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prepared for the new role I have to play。〃
He disappeared into his bedroom； and returned in a few minutes in
the character of an amiable and simple…minded Nonconformist
clergyman。 His broad； black hat； his baggy trousers； his white
tie； his sympathetic smile； and general look of peering and
benevolent curiosity were such as Mr。 John Hare alone could have
equaled。 It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume。 His
expression； his manner； his very soul seemed to vary with every
fresh part that he assumed。 The stage lost a fine actor； even as
science lost an acute reasoner； when he became a specialist in
crime。
It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street； and it still
wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in
Serpentine Avenue。 It was already dusk； and the lamps were just
being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge；
waiting for the coming of its occupant。 The house was just such as
I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes's succinct description； but
the locality appeared to be less private than I expected。 On the
contrary； for a small street in a quiet neighborhood； it was
remarkably animated。 There was a group of shabbily dressed men
smoking and laughing in a corner； a scissors grinder with his
wheel； two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse girl； and
several well…dressed young men who were lounging up and down with
cigars in their mouths。
〃You see；〃 remarked Holmes； as we paced to and fro in front of the
house； 〃this marriage rather simplifies matters。 The photograph
becomes a double…edged weapon now。 The chances are that she would
be as averse to its being seen by Mr。 Godfrey Norton as our client
is to its coming to the eyes of his princess。 Now the question is
where are we to find the photograph？〃
〃Where； indeed？〃
〃It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her。 It is
cabinet size。 Too large for easy concealment about a woman's
dress。 She knows that the king is capable of having her waylaid
and searched。 Two attempts of the sort have already been made。 We
may take it； then； that she does not carry it about with her。〃
〃Where； then？〃
〃Her banker or her lawyer。 There is that double possibility。 But
I am inclined to think neither。 Women are naturally secretive； and
they like to do their own secreting。 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 bear upon a business man。 Besides； remember that she
had resolved to use it within a few days。 It must be where she can
lay her hands upon it。 It must be in her own house。〃
〃But it has twice been burglarized。〃
〃Pshaw！ They did not know how to look。〃
〃But how will you look？〃
〃I will not look。〃
〃What then？〃
〃I will get her to show me。〃
〃But she will refuse。〃
〃She will not be able to。 But I hear the rumble of wheels。 It is
her carriage。 Now carry out my orders to the letter。〃
As he spoke； the gleam of the sidelights of a carriage came round
the curve of the avenue。 It was a smart little landau which
rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge。 As it pulled up one of the
loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the
hope of earning a copper； but was elbowed away by another loafer
who had rushed up with the same intention。 A fierce quarrel broke
out which was increased by the two guardsmen； who took sides 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 center of a little
knot of 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 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 ball；
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 the 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 borne 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 lighted； 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 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 illgentlemen； hostlers； and servant maidsjoined 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 led toward 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。〃