No. 1 Scandal in Bohemia by Arthur Conan Doyle
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. 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 arecess behind asliding panel just above the right bell-pull .She was there in an instant, and I caught aglimpse of it as she half-drew it out .When I cried out that_it_was afalse 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 seemed safer to wait .alittle over-precipitance may ruin all ."

"And now ? " I asked .

"Our quest is practically finished . I_shall call with_the King to-morrow, 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 asatisfaction 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 aclear field .Besides, we_must_be prompt, for_this marriage may mean acomplete 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, Mister Sherlock Holmes ."

There were several people on_the pavement at_the_time, but the greeting appeared to_come from aslim 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 deuce that could_have_been ." [edit]

III .

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 ."

"Then, come . I_am all impatience to_be gone ."

" we_must_have acab ."

"No, my brougham is waiting ."

"Then that_will simplify matters ." We descended and started off once more for Briony Lodge .

"Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes .

"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, 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 of_my own station ! What aqueen she would_have made ! " He relapsed into amoody 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 asardonic 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 aquestioning 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 ."

" 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 shelves and open drawers, as if_the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight .Holmes rushed at_the bell-pull, tore back asmall sliding shutter, and, plunging in_his hand, pulled out aphotograph and aletter .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 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 asuspicion .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 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 adear, 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 up stairs, 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 Sherlock Holmes .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 an antagonist; so you_will_find the nest empty when_you call to-morrow . as_to_the photograph, your client may rest in peace .I love and am loved by abetter 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 aweapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might take in_the_future .I leave aphotograph which he might care to possess; and I remain, dear_Mr Sherlock Holmes,

very_truly_yours, IRENE NORTON, nee ADLER .

"What awoman--oh, what awoman ! " cried the King of Bohemia, when we 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 apity that she was not on my level ? "

"From what I_have_seen of_the lady she seems indeed to_be on avery different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly ." I_am sorry that I_have_not_been_able to bring your Majesty's business to amore successful conclusion ."

" on_the contrary, my dear_Sir," cried the King; "nothing could_be more successful . I_know that her word is inviolate .The photograph is now as safe as_if it were in_the fire ."

" I_am 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 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 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 agreat scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr Sherlock Holmes were beaten by awoman'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 honorable title of_the woman .

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