Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.I-IV
"It must be recovered." `
` `
` "We have tried and failed." `
` `
` "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." `
` `
` "She will not sell." `
` `
` "Stolen, then." `
` `
` "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked `
` her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice `
` she has been waylaid. There has been no result." `
` `
` "No sign of it?" `
` `
` "Absolutely none." `
` `
` Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. `
` `
` "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. `
` `
` "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the `
` photograph?" `
` `
` "To ruin me." `
` `
` "But how?" `
` `
` "I am about to be married." `
` `
` "So I have heard." `
` `
` "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the `
` King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her `
` family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a `
` doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." `
` `
` "And Irene Adler?" `
` `
` "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I `
` know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul `
` of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and `
` the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry `
` another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not `
` go--none." `
` `
` "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" `
` `
` "I am sure." `
` `
` "And why?" `
` `
` "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the `
` betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." `
` `
` "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That `
` is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to `
` look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in `
` London for the present?" `
` `
` "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the `
` Count Von Kramm." `
` `
` "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." `
` `
` "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." `
` `
` "Then, as to money?" `
` `
` "You have carte blanche." `
` `
` "Absolutely?" `
` `
` "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom `
` to have that photograph." `
` `
` "And for present expenses?" `
` `
` The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak `
` and laid it on the table. `
` `
` "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in `
` notes," he said. `
` `
` Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and `
` handed it to him. `
` `
` "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. `
` `
` "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." `
` `
` Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the `
` photograph a cabinet?" `
` `
` "It was." `
` `
` "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon `
` have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, `
` as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If `
` you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three `
` o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." `
` `
` `
` II. `
` `
` At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had `
` not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the `
` house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down `
` beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, `
` however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his `
` inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and `
` strange features which were associated with the two crimes which `
` I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the `
` exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. `
` Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my `
` friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of `
` a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a `
` pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the `
` quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most `
` inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable `
` success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to `
` enter into my head. `
` `
` It was close upon four before the door opened, and a `
` drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an `
` inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. `
` Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of `
` disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it `
` was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the 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 of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. `
` `
` "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again `
` until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the `
` chair. `
` `
` "What is it?" `
` `
` "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I `
` employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." `
` `
` "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the `
` habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." `
` `
` "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, `
` however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this `
` morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a `
` wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of `
` them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found `
` Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but `
` built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock `
` to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well `
` furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those `
` preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. `
` Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window `
` could be reached from the top of the 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 `
` there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the `
` garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, `
` and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two `
` fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire `
` about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in `
` the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but `
` whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." `
` `
` "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. `
` `
` "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is `
` the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the `
` Serpentine-mews, to a 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 only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, `
` handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and `
` often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See `
` the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him `
` home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. `
` When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up `
` and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan `
` of campaign. `
` `
` "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the `
` matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the `
` relation between them, and what the object of his repeated `
` visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the `
` former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his `
` keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this `
` question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony `
` Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the `
` Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my `
` inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to `
` let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the `
` situation." `
` `
` "I am following you closely," I answered. `
` `
`
` `
` "We have tried and failed." `
` `
` "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." `
` `
` "She will not sell." `
` `
` "Stolen, then." `
` `
` "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked `
` her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice `
` she has been waylaid. There has been no result." `
` `
` "No sign of it?" `
` `
` "Absolutely none." `
` `
` Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. `
` `
` "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. `
` `
` "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the `
` photograph?" `
` `
` "To ruin me." `
` `
` "But how?" `
` `
` "I am about to be married." `
` `
` "So I have heard." `
` `
` "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the `
` King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her `
` family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a `
` doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." `
` `
` "And Irene Adler?" `
` `
` "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I `
` know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul `
` of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and `
` the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry `
` another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not `
` go--none." `
` `
` "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" `
` `
` "I am sure." `
` `
` "And why?" `
` `
` "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the `
` betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." `
` `
` "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That `
` is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to `
` look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in `
` London for the present?" `
` `
` "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the `
` Count Von Kramm." `
` `
` "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." `
` `
` "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." `
` `
` "Then, as to money?" `
` `
` "You have carte blanche." `
` `
` "Absolutely?" `
` `
` "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom `
` to have that photograph." `
` `
` "And for present expenses?" `
` `
` The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak `
` and laid it on the table. `
` `
` "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in `
` notes," he said. `
` `
` Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and `
` handed it to him. `
` `
` "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. `
` `
` "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." `
` `
` Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the `
` photograph a cabinet?" `
` `
` "It was." `
` `
` "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon `
` have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, `
` as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If `
` you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three `
` o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." `
` `
` `
` II. `
` `
` At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had `
` not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the `
` house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down `
` beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, `
` however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his `
` inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and `
` strange features which were associated with the two crimes which `
` I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the `
` exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. `
` Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my `
` friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of `
` a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a `
` pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the `
` quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most `
` inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable `
` success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to `
` enter into my head. `
` `
` It was close upon four before the door opened, and a `
` drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an `
` inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. `
` Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of `
` disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it `
` was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the 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 of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. `
` `
` "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again `
` until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the `
` chair. `
` `
` "What is it?" `
` `
` "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I `
` employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." `
` `
` "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the `
` habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." `
` `
` "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, `
` however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this `
` morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a `
` wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of `
` them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found `
` Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but `
` built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock `
` to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well `
` furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those `
` preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. `
` Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window `
` could be reached from the top of the 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 `
` there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the `
` garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, `
` and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two `
` fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire `
` about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in `
` the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but `
` whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." `
` `
` "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. `
` `
` "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is `
` the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the `
` Serpentine-mews, to a 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 only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, `
` handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and `
` often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See `
` the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him `
` home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. `
` When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up `
` and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan `
` of campaign. `
` `
` "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the `
` matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the `
` relation between them, and what the object of his repeated `
` visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the `
` former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his `
` keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this `
` question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony `
` Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the `
` Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my `
` inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to `
` let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the `
` situation." `
` `
` "I am following you closely," I answered. `
` `
`