Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.I-IV
`
` "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." `
` `
` "We must have a cab." `
` `
` "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 a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a `
` moody 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 a sardonic 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 a `
` questioning 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 a small `
` sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a `
` photograph and a letter. 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 a `
` suspicion. 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 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 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 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 myself, and to preserve a `
` weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might `
` take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to `
` possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, `
` `
` "Very truly yours, `
` "IRENE NORTON, n�e 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 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 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 affect 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 woman. `
` `
` `
` `
` ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE `
` `
` I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the `
` autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a `
` very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. `
` With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when `
` Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door `
` behind me. `
` `
` "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear `
` Watson," he said cordially. `
` `
` "I was afraid that you were engaged." `
` `
` "So I am. Very much so." `
` `
` "Then I can wait in the next room." `
` `
` "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and `
` helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no `
` doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." `
` `
` The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of `
` greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small `
` fat-encircled eyes. `
` `
` "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and `
` putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in `
` judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love `
` of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum `
` routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by `
` the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you `
` will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own `
` little adventures." `
` `
` "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I `
` observed. `
` `
` "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we `
` went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary `
` Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary `
` combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more `
` daring than any effort of the imagination." `
` `
` "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." `
` `
` "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my `
` view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you `
` until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to `
` be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call `
` upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to `
` be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some `
` time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique `
` things are very often connected not with the larger but with the `
` smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for `
`
` "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." `
` `
` "We must have a cab." `
` `
` "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 a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a `
` moody 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 a sardonic 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 a `
` questioning 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 a small `
` sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a `
` photograph and a letter. 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 a `
` suspicion. 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 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 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 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 myself, and to preserve a `
` weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might `
` take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to `
` possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, `
` `
` "Very truly yours, `
` "IRENE NORTON, n�e 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 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 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 affect 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 woman. `
` `
` `
` `
` ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE `
` `
` I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the `
` autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a `
` very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. `
` With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when `
` Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door `
` behind me. `
` `
` "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear `
` Watson," he said cordially. `
` `
` "I was afraid that you were engaged." `
` `
` "So I am. Very much so." `
` `
` "Then I can wait in the next room." `
` `
` "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and `
` helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no `
` doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." `
` `
` The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of `
` greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small `
` fat-encircled eyes. `
` `
` "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and `
` putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in `
` judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love `
` of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum `
` routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by `
` the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you `
` will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own `
` little adventures." `
` `
` "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I `
` observed. `
` `
` "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we `
` went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary `
` Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary `
` combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more `
` daring than any effort of the imagination." `
` `
` "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." `
` `
` "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my `
` view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you `
` until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to `
` be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call `
` upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to `
` be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some `
` time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique `
` things are very often connected not with the larger but with the `
` smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for `
`