by someone who's very carelessly, scraped, around the
edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it.
Hence. You see my double deduction that
you had been out in Vile. A weather.
And that you had a particularly malignant boot slitting specimen
of the London slavey as to your practice.
If a gentleman walks into my room's, smelling of iodoform,
with a black mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger
and a bulge on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has
secreted his stethoscope. I must be dull.
Indeed. If I do not pronounce him, to be
an active member of the medical profession.
I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his
process of deduction. When I hear you, give your
reasons. I remarked the thing always
appears to me. 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? You do not.
Observe. The distinction is clear.
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 seven. Teen steps because I have both
seen and observed by the way, since you are interested in
these little problems. And since you are 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 have 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 8:00. 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, we have
from all quarters received be in your chamber, then at that hour
and do not take it amiss. If your visitor, 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 carefully examined the writing and the paper upon which it was
written. The man who wrote it was.
Presumably well-to-do. I remarked and evering to
imitate my companions processes. Such paper could not be bought
under half a crown of 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. So and saw a large e with a
small G. And a large G with a 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 a small T
stands for gazelle shaft, which is the German for company.
It is a customary contraction, like our Co P, of course, stands
for papier. Now, for the EG, let us glance
at our Continental gazetteer. He took down a heavy brown
volume from his shelves. Aglow eglon.
It's here. We are egg Korea.
It is in a german-speaking country in Bohemia.
Not far from Carl's but Remarkable as being the scene of
the death of Valentine and for its numerous glass factories and
paper mills. Aha.
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,',
said precisely and the man who wrote the note is a German.
Do you note The Peculiar construction 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 uncourteous to his verbs, it
only remains therefore to discover.
What is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper
and Refers wearing a mask to showing his face and he comes if
I'm not mistaken to resolve all our doubts.
As he spoke, there was the sharp sound of horses hooves and
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 and nice little broth.
Mm and a pair of beauties. 150 guineas apiece as money.
In this case Watson, if there's nothing else, I think that I
better go Holmes, not a Bit, doctor, stay, where you are.
I'm lost without my Boswell and this promises to be interesting.
It will 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.
Tap, come in said, Holmes, a man entered who could hardly have
been less than six feet, six inches in height with the chest
and limbs 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 astrakhan were slashed across the sleeves
and fronts of his double-breasted coat while the
deep blue cloak, which was thrown over his It was lined
with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a
brooch, which consists of a single flaming Beryl boots which
extended halfway up his calves and which were trimmed at the
tops with Rich brown, fur completed the impression of
barbaric opulence, which was suggested by his whole
appearance. He carried a broad-brimmed hat
in his hand. While he wore across the upper
part of his face. Extending down past the
cheekbones, a black vizard. Hard 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 colleague. Dr. Watson, who is occasionally?
Good enough to help me in my cases.
Whom have I the honor to address?
You may address me as Is the count, Von kramm a Bohemian and
nobleman? I understand that this gentleman
your friend is a man of honour and discretion whom I may trust
with a matter of 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 are non said he you
may say before this gentleman anything which you may say to
me. The count Shrugged, his broad
shoulders. Then I must begin said, he by
binding you both to Absolute secrecy for two years at the end
of that time. The matter will be of no
importance at present. It is not 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
will excuse this mask continued, 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. Casey and every precaution has
to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Scandal,
and seriously compromise, one of the reigning families of Europe
to speak plainly the matter, implicates the great House of
ormstein hereditary Kings of Bohemia.
I was also aware of that murmured Holmes settling himself
down in his armchair and closing his eyes, our visitor glanced
with some apparent surprise at the languid, lounging figure of
the man who had been no doubt depicted to him as the most
incisive Reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe,
Holmes slowly reopened, his eyes and looked impatiently at his
gigantic client. If your majesty would condescend
to Teach 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 Zach 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 Wilhelm, gottsreich. Sigismond Von.
Ormstein Grand Duke. Of cassel-felstein 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 am not accustomed to doing such business in my own person.
He had, Zamata was so delicate that I could not confide it to,
to an agent without putting myself in his power.
I have come Incognito from Prague. ugh for 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 moment Holmes without
opening his eyes. For many years.
He had adopted a system of docketing, 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 a Hebrew
Rabbi and that of a staff commander who had written a
monograph upon the deep-sea fishes.
Let me see said Holmes, um, born in New Jersey in the year 1858
contralto. Hmm.
La Scala, hmm, prima donna Imperial Opera of Warsaw.
Yes retired from operatic stage, ha living in London quite so
your majesty, as I understand became entangled with this young
person wrote her some compromising letters and is now
desirous of getting those letters back precisely.
So but how was there a secret marriage?
None? No legal papers or certificates?
None, then I fail to follow your majesty.
If this young person should produce her letters for
blackmailing or other purposes. How is she to prove their
authenticity? There is the writing poor
forgery, my private notepaper stolen, my own seal imitated, my
photograph bought, 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 her house. Once we diverted her luggage
when she travelled twice. She has 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. And 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 clotilde
lothman. 11 sacks. Meaning and second daughter of
the king of Scandinavia. You may know the 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 Adler threatens to send them the
photograph and she will do it. I know that she will do it.
You do not know her but she has a Soul of Steel.
She has the face of the Most beautiful of women 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 will be next Monday.
Oh, then we I have three days yet said Holmes with a yawn.
That's a 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 Langham under the name of
the count Von kramm. Then I shall drop you a line to
let you know how we progress pay do.
So I shall be all anxiety. Then as to money, 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 present expenses, the
king took a heavy Chamois leather bag from under his cloak
and laid it on the table. There are 300 pounds in the gold
and 700 in notes. He said Holmes scribbled a
receipt upon a sheet of his notebook and handed it to him
and mademoiselle's address. He asked is briony Lodge
Serpentine Avenue st. John's Wood Holmes took a note
of it. One other question said he was
the photograph a cabinet. It was Goodnight, your majesty
and I trust that we shall soon have some good news for you.
And goodnight, Watson. He added as the wheels of the
royal Brougham rolled down the street.
If you'll be good enough to call tomorrow afternoon at 3:00.
I should like to chat this little matter over with you.
Two. At 3 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 8:00 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 features
which were associated with the two crimes, which I had already
recorded. Still the nature of the case and
the exalted station of his client gave it a character of
his 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 disentangled
the most inextricable Mysteries so accustomed Was I to his
invariable success that the very possibility of his failing had
ceased to enter into my head. It was close upon four before
the door opened, and a drunken looking groom, ill-kempt and
side. Whiskered with an inflamed face
and disreputable clothes walked into the room accustomed.
As I was to my friends, 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 5 minutes Tweed suited and
respectable as of old, putting his hands into his pockets.
He stretched out his legs in front of the fire and laughed
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 quite 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've 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 8:00 this morning in the character of
a groom, out of work. There is a wonderful sympathy
and Freemasonry among horsey. Men be one of them and you will
know all that. There is to know I soon found
briony Lodge tis, a Bijou Villa, with a garden at the back, but
built out in front right up to the road to stories.
Chub, lock to the door, large sitting room on the right side.
Well, furnished with long Windows almost to the floor and
those Preposterous English window Fasteners, which are
Could open behind there was nothing remarkable save that the
passage window could be reached from the top of the Coach House.
I walked round it and examined it closely from every point of
view. But without noting, anything
else of Interest, I then lounged down the street and found as I
expected that there was a muse in a lane which runs down by one
wall of the Garden Island. The ostlers a hand in rubbing
down their horses and received in exchange.
J'onn, twopence, a glass of half and half two fills of shag
tobacco. And as much information, as I
could desire about, Miss Adler to say nothing of half a dozen.
Other people in The Neighbourhood in whom I was not
the least interested but whose biographies I was compelled to
listen to and what have Irene Adler?
I asked. Oh she has turned all the men's
heads down in that part. She is the daintiest thing under
a bonnet on this planet. So say the serpentine-mews, Muse
to a man. She lives quietly.
Sings at concerts, drives out at five every day and returns at
seven sharp 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 a mr. Godfrey Norton of the inner
Temple. See, the advantages of a cabman
as a confidant. They had driven him home a dozen
times from serpentine-mews and knew all about him.
When I had listened to all, they had to tell, I began to walk up
and down near briony Lodge once more.
And to think over my plan of campaign.
This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in
the matter. He was a lawyer that sounded
ominous. What was the relation between
them and what the object of his repeated visits?
Was? She his client, his friend or
his mistress. If the former she had probably
transferred the photograph to his keeping.
If the latter it was less likely on the issue of this question
depended. Whether I should continue my
work at briony lodge or turn my attention to the gentleman's
Chambers in the temple. It was a delicate point and it
widened the field of my inquiry. I feel 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'm following you closely. I answered.
I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab
drove up to briony Lodge and a Gentleman sprang out.
He was a remarkably handsome man dark, aquiline and moustached,
evidently the man of whom I had heard.
He appeared to be in a great hurry shouted.
To the cabin 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 to the cab.
He pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked at it
earnestly. Drive like the devil.
He shouted first across & hankey's in Regent Street, and
then to the Church of st. Monica in the edgeware road,
half a guinea, if you do it in 20 minutes.
The way they went and I was just wondering whether I should not
do well to follow them when up the lane came and neat little
Landau, The Coachman with his coat only half-buttoned and his
tie under his ear. While all the tags of his
harness was 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 st.
Monica John, she cried. And half a sovereign.
If you reach it in 20 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 Landau.
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 st. Monica said, I and harvest
Sovereign, if you reach it in twenty minutes.
It was 11:35. 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 Landau with
their steaming horses were in front of the door.
When I arrived. I paid the man and hurried into
the church. There was not a soul there, save
the two, whom I had followed, and a surplused clergyman who
seemed to be expostulating with them.
They were all three standing in a knot in front of the altar.
I lounged up the side aisle, like any other idler who has
dropped into a church suddenly to my surprise, the three at the
altar faced round to me. And Godfrey, Norton came running
as hard as he could towards me. Thank God.
He cried, you'll do come. Come.
What then I asked come man, come only 3 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, Norton 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
position in which I have ever found myself in my life and it
was the thought of it. That started me laughing.
Just now. It seems that there had been
some informality about their 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 Sally out into the streets in
search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign,
and I mean to wear it on my Watch chain in memory of the
occasion. This is a very unexpected turn
of Affairs. Said, I and what then?
Well, I found my plans were seriously menaced.
It looked as if the pair might take an immediate departure and
so necessitate. Very prompt and energetic
measures 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 in the park at
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 the glass of beer.
He answered ringing the bell. I have been too busy to think of
food and I am likely to be busier, still this evening.
By the way doctor. I shall want your cooperation.
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 cause is excellent.
Then I'm your man. I was sure that I might rely on
you. But what is it?
You wish? When mrs.
Turner has, brought in the tray, I'll 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
7:00. We must be at briony lodge to
meet her. And what then you must 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 open.
You are too. Station yourself close to that
open window. Yes, you are to watch me for.
I will be visible to you. Yes, and 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. Very formidable.
He said taking a long cigar-shaped roll from his
pocket. It is an ordinary plumbers
smoke-rocket. Crockett 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.
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 10 minutes. I hope that I have made myself.
Clear. I'm to remain neutral to get
near the window to watch you and at the signal to throw in 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. Nonconformist clergyman his
broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie, his
sympathetic, smile and general look of peering and benevolent
curiosity. With such as mr.
John Hare alone could have equalled.
It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume, his
expression, his manner. His very Soul seemed to vary
with 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 quarter past six, when
we left Baker Street, and it's still wanted ten minutes to the
hour. When we found ourselves in
Serpentine Avenue. It was already Dusk and the
lamps were just being lighted as we paced up and down in front of
briony Lodge waiting for the coming of its occupant.
The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock
Holmes, succinct description, but the locality appeared to be
less private than I expected. On the contrary for a small
Street in a quiet Neighbourhood. It was remarkably animated.
There was a group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing
in a corner. A scissors-grinder with his
wheel. Two Guardsmen who were flirting
with a nurse girl and several well-dressed young men who were
lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths.
You see, remarked Holmes as we paced to and fro in front of the
house. This marriage rather simplifies
matters. The Becomes a double-edged
weapon. Now the chances are that she
would be as averse to its being seen by.
Mr. Godfrey Norton as our client is to, it's 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 size 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.
We're then her Banker or her lawyer.
There is that double possibility, but I'm inclined to
think neither, women are naturally secretive and they
like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it over to
anyone else? She could trust her own
guardianship, but she could not tell what indirect, or political
influence might be brought to bear upon a businessman besides
remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days.
It must be why she can lay her hands upon it.
It must be in her own house, but it has twice been burgled.
They do 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 Wheels.
It is her carriage now carry out my orders to the letter.
As he spoke The Gleam of the sidelights of a carriage came
round, the curve of the Avenue. It was a smart little Landau,
which rattled up to the door of briony Lodge as it pulled up.
One of the loafing men at the 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
Guardsmen who took sides of one of the loungers and by the
scissors-grinder, Who is equally hot upon the other side, a blow
was struck an instant, the lady who had stepped from her
carriage was the Centre of a little knot of Flushed and
struggling men who struck savagely at each other, with
their fists and sticks homes, 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.
And his fall, the Guardsmen took to their heels in One Direction
and The loungers in the other while a number of better-dressed
people who had watched the scuffle without taking part 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. She asked, he is dead cried
several voices. No.
No, there's life in him shouted, another but you'll be gone
before you can get into Hospital.
He's a brave. Fellow said a woman, they would
have had the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him.
There were a gang and the rough one to our he's breathing now.
He can't lie in the street, maybe bring him in, marm surely,
bring him into the sitting room. There's a comfortable sofa this
way, please slowly. And solemnly, he was borne into
briony Lodge and laid out in the principal room while I still
observe the proceedings from my post by the window.
The lamps had been lit, but the blinds had not been drawn so
that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch.
I did not know whether he was seized with compunction at that
point for the party 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 kindness 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 intrusted to me.
I hardened my heart and took the smoke-rocket from under me.
Ulster. After all I thought we are not
injuring her. We are but preventing her from
injuring another. Holmes had sat upon the coach,
and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of are a maid
rushed across and threw open 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 and the whole crowd of
Spectators. Well dressed and Ill gentleman
ostlers and servant Maids joined in a general shriek of 'fire.
Thick clouds of smoke curls through the room and out at the
open window. I caught a glimpse of rushing
figures 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 friends arm in mind and to get away from
the scene of uproar. He walked swiftly and in silence
for some few minutes until we had turned down one of the quiet
streets which lead towards the edgeware road.
You did it very nicely doctor. He remarked.
Nothing. Could have been better, it is.
Alright, 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'm still in the dark.
I do not wish to make a mystery. Said he laughing from matter.
Was perfectly simple. You of course saw that everyone
in the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the
evening. I guessed as much then when the
real 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 ons worth Castle
business. A married woman grabs at her
baby. An unmarried one reaches for her
jewel-box. Now, it was clear to me that our
lady of today, had nothing in the house, more precious to her.
And what we are in quest of she would rush to secure it.
The alarm of fire was admirably done.
The smoke and shouting were enough to shake nerves of Steel.
She responded beautifully. The photograph is in a recess
behind a sliding panel, just above the right bellpull.
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 glanced 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 whether to attempt to secure the photograph at
once, but The Coachman had come in and as he was watching me
narrowly, it seems safer to wait a little over.
Tunes, 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
shown 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 not 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, goodnight, mr.
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 staring down the
dimly lit street. Now.
I wonder who the juice that could have been.
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 and
looking eagerly into his face. Not yet.
But you have hopes, I have hopes his income.
I am all impatience to be gone. We must have a cab.
No, my brother from his rating. Then that will simplify matters.
We descended and started off once more for briony Lodge.
Irene, Adler is married, remarked Holmes, married then
yesterday, but whom to an English lawyer named Norton, but
she could not love him. I am in hopes that she does and
Vine 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.
And 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 moody silence, which was
not broken until we drew up in Serpentine Avenue.
The door of briony Lodge was open and an elderly woman, stood
upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic
eye as we stepped from the Brougham.
Mr. Sherlock Holmes. I believe said she, I am mr.
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 5:15 train from
Charing, Cross for the continent.
What? Sherlock Holmes, staggered back,
white with Chagrin and surprise. Do you mean that she has left?
England, never to return? I'm the papers as 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
dismantled shelves and open drawers.
As if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight
Holmes, rushed at the bellpull tore back, a small sliding
shutter and plunging in his hand pulled out.
Photograph and the letter. The photograph was of Irene
Adler herself in evening dress. The letter was superscribed to
Sherlock Holmes, Esquire to be left till called, for my friend
Tori open, and we all three read it together.
It was dated at midnight of the preceding night and ran in this
way. My dear, mr.
Sherlock Holmes. You really did it very 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 had been told that if the king
employed an agent, it would certainly be you and your
address had been given to me yet.
With all this you made me reveal what you wanted to know.
Even after I became suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of
such a dear kind old clergyman, but, you know, I have been
trained as an actress myself. Male costume 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 close as I
call 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.
Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Then I rather imprudently wished
you goodnight and started for the temple to see my husband.
We both thought the best resource was flight when pursued
by so formidable an antagonist. 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 take in the future.
Sure. I leave a photograph, which he
might care to possess and I remain.
Dear. Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
Very truly yours Irene. Norton.
Née, 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 shiva's 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 your majesty said, Holmes coldly.
I am sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's
business to a more successful conclusion.
Honza contrary my dear sir. Cried the king.
Nothing could be more successful.
I know that her word is inviolate.
See photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire.
I'm glad to hear your majesty say so.
I am immensely indebted to you. Pray.
Tell me in what way I can reward.
You this ring. He Slipped an emerald snake ring
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, this
photograph. The king stared at him in
amazement Irene's photograph. He cried.
Certainly, if you wish it. I thank you.
Your majesty. Then.
There is no more to be done in the matter.
I have the honour to wish you a very good morning, he bowed and
turning 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 mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a
woman's wit. He used to make, Merry 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 honourable title of the
woman. End of a scandal in Bohemia.