" only Crown Prince then young but thirty now "

"It recovered "

" tried and failed "

"Your Majesty must pay It bought "

"She will not sell "

"Stolen, then "

"Five attempts made Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her house Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled Twice she waylaid no result "

"No sign of it ? "

"Absolutely none "

Holmes laughed " quite pretty little problem," said he

"But very serious one ," returned the King reproachfully

"Very, indeed And what does she propose photograph ? "

"To ruin me "

"But how ? "

" about married "

"So heard "

"To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter King of Scandinavia know the stnct principles of her family herself the very soul of delicacy shadow of doubt my conduct would bring the matter to an end "

"And Irene Adler ? "

"Threatens to the photograph And she will that she will know her, but she has soul of steel She face most beautiful of women, mind most resolute of men Rather than marry another woman, no lengths not go--none "

" that she sent it yet ? "

" "

"And why ? "

"Because she has said that send it day betrothal was publicly proclaimed next Monday "

"Oh, then three days yet," said Holmes with yawn " very fortunate, as matters of importance to look into just at present Your Majesty will, , stay in London ? "

"Certainly me Langham under the name Count Von Kramm "

"Then drop you line to let how we progress "

"Pray all anxiety "

"Then, money ? "

" carte blanche "

"Absolutely ? "

"I tell you that give provinces kingdom that photograph "

"And for present expenses ? "

The King took heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and laid it table

" three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in notes,"

Holmes scribbled receipt upon sheet note-book and handed it to him

"And Mademoiselle's address ? " he asked

"Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St John's Wood "

Holmes took note of it "One other question," said he " photograph cabinet ? "

" "

"Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that soon have some good news And good-night, Watson," he added, wheels royal brougham rolled down the street " wlll be good enough to-morrow afternoon at three o'clock like to chat this little matter over " [edit]

II

At three o'clock precisely at Baker Street, but Holmes yet returned The landlady informed me that he had left the house shortly after eight o'clock morning I sat down beside the fire, however, intention of awaiting him, however long already deeply interested inquiry, for, though surrounded by grim and strange features which were associated two crimes which already recorded, still, the nature case exalted station client gave it character own Indeed, apart nature investigation which my friend had on hand, something masterly grasp of situation, keen, incisive reasoning, which made it pleasure to study his system of work, and the quick, subtle methods he disentangled the most inextricable mysteries So accustomed was I invariable success very possibility failing had ceased to enter into my head

close upon four door opened, and drunkenlooking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked room Accustomed as to my friend's amazing powers use of disguises, I had to look three times before certain indeed he With nod he vanished bedroom, whence he emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in front fire and laughed heartily for some minutes

"Well, really ! " he cried, and then he choked and laughed again until obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, chair

" it ? "

"It's quite too funny never guess how I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing "

" 't imagine I suppose that watching the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler "

"Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual tell you, however I left the house little after eight o'clock character of groom out of work wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsy men Be , and know all I soon found Briony Lodge bijou villa, with garden back but built out in front right road, two stories Chubb lock door Large sitting-room right side, well furnished, with long windows almost floor, and those preposterous English window fasteners which child could open Behind nothing remarkable, save passage window reached top 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 mews in lane which runs down by one wall garden I lent the ostlers hand in rubbing down their horses, and received in exchange twopence, glass of half and half, two fills of shag tobacco, and information as desire about Miss Adler, nothing of half dozen other people neighborhood in whom not least interested, but whose biographies compelled to listen to "

"And what of Irene Adler ? " I asked

"Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down part the daintiest thing under bonnet planet So say the Serpentine-mews, to 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 male visitor, but of him dark, handsome, and dashing, never calls once day, and often twice Mr Godfrey Norton, Inner Temple See the advantages of cabman as confidant They had driven him home dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him When I had listened to all they had , I began to walk up and down near Briony Lodge once more, and over my plan of campaign