“The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Europe Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his gigantic client “If your Majesty would condescend to state your case,” he remarked, “I should be better able to advise you.” The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in uncontrollable agitation Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground “You are right,” he cried; “I am the King Why should I attempt to conceal it?” “Why, indeed?” murmured Holmes Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power I have come _incognito_ from Prague for the purpose of consulting you.” “Then, pray consult,” said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more “The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known adventuress, Irene Adler The name is no doubt familiar to you.” “Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor,” murmured Holmes without opening his eyes For many years he had adopted a system of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not at once furnish information In this case I found her biography sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fishes Born in New Jersey in the year 1858 Prima donna Imperial Opera of Warsaw—yes Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and is now desirous of getting those letters back.” “Precisely so But how—” “Was there a secret marriage?” “None.” “No legal papers or certificates?” “None.” “Then I fail to follow your Majesty If this young person should produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is she to prove their authenticity?” “There is the writing.” “Pooh, pooh Forgery.” “My private note-paper.” “Stolen.” “My own seal.” “Imitated.” “My photograph.” “Bought.” “We were both in the photograph.” “Oh, dear Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion.” “I was mad—insane.” “You have compromised yourself seriously.” “I was only Crown Prince then I am but thirty now.” “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 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 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 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 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 “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 “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 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