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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 home 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 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。〃
3
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。〃
〃Then； come。 I am all impatience to be gone。〃
〃We must have a cab。〃
〃No； my brougham is waiting。〃
〃Then that will simplify matters。〃 We descended and started off once
more for Briony Lodge。
〃Irene Adler is married；〃 remarked Holmes。
〃Married！ When？〃
〃Yesterday。〃
〃But to whom？〃
〃To an English lawyer named Norton。〃
〃But she co