became entangled with this young person, and is now desirous of getting those letters back. Precisely so. - Was there a secret marriage? - None. No legal papers or certificates? - None. - Letter, maybe? How is she to prove their authenticity? - There is the writing. - Forgery. - My private note-paper. - Stolen. - My own seal. - Imitated. My photograph. Bought. - I found it! - Read it. Irene Adler. Born in New Jersey in the year 1858. American. Contralto! La Scala! Prima donna Imperial Opera of Warsaw. Retired from operatic stage. Living in London. It's important. The photograph could have been bought. We were both in the photograph. That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion. I was mad. You have compromised yourself seriously. Here it is. She has the second copy. I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. You were very handsome. I am but thirty now. It must be recovered. We have tried and failed. It must be bought. She will not sell. Stolen, then. 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. No sign of it? Absolutely none. It is quite a pretty little problem. And what does she propose to do with the photograph? To ruin me. I am about to be married. To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end. And Irene Adler? Threatens to send them the photograph. You are sure that she has not sent it yet? - I am sure. - And why? She will send it on the day when the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Count Von Kramm. Drop me a line to let me know how you progress. Then, as to money? - You have carte blanche. - Absolutely? I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to have that photograph. And for present expenses? Thank you, sir. Who is he? A lawyer. Who is at law here? Nobody. This is Mr. Godfrey Norton. He came to his woman. She has turned his head down in that part. A very sly one. She is a tasty morsel in the world. She is a singer. We know such women. She lives quietly, sings at concerts. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for dinner. Drive like the devil, first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes! Yes, sir. To the Church of St. Monica. Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes! Stop! To the Church of St. Monica. Half a sovereign if you do it in twenty minutes! Thank God. You'll do. What then? Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal. Be our witness, I beg you. I shall want your cooperation. I shall be delighted. - You don't mind breaking the law? - Not in the least. Nor running a chance of arrest? Not in a good cause. Oh, the cause is excellent! Excellent! - Great, Watson. - I am your man. I was sure that I might rely on you. But what is it you wish? - What time is it? - It is nearly five now. Nearly five now. In two hours we must be on the scene of action. - At Briony Lodge? - Exactly. Miss Irene, or Mrs. Adler, rather - returns from her drive at seven. - And what then? - I will meet her. - Very good. You must not interfere, come what may. You understand? I am to be neutral? To do nothing whatever. And the matter is... Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to that open window. Yes. Raise the cry of fire. it will be taken up by people. You may then walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten minutes. You ------------------------------ Читайте также: - текст Остров на английском - текст ДМБ на английском - текст Чудо на 34-й улице на английском - текст Жмурики на английском - текст На экзамене-то я провалился... на английском |