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Temple to see my husband。
We both thought the best resource was flight； when pursued by so
formidable an antagonist； so you will find the nest empty when you
call to…morrow。 As to the photograph； your client may rest in peace。 I
love and am loved by a better man than he。 The King may do what he
will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wronged。 I keep it
only to safeguard myself； and to preserve a weapon which will always
secure me from any steps which he might take in the future。 I leave
a photograph which he might care to possess； and I remain； dear Mr。
Sherlock Holmes；
Very truly yours；
Irene Norton； nee Adler。
〃What a woman… oh； what a woman！〃 cried the King of Bohemia； when we
had all three read this epistle。 〃Did I not tell you how quick and
resolute she was？ 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 coldly。 〃I am sorry
that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business to a more
successful conclusion。〃
〃On the contrary； my dear sir；〃 cried the King； 〃nothing could be
more successful。 I know that her word is inviolate。 The photograph
is now as safe as if it were in the fire。〃
〃I am glad to hear your Majesty say so。〃
〃I am immensely indebted to you。 Pray tell me in what way I 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 amazement。
〃Irene's photograph！〃 he cried。 〃Certainly； if you wish it。〃
〃I thank your Majesty。 Then there is no more to be done in the
matter。 I have the honour to wish you a very good…morning。〃 He
bowed； and； turning away without 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 threatened to affect the kingdom of
Bohemia； and how the best plans of Mr。 Sherlock Holmes were beaten
by a woman's wit。 He used to make merry over the cleverness of
women； but I have not heard him do it of late。 And when he speaks of
Irene Adler； or when he refers to her photograph； it is always under
the honourable title of the woman。
…THE END…
。