 Adventure 1 A Scandal in Bohemia from the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This is a LibriWalks recording. All LibriWalks recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriWalks.org. Chapter 1 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 jive 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 upon all his mental results. Yet 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 had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us away from each other. My own complete happiness and the home-centered interests which 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 own old books and alterating 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 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 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 Trapofmurder, of his clearing up of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trinkam Ali 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 the 20th of March 1888. I was returning from a journey to a patient for I had now returned to civil practice. And 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 homes 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 spar 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 to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars and indicated a spirit case and a gaso-gene in the corner. Then he stood before the fire and looked me over in a 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 last. Seven!� I answered. �Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle 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 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 cannot imagine how you deduced it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible and my wife has given her notice. But there again, I fail to see how you worked 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 is very carelessly scraped out the edge of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. �Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in wild weather and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slinging specimen of country slavery. As to your practice, if a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodiform 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 that 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 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 clear. For example, you have frequently seen the steps which lead up from the hall into this room. �Frequently? How often?� �Well, some hundreds of times.� �Then, how many are they?� �How many?� �I do not know.� �Quite so, you have not observed.� �And yet, you have seen.� �This is just my point.� �Now, I know that there are 17 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 note paper which had been lying open on the table. �It came by the last post� he said. �Read it aloud.� �The note was undated and without either signature or address.� �There we will call upon you tonight at quarter to 8 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 be safely 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 wears a mask.� �This indeed is 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. �Enduring to imitate my companion�s processes. �Such paper could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is particularly strong and stiff.� �Piculier, that�s 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, a P and a large G, a P and a large G, a P and a large 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 is monogram rather. Not at all. The G with a small T stands for Gissellschaft, which is the German for company. It is a customary contraction like our CO. P, of course, stands for Pepier, now for the EG. Let us glance at our continental gazette. He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. �Egglo, egglonitz, here we are, Agria�. It is in a German speaking country in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. Remarkable as being the scene of the death of Wallenstein and of its numerous glass factories and paper mills. �Haha, 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 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 unquartious to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemia 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 was the sharp sound of horses hooves and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bell. Homes whizzled, a pair by the sound said he. Yes, he continued, glancing out of the window. A nice little brahame and a pair of beauties. A hundred and fifty guiness, a peace. There is money in this case Watson, if there is nothing else. I think that I better go, Homes. Not a bit, doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my boss will. And this promise is 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 tap. Come in, said Homes. A man entered, who could hardly have been less than six feet, six inches in height, with a 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 shoulders, was lined with flame-colored silk and secured the neck with a bruise which consisted of a single flaming barrel. 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 wizard 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 his 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 honour to address? You may address me as the Count Juan Cram, a Bohemian nobleman. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and discretion, who 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 or none, said he. You may say before this gentleman anything which you may say to me. The Count strutched 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 am 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 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 state your case, he remarked, I should be better able to advise you. The man sprang up 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 Wilhelm, Grossridge, Simon, one Ormstein, Grand Duke of Castle Felstein, the hereditary king of Bohemia. But you can understand, 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. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have come incognito from Prague 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 adventures, 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 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 monogram upon the deep sea fishes. Let me see, said Holmes, born in New Jersey in the year 1858. Contralto, lascala, prima-donna, imperial opera of Warsaw, yes, retired from operatic stage, 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 failed 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, poof poof, forgery, my private note paper, stolen, unlawful, unlawful. My own seal, imitated my photograph. What? 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 30 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. Homes 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 Plotilde Lordman, one Sax Menengen, 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 be-throtel was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday. Oh, then we have three days left yet, said Holmes, with a 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 Langham under the name of the Count Juan Cram. Then I shall drop you a line and let you know how we progress. Pray 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 the 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 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. Its briny lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood. Holmes took a note of it. One another question, he said. Was the photograph a cabinet? It was. Then good night, Your Majesty, and I trust we shall soon have some good news for you. And good night, Watson, he added, as the wheels of the royal bohem rolled down the street. If you would be good enough to call tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, I should like to chat this little matter over with you. After 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 features which were associated with the two crimes which I have already recorded, still the nature of the case and the exalted 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 for 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 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, tweet 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 his chair. What is it? It is quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I employed my morning or what I ended up doing. I cannot imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the habits and perhaps the house of Ms. Idreen 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 work. There is a wonderful sympathy and free-mancery among horsey men. Be one of them and you will know all that there is the know. I soon found Bryony Lodge. It is a bijou villa with a garden at the back but built out in front right up to the road. Two stories. Chubb locked to the door. Large sitting room on the right side well furnished with long windows almost to the floor and those preposterous English windows fasteners which a child 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 launched down the street and found as I expected that there was a muse in the lane which runs down by one of the wall of the garden. I lent the oslars a hand in rubbing down their horses and received in exchange two pens, a glass of half and half, two fills of shagged tobacco and as much information as I could desire about Ms. Adler to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the neighborhood in whom I was not in the least interested but whose biographies I was compelled to listen to and what of 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 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's 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 cab man as a confidant they had driven him home a dozen of times from serpentine muse and knew all about him when I had listened to all they had to tell I began to walk up and down near briny 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 briny 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 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'm 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 moustached evidently the man of whom I had heard he appeared to be in a great hurry shouted to the cab man 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 for about half an hour and I could catch glimpses of him in the window of the sitting room pacing up and down talking excitedly and waving his arms off her I could see nothing presently he emerged looking even more flourished than before as he stepped up to the cab he pulled a golden watch from his pocket and looked at it earnestly drive like the devil he shouted first to gross and hankies in region street and then to the church of saint monica in the edgeware road half a guinea if you do it in 20 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 lando the coachman with his court 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 20 minutes this was quite too good to lose Watson I was just balancing whether I should run for it or whether I should purge myself behind her lando when a cab came down 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 20 minutes it was 25 minutes to 12 and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind my cabbie drove fast I don't think I ever drove faster but the others were there before us the cab and the lando with their streaming 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 of whom I had followed and a surprise clergyman who seemed to be expostulating with them they were all three standing in a knot in front of the altar I launched up the side aisle like any other idler who had 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 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 idling addler spinster to godfrey norton bachelor it was all done in an instant and there was the gentleman thanking me on one side and the lady on the other while the clergyman beamed in front of me it was the most preposterous position in which I 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 was my lucky appearance saved the bride room 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 very seriously menaced it looked as if the pair might take an immediate departure and so necessitate a 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 a 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 not running a chance of arrest not in a good cause oh the cause is excellent then I am 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 will make it clear to you now he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that our landlady have 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 mrs. Irene or madame rather returns from her drive at seven we must be at briny 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 to 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 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 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 am to remain neutral to get near the window to watch you and at the signal to throw in this object and 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 clergyman his broad black hat his baggy trousers his white tie his sympathetic smile and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity where such as Mr. John Hare alone could have equaled 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 quarter past six when we left Baker Street and it still wanted 10 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 briny lodge waiting for the coming of its occupant the house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes sussing description but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected on the contrary for a small street in the quiet neighborhood it was remarkably animated there was a group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing in a corner and a scissor 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 photograph 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 its 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 a 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 where 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 where she can lay her hands upon it it must be in her own house but it has twice been burgled shah 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 fields it is her carriage now you carry out my orders to the letter as he spoke the gleam of the side lights of a carriage came round the curb of the avenue it was a smart little lando which rattled up to the door of briny 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 two guardsmen who took sides with one of the loungers and by the scissor grinder who was equally hot upon the other a blow was struck and in an instant the lady who had stepped from her carriage was the center 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 at 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 super figure outlined against the lights of the hall looking back into the street is the poor gentleman much hurt she asked he's dead cried several voices no no there is life in him shouted another but he'll be gone before you can get him to 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 they were a gang and a rough one too ah he's breathing now he can't lie in the street may we bring him in ma'am surely bring him into the sitting room there is a comfortable so far this way please slowly and solemnly he was born into briny lodge and laid out in the principal room while I still observed the proceedings from my post by the window the lamps had been lit but the blinds had not been drawn so I could see homes 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 then 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 the blackest treachery to homes to draw back now from the part which he had entrusted to me I hardened my heart and took the smoke rocket from my ulcer after all I thought we are not injuring her we are but preventing her from injuring another homes had sat up upon the couch and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of air the maid rushed across and threw open the window at the same instance 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 all slurs and servant maids joined in a general streak of fire thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the window open I caught a glimpse of rushing figures and a moment later the voice of homes 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 10 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 one of the quiet street which led towards the edge where 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'm still in the dark I do not wish to make a mystery said he laughing the 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 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 the couch I motioned for air they were compelled to open the door 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 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 Amsworth castle business a married woman grabs at her baby and 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 than 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 bell pull 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 yet 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 seemed safer to wait a little over precipitants 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 of 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 good night mr. shallow combs there were several people on the payment at the time but the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulcer who had hurried by I have heard that voice before said homes staring down the dimly lit street now I wonder who the deuce that could have been chapter 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 shallow combs by either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face not yet but you have hopes I have hopes then come I am all impatient to be gone we must have a cab no my bro ham is waiting then that will simplify matters we descended and started off once more for briny lodge Irene Adler is married remarked homes 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 and she does not love your majesty if she does not love your majesty there is no reason why she should interfere with your majesty's plan it is true and yet well I wish she had been one 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 briny lodge was open and an elderly woman stood upon the steps she watched us with the sardonic eyes as we stepped from the bro ham mr. shallow combs I believe she said 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 515 train from chairing cross for the continent what shallow combs staggered back white with charging and surprise do you mean that she's 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 dismantled shells and open drawers as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight Holmes rushed at the bell pull 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 superscribed to shallow combs esq to be left till called for my friend tore it 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. shallow combs 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 out how I had betrayed myself I began to think I had been once 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 clothes 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. shallow combs then I rather imprudently wished you good night and started for the temple to see my husband we both thought the best resource was flight when pursued by so formidable and antagonist so you'll find the next empty when you call tomorrow as to the photograph your client may rest in peace I love and I'm 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 I leave a photograph which he might care to possess and I remain dear mr. shallow combs very truly yours Irene Norton knee Adler what a woman oh what a woman cried the king of Bohemia when we had all three read the episode 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 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 coldy 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 invalid the photograph is now as safe as it were in the fire I'm glad to hear your majesty say so I'm 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 actually 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 your majesty then there is no more to be done in the matter I have the honor to wish you a very good morning he bored 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 mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman's wit he used to make merry over the cleverness of woman but I have not heard him do it of late when he speaks of Irene Adler or when he refers to her photograph it is always under the honorable title of the woman end of a scandal in Bohemia