The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-18

slept at Baker street that night; and
fee in the morning when the king of Bo-
hernia rushed into the room.
graspi spin "a Sherlock H f Holm s by either
shoulder, and looking eagerly into his
face.
But you have hopes?"
II have hopes"
"Then come. I am all Impotence to be
1--WE must have a cab"
mo, my brougham is waiting
'"Then that will simplify matters" We
descended and started off once more for
Irene Adler is married" remarked
Married; When?"
10 an English lawyer named Norton"
u. But she could not love him.
"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 ma
jesty. there is no reason why she should.
Interfere with your majesty's plan:
She bad is b r9s Of And y oTn st M wish Wish
a queen she would have made!'' He re-
| lapsed into a moody silence, which was
not broken until we drew up in serpen-
| The door of Briony Lodge was open,
! and an elderly woman stood upon the
| steps. She watched us with a sardonio
"Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believer said
II am Mr.. Holmes" answered my com
| panion looking at her with a questioning
| and rather startled gaze.
| Indeed! My mistress told me that you
we, were likely to call. She left this morn
1 Nr MOI
| What Sherlock Holmes staggered
back, white with chagrin and surprise.
DO you mean that she has left Eng
! Never to return"
And the Ra p 1ast asked the king
servant. and rushed into the drawing
ROOM, followed by the king and myself
me furniture was scattered about in
every yn erection a with dsmantled shelves
riedly ransacked them before her flight
Holmes; rushed at the bell-pull. tore back
his hand; pulled out photograph and a
letter. The photograph was of Irene Ad-
Ter herself in evening dress, the letter was
S%pe 6n 9gft tiu to Sherlock Holmes ESD
It open, and we all three read it together
! 1t was dated at midnight of the preced-
ing night and ran in this way:
:. My Dear Mr.. Sherlock Holmes: You really did
after the alarm of fire, had not a suspicion.
But them when found how 1 had betrayed my
against you months ago. ] had been told that.
If 1.-THE the king employed an agent. it would GER
me. Yet with ali this. yon made me- reveal what
you wanted to know. Even after 1 became
picS an found s it lard to think evil Of such
have been trained as an actress myself Male
eantaee Of e nsw take s
John, the coachman. to watch you, ran upstairs,
got into my walking clothes as 1 call them. and
Well followed you to your door, and SO made
sure that I was really an object of interest to
rather imprudenty. wished you good night. and
started for the Temple to see my husband.
We both thought the best resource was dight.
when pursued by SO formidable an antagonist: so
you will find the nest empty, when you call
tomorrow. AS to the photograph. your client may
rest in peace. l love and am loved by better
man than he. The king may do what he win
without hindrance from one whom he has cruelty
e W
cure me from any steps which he might take In
might mis- care care to possess And remain, dear Mr.
Sherlock Holmes, very truly yours.
.. Irene Norton. nee Adler
What woman-oh what a woman"
cried the king Of Bohemia, when we had
all three read this epistle. did not tell
you how quick and resolute she vase
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 cold
ly. II am sorry that have not been
, able to bring your majesty's business to a
more successful conclusion"
, ION the contrary, my dear sir. cried
the king, nothing could be more sue
cessful I know that her word is invio-
late, The photograph is now as safe as
If it were in the fire
I II am glad to hear your majesty say
: so.''
81 am immensely Indebted to you. Pray
!, tell me in what way 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 amazemenr.
r ''Irene's photograph he cried. Ger
. tainly. If you wish it."
II thank your majesty. Then there is
: no more to be done in the matter have
0 the honor to wish you a very good morn
r Ing" He bowed, and, turning away with
| out 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
q threatened to affect the kingdom of Bo-
b hernia, and how the best plans of Mr..
t Sherlock Holmes were beaten by Wom-
, ans wit. He used to make merry over
= the cleverness of women, but l have not
heard him do it Of late. And when he
t refers to her photograph, it is always
h nm or the hnn0rc Ila title of tfe woman