سه شنبه ۲۰ شهریور ۰۳ | ۲۳:۳۳ ۱۰ بازديد
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 myself, I be-
gan 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 be-
came 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 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 ob-
ject of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sher-
lock 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 pho-
tograph, your client may rest in peace. I
love and am 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 my-
self, and to preserve a weapon which will
always secure me from any steps which
he might take in the future. I leave a pho-
tograph which he might care to possess;
and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes,
— “Very truly yours,
“Irene Norton, n´ee Adler.”
“What a woman—oh, what a woman!” 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 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 Holmes coldly. “I am sorry that I have not been
able to bring your Majesty’s business to a more suc-
cessful 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 honour 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 a great scandal threatened to af-
fect 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 woma
“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 myself, I be-
gan 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 be-
came 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 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 ob-
ject of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sher-
lock 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 pho-
tograph, your client may rest in peace. I
love and am 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 my-
self, and to preserve a weapon which will
always secure me from any steps which
he might take in the future. I leave a pho-
tograph which he might care to possess;
and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes,
— “Very truly yours,
“Irene Norton, n´ee Adler.”
“What a woman—oh, what a woman!” 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 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 Holmes coldly. “I am sorry that I have not been
able to bring your Majesty’s business to a more suc-
cessful 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 honour 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 a great scandal threatened to af-
fect 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 woma
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