"What make ? " asked Holmes

"The name maker, ; or his monogram, rather "

"Not at all The 'G' small 't' stands for 'Gesellschaft,' the German for 'Company ' customary contraction like our 'Co ' 'P,' , stands for 'Papier ' Now 'Eg ' glance at our Continental Gazetteer " down heavy brown volume shelves "Eglow, Eglonitz--here , Egria in German-speaking country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad 'Remarkable as being the scene death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous glass-factories and paper-mills ' Ha, ha, my boy, what make ? " His eyes sparkled, and he sent up great blue triumphant cloud cigarette

"The paper in Bohemia,"

"Precisely man who wrote the note is German note the peculiar construction sentence--'This account of you from all quarters received ' Frenchman or Russian have written that German so uncourteous verbs It only remains, therefore, to discover wanted German who writes upon Bohemian paper and prefers wearing mask to showing his face And here he comes, if not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts "

As he spoke the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and grating wheels against the curb, followed by sharp pull bell Holmes whistled

"A pair, sound," said he "Yes," he continued, glancing window "A nice little brougham and pair of beauties hundred and fifty guineas apiece There's money in , Watson, nothing else "

" that I had better go, Holmes "

"Not bit, Doctor Stay where lost without my Boswell And this promises interesting It pity to miss it "

"But your client--"

"Never mind him want your help, and so may he Here he comes Sit down armchair, Doctor, and your best attention "

slow and heavy step, which heard stairs and passage, paused immediately outside the door Then loud and authoritative tap

"Come in ! " said Holmes

man entered hardly six feet six inches in height, chest and limbs of Hercules His dress was rich with richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad taste Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed across the sleeves and fronts double-breasted coat, while the deep blue cloak thrown over his shoulders was lined with flame-colored silk and secured neck with brooch which consisted of single flaming beryl Boots which extended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence suggested by his whole appearance He carried broad-brimmed hat hand, while he wore across the upper part face, extending down past the cheekbones, black vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, hand was still raised as he entered lower part face he appeared man of strong character, with thick, hanging lip, and long, straight chin suggestive of resolution pushed length of obstinacy

"You had my note ? " he asked with deep harsh voice and strongly marked German accent " you that call " He looked from one other of us, uncertain which to address

"Pray take seat," said Holmes " my friend and colleague, Dr Watson, occasionally good enough to help me in my cases Whom have I the honor to address ? "

" address me Count Von Kramm, Bohemian nobleman I understand gentleman, your friend, is man of honor and discretion, whom trust with matter most extreme importance , much prefer to communicate alone "

I rose , but Holmes caught me wrist and pushed me back into my chair " both, or none," said he " say before this gentleman anything which say "

The Count shrugged his broad shoulders "Then begin," said he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; end the matter of no importance At present weight it an influence upon European history "

"I promise," said Holmes

"And I "

" excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor "The august person who employs me wishes his agent unknown , and confess at once title just called myself exactly my own "

" aware of it," said Holmes drily

"The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution be taken to quench what might grow an immense scandal and seriously compromise reigning families of Europe plainly, the matter implicates the great House of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia "

" also aware ," murmured Holmes, settling himself down armchair and closing his eyes

Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise languid, lounging figure man who depicted to him 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, " better able to advise you "

The man sprang chair and paced up and down the room in uncontrollable agitation Then, with gesture of desperation, he tore the mask face and hurled it ground " right," he cried; " the King Why should I attempt to conceal it ? "

"Why, indeed ? " murmured Holmes "Your Majesty spoken before aware that addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hereditary King of Bohemia "

"But understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, " understand that not accustomed to doing such business in my own person Yet the matter was so delicate that confide it to an agent without putting myself power come incognito from Prague of consulting you "

"Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more

"The facts are briefly these: Some five , during lengthy visit to Warsaw, the acquaintance wellknown adventuress, Irene Adler The name is farmiliar "

"Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without opening his eyes For many years he had adopted system of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so difficult to name subject or person at once furnish information In her biography sandwiched in between that of Hebrew rabbi of staff-commander who had written monograph deep-sea fishes

"Let me see ! " said Holmes "Hum ! Born in New Jersey year 1858 Contralto--hum ! La Scala, hum ! Prima donna Imperial Opera of Warsaw--yes ! Retired from operatic stage--ha ! Living in London--quite so ! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled young person, wrote her some compromising letters, now desirous of getting those letters back "

"Precisely so But how--"

"Was there secret marriage ? "

"None "

"No legal papers or certificates ? "

"None "

"Then I fail your Majesty young person should produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is she their authenticity ? "

" the writing "

"Pooh, pooh ! Forgery "

"My private note-paper "

"Stolen "

"My own seal "

"Imitated "

"My photograph "

"Bought "

"We were both photograph "

"Oh, dear ! very bad ! Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion "

" mad--insane "

" compromised yourself seriously "