Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.I-IV
may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." `
` `
` "Where, then?" `
` `
` "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But `
` I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, `
` and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it `
` over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but `
` she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be `
` brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she `
` had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she `
` can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." `
` `
` "But it has twice been burgled." `
` `
` "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." `
` `
` "But how will you look?" `
` `
` "I will not look." `
` `
` "What then?" `
` `
` "I will get her to show me." `
` `
` "But she will refuse." `
` `
` "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is `
` her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." `
` `
` As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round `
` the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which `
` rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of `
` the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in `
` the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another `
` loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce `
` quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who `
` took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, `
` who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and `
` in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was `
` the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who `
` struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes `
` dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached `
` her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood `
` running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to `
` their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while `
` a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle `
` without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to `
` attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, `
` had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her `
` superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking `
` back into the street. `
` `
` "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. `
` `
` "He is dead," cried several voices. `
` `
` "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be `
` gone before you can get him to hospital." `
` `
` "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the `
` lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a `
` gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." `
` `
` "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" `
` `
` "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable `
` sofa. This way, please!" `
` `
` Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out `
` in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings `
` from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the `
` blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay `
` upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with `
` compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I `
` know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life `
` than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was `
` conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited `
` upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery `
` to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted `
` to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under `
` my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are `
` but preventing her from injuring another. `
` `
` Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man `
` who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the `
` window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the `
` signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The `
` word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of `
` spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and `
` servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds `
` of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I `
` caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice `
` of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. `
` Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner `
` of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my `
` friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. `
` He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we `
` had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the `
` Edgeware Road. `
` `
` "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could `
` have been better. It is all right." `
` `
` "You have the photograph?" `
` `
` "I know where it is." `
` `
` "And how did you find out?" `
` `
` "She showed me, as I told you she would." `
` `
` "I am still in the dark." `
` `
` "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter `
` was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the `
` street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." `
` `
` "I guessed as much." `
` `
` "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in `
` the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand `
` to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." `
` `
` "That also I could fathom." `
` `
` "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else `
` could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room `
` which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was `
` determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for `
` air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your `
` chance." `
` `
` "How did that help you?" `
` `
` "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on `
` fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she `
` values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have `
` more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the `
` Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in `
` the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; `
` an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to `
` me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious `
` to her than what we are in quest of. 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 a recess behind a sliding panel just above the `
` right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a `
` glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it `
` was a false 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. A little 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 a satisfaction 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 a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage `
` may mean a complete 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 a slim 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." `
` `
` `
` 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." `
` `
`
` `
` "Where, then?" `
` `
` "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But `
` I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, `
` and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it `
` over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but `
` she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be `
` brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she `
` had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she `
` can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." `
` `
` "But it has twice been burgled." `
` `
` "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." `
` `
` "But how will you look?" `
` `
` "I will not look." `
` `
` "What then?" `
` `
` "I will get her to show me." `
` `
` "But she will refuse." `
` `
` "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is `
` her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." `
` `
` As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round `
` the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which `
` rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of `
` the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in `
` the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another `
` loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce `
` quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who `
` took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, `
` who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and `
` in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was `
` the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who `
` struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes `
` dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached `
` her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood `
` running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to `
` their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while `
` a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle `
` without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to `
` attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, `
` had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her `
` superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking `
` back into the street. `
` `
` "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. `
` `
` "He is dead," cried several voices. `
` `
` "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be `
` gone before you can get him to hospital." `
` `
` "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the `
` lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a `
` gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." `
` `
` "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" `
` `
` "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable `
` sofa. This way, please!" `
` `
` Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out `
` in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings `
` from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the `
` blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay `
` upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with `
` compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I `
` know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life `
` than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was `
` conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited `
` upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery `
` to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted `
` to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under `
` my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are `
` but preventing her from injuring another. `
` `
` Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man `
` who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the `
` window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the `
` signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The `
` word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of `
` spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and `
` servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds `
` of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I `
` caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice `
` of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. `
` Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner `
` of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my `
` friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. `
` He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we `
` had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the `
` Edgeware Road. `
` `
` "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could `
` have been better. It is all right." `
` `
` "You have the photograph?" `
` `
` "I know where it is." `
` `
` "And how did you find out?" `
` `
` "She showed me, as I told you she would." `
` `
` "I am still in the dark." `
` `
` "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter `
` was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the `
` street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." `
` `
` "I guessed as much." `
` `
` "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in `
` the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand `
` to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." `
` `
` "That also I could fathom." `
` `
` "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else `
` could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room `
` which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was `
` determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for `
` air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your `
` chance." `
` `
` "How did that help you?" `
` `
` "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on `
` fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she `
` values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have `
` more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the `
` Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in `
` the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; `
` an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to `
` me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious `
` to her than what we are in quest of. 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 a recess behind a sliding panel just above the `
` right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a `
` glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it `
` was a false 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. A little 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 a satisfaction 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 a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage `
` may mean a complete 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 a slim 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." `
` `
` `
` 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." `
` `
`