A masked giant climbs the stairs of 221B with a German accent and a secret that could shake the thrones of Europe — and Holmes has already guessed who he is. (Abridged.)
Dr. Watson (narrator) To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name. And yet there was but one woman to him, and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable memory. Dr. Watson (narrator) One night—it was on the twentieth of March, 1888—I was returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which had formerly been in part my own. Dr. Watson (narrator) He threw over a sheet of thick, pink-tinted notepaper which had been lying open upon the table. Sherlock Holmes It came by the last post, Dr. Watson (narrator) said he. Sherlock Holmes Read it aloud. Dr. Watson (narrator) The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Dr. Watson (narrator) There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight o’clock, it said, a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a matter of the very deepest moment. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask. Dr. Watson (narrator) This is indeed a mystery, I remarked. What do you imagine that it means? Sherlock Holmes calmly I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.Dr. Watson (narrator) As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses’ hoofs and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bell. Holmes whistled. Sherlock Holmes A pair, by the sound, Dr. Watson (narrator) said he. Sherlock Holmes There’s money in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else. Dr. Watson (narrator) I think that I had better go, Holmes. Sherlock Holmes Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Boswell. Dr. Watson (narrator) A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there was a loud and authoritative tap. Sherlock Holmes Come in! Dr. Watson (narrator) said Holmes. Dr. Watson (narrator) A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. The King of Bohemia You had my note? Dr. Watson (narrator) he asked with a deep harsh voice and a strongly marked German accent. The King of Bohemia I told you that I would call. Dr. Watson (narrator) He looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to address. Sherlock Holmes Pray take a seat, Dr. Watson (narrator) said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes Whom have I the honour to address? The King of Bohemia You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. The King of Bohemia You will excuse this mask, Dr. Watson (narrator) continued our strange visitor. The King of Bohemia The august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have just called myself is not exactly my own. Sherlock Holmes calmly I was aware of it,Dr. Watson (narrator) said Holmes dryly. Sherlock Holmes impatiently If your Majesty would condescend to state your case,Dr. Watson (narrator) he remarked, Sherlock Holmes I should be better able to advise you. Dr. Watson (narrator) 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. The King of Bohemia shouting You are right,Dr. Watson (narrator) he cried; The King of Bohemia I am the King. Why should I attempt to conceal it? Sherlock Holmes Why, indeed? Dr. Watson (narrator) murmured Holmes. Sherlock Holmes Your Majesty had not spoken before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hereditary King of Bohemia. The King of Bohemia 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. Sherlock Holmes 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. The King of Bohemia Precisely so. But how— Sherlock Holmes Was there a secret marriage? The King of Bohemia None. Sherlock Holmes No legal papers or certificates? The King of Bohemia None. Sherlock Holmes 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? The King of Bohemia There is the writing. Sherlock Holmes Pooh, pooh! Forgery. The King of Bohemia My private note-paper. Sherlock Holmes Stolen. The King of Bohemia My own seal. Sherlock Holmes Imitated. The King of Bohemia My photograph. Sherlock Holmes Bought. The King of Bohemia We were both in the photograph. Sherlock Holmes surprised Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion.The King of Bohemia dejected I was mad—insane.Sherlock Holmes Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought. The King of Bohemia She will not sell. Sherlock Holmes Stolen, then. The King of Bohemia Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice she has been waylaid. There has been no result. Dr. Watson (narrator) Holmes laughed. Sherlock Holmes chuckles It is quite a pretty little problem,Dr. Watson (narrator) said he. The King of Bohemia But a very serious one to me, Dr. Watson (narrator) returned the King reproachfully. Sherlock Holmes Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the photograph? The King of Bohemia To ruin me. Sherlock Holmes But how? The King of Bohemia I am about to be married. Sherlock Holmes So I have heard. The King of Bohemia To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the King of Scandinavia. A shadow of a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end. Sherlock Holmes And Irene Adler? The King of Bohemia fearful Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I know that she will do it. 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. Rather than I should marry another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not go—none.Sherlock Holmes Then, as to money? The King of Bohemia You have carte blanche. Sherlock Holmes Absolutely? The King of Bohemia earnestly I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to have that photograph.Sherlock Holmes Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson, Dr. Watson (narrator) he added, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street.
Dr. Watson (narrator)
Sherlock Holmes
The King of Bohemia
