The adventures of Sherlock Holmes

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

, 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

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

d and laughed again until he was obliged to

t is

could never guess how I employed my

have been watching the habits, and pe

e 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 preposter

bing 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

f Irene Adl

er. 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 advan

ess? 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

ng you closel

markably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached- evidently the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a great hurry

ould see nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Driv

coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she

she cried, 'and half a sovereign

ame through the street. The driver looked twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, '

ed into the church. There was not a soul there save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three standing in a knot in front of the altar.

cried. 'You'll

then?'

nly three minutes, o

nd there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just now. It seems that there had been some informality ab

ted turn of affairs," s

c measures on my part. At the church door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the

ch a

I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to be busier st

l be de

mind breaki

n the

g a chance

a good

cause is

am you

that I might

t is it

our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must

what

is to occur. There is only one point on which I must insi

o be ne

n it. It will end in my being conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards t

es

me, for I will b

es

room what I give you to throw, and will, at the sam

tir

with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, it will be taken up by qui

u, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise

cise

ay entirely

ps, it is almost time that I prepa

his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His expre

r the coming of its occupant. The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was remarkably a

tograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Nor

e, in

nt about a woman's dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched. Two atte

re,

. 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 bea

s twice be

did not know

will yo

l not

t th

et her to

e will

e rumble of wheels. It is her carriage.

s 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 free

ntleman much hu

," cried se

uted another. "But he'll be gone b

the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They

he street. May we

itting-room. There is a comfo

er 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 injure

pectators, 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. Slippi

" he remarked. "Nothing could ha

e the ph

where

did you f

e, as I told

ill in t

r was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the

ssed a

the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand

o I could

h was the very room which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was determined to see which.

that he

x. 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

ow?" I

us. We will be shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is probable that when she comes she may

n will y

ar field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage may mean a comple

ed at the door. He was searching his pock

Mister Sher

he time, but the greeting appeared to come fro

, staring down the dimly lit street. "Now,