The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Part 5 (1/2)
”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 froham
”Mr Sherlock Holmes, I believe?” said she
”I a at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze
”Indeed! My mistress toldwith her husband by the 5:15 train fro Cross for the Continent”
”What!” Sherlock Holrin and surprise ”Do you land?”
”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-roo and myself The furniture was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked theht Hol 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 ”Sherlock Holmes, Esq To be left till called for” My friend tore it open and we all three read it together It was dated at ht 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 ainst you ent it would certainly be you And your address 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 hard to think evil of such a dear, kind old clergyman But, you know, I have been trained as an actressnew to ives I sent John, the coach-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 Sherlock Holht, and started for the Teht the best resource was flight, when pursued by so foronist; so you will find the nest eraph, your client may rest in peace I love and a may do what he ithout hindrance frouard myself, and to preserve a weapon which will always secure ht take in the future I leave a photograph which he ht care to possess; and I remain, dear Mr Sherlock Holmes,
”Very truly yours, ”IRENE NORTON, nee ADLER”
”What a wo of Bohemia, e 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 your Majesty,” said Hol your Majesty's business to a more successful conclusion”
”On the contrary,could be raph is now as safe as if it were in the fire”
”I alad to hear your Majesty say so”
”I am immensely indebted to you Pray tell --” He slipped an eer and held it out upon the pal which I should value even hly,” said Holraph!”
The King stared at hiraph!” he cried ”Certainly, if you wish it”
”I thank your Majesty Then there is no more to be done in the ” He bowed, and, turning aithout observing the hand which the King had stretched out to him, he set off in reat 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