a scandal in bohemia-第3章

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with　a　garden　at　the　back；　but　built　out　in　front　right　up　to　the

road；　two　stories。　Chubb　lock　to　the　door。　Large　sitting…room　on　the

right　side；　well　furnished；　with　long　windows　almost　to　the　floor；　and

those　preposterous　English　window　fasteners　which　a　child　could

open。　Behind　there　was　nothing　remarkable；　save　that　the　passage

window　could　be　reached　from　the　top　of　the　coach…house。　I　walked

round　it　and　examined　it　closely　from　every　point　of　view；　but　without

noting　anything　else　of　interest。

　　〃I　then　lounged　down　the　street　and　found；　as　I　expected；　that　there

was　a　mews　in　a　lane　which　runs　down　by　one　wall　of　the　garden。　I　lent

the　ostlers　a　hand　in　rubbing　down　their　horses；　and　received　in

exchange　twopence；　a　glass　of　half　and　half；　two　fills　of　shag

tobacco；　and　as　much　information　as　I　could　desire　about　Miss　Adler；

to　say　nothing　of　half　a　dozen　other　people　in　the　neighbourhood　in

whom　I　was　not　in　the　least　interested；　but　whose　biographies　I　was

compelled　to　listen　to。〃

　　〃And　what　of　Irene　Adler？〃　I　asked。

　　〃Oh；　she　has　turned　all　the　men's　heads　down　in　that　part。　She　is

the　daintiest　thing　under　a　bonnet　on　this　planet。　So　say　the

Serpentine…mews；　to　a　man。　She　lives　quietly；　sings　at　concerts；

drives　out　at　five　every　day；　and　returns　at　seven　sharp　for　dinner。

Seldom　goes　out　at　other　times；　except　when　she　sings。　Has　only　one

male　visitor；　but　a　good　deal　of　him。　He　is　dark；　handsome；　and

dashing；　never　calls　less　than　once　a　day；　and　often　twice。　He　is　a

Mr。　Godfrey　Norton；　of　the　Inner　Temple。　See　the　advantages　of　a

cabman　as　a　confidant。　they　had　driven　him　home　a　dozen　times　from

Serpentine…mews；　and　knew　all　about　him。　When　I　had　listened　to　all

they　had　to　tell；　I　began　to　walk　up　and　down　near　Briony　Lodge　once

more；　and　to　think　over　my　plan　of　campaign。

　　〃This　Godfrey　Norton　was　evidently　an　important　factor　in　the

matter。　He　was　a　lawyer。　That　sounded　ominous。　What　was　the　relation

between　them；　and　what　the　object　of　his　repeated　visits？　Was　she

his　client；　his　friend；　or　his　mistress？　If　the　former；　she　had

probably　transferred　the　photograph　to　his　keeping。　If　the　latter；

it　was　less　likely。　On　the　issue　of　this　question　depended　whether　I

should　continue　my　work　at　Briony　Lodge；　or　turn　my　attention　to　the

gentleman's　chambers　in　the　Temple。　It　was　a　delicate　point　and　it

widened　the　field　of　my　inquiry。　I　fear　that　I　bore　you　with　these

details；　but　I　have　to　let　you　see　my　little　difficulties；　if　you

are　to　understand　the　situation。〃

　　〃I　am　following　you　closely；〃　I　answered。

　　〃I　was　still　balancing　the　matter　in　my　mind　when　a　hansom　cab　drove

up　to　Briony　Lodge；　and　a　gentleman　sprang　out。　He　was　a　remarkably

handsome　man；　dark；　aquiline；　and　moustached…　evidently　the　man　of

whom　I　had　heard。　He　appeared　to　be　in　a　great　hurry；　shouted　to　the

cabman　to　wait；　and　brushed　past　the　maid　who　opened　the　door　with　the

air　of　a　man　who　was　thoroughly　at　home。

　　〃He　was　in　the　house　about　half　an　hour；　and　I　could　catch

glimpses　of　him　in　the　windows　of　the　sitting…room；　pacing　up　and

down；　talking　excitedly；　and　waving　his　arms。　Of　her　I　could　see

nothing。　Presently　he　emerged；　looking　even　more　flurried　than　before。

As　he　stepped　up　to　the　cab；　he　pulled　a　gold　watch　from　his　pocket

and　looked　at　it　earnestly；　‘Drive　like　the　devil；'　he　shouted；　‘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！'

　　〃Away　they　went；　and　I　was　just　wondering　whether　I　should　not　do

well　to　follow　them　when　up　the　lane　came　a　neat　little　landau；　the

coachman　with　his　coat　only　half…buttoned；　and　his　tie　under　his

ear；　while　all　the　tags　of　his　harness　were　sticking　out　of　the

buckles。　It　hadn't　pulled　up　before　she　shot　out　of　the　hall　door

and　into　it。　I　only　caught　a　glimpse　of　her　at　the　moment；　but　she　was

a　lovely　woman；　with　a　face　that　a　man　might　die　for。

　　〃‘The　Church　of　St。　Monica；　John；'　she　cried；　‘and　half　a

sovereign　if　you　reach　it　in　twenty　minutes。'

　　〃This　was　quite　too　good　to　lose；　Watson。　I　was　just　balancing

whether　I　should　run　for　it；　or　whether　I　should　perch　behind　her

landau　when　a　cab　came　through　the　street。　The　driver　looked　twice

at　such　a　shabby　fare；　but　I　jumped　in　before　he　could　object。　‘The

Church　of　St。　Monica；'　said　I；　‘and　half　a　sovereign　if　you　reach　it

in　twenty　minutes。'　It　was　twenty…five　minutes　to　twelve；　and　of

course　it　was　clear　enough　what　was　in　the　wind。

　　〃My　cabby　drove　fast。　I　don't　think　I　ever　drove　faster；　but　the

others　were　there　before　us。　The　cab　and　the　landau　with　their

steaming　horses　were　in　front　of　the　door　when　I　arrived。　I　paid　the

man　and　hurried　into　the　church。　There　was　not　a　soul　there　save　the

two　whom　I　had　followed　and　a　surpliced　clergyman；　who　seemed　to　be

expostalating　with　them。　They　were　all　three　standing　in　a　knot　in

front　of　the　altar。　I　lounged　up　the　side　aisle　like　any　other　idler

who　has　dropped　into　a　church。　Suddenly；　to　my　surprise；　the　three

at　the　altar　faced　round　to　me；　and　Godfrey　Norton　came　running　as

hard　as　he　could　towards　me。

　　〃‘Thank　God；'　he　cried。　‘You'll　do。　Come！　Come！'

　　〃‘What　then？'　I　asked。

　　〃‘Come；　man；　come；　only　three　minutes；　or　it　won't　be　legal。'

　　〃I　was　half…dragged　up　to　the　altar；　and　before　I　knew　where　I　was　I

found　myself　mumbling　responses　which　were　whispered　in　my　ear；　and

vouching　for　things　of　which　I　knew　nothing；　and　generally　assisting

in　the　secure　tying　up　of　Irene　Adler；　spinster；　to　Godfrey　Norton；

bachelor。　It　was　all　done　in　an　instant；　and　there　was　the　gentleman

thanking　me　on　the　one　side　and　the　lady　on　the　other；　while　the

clergyman　beamed　on　me　in　front。　It　was　the　most　preposterous　position

in　which　I　ever　found　myself　in　my　life；　and　it　was　the　thought　of

it　that　started　me　laughing　just　now。　It　seems　that　there　had　been

some　informality　about　their　license；　that　the　clergyman　absolutely

refused　to　marry　them　without　a　witness　of　some　sort；　and　that　my

lucky　appearance　saved　the　bridegroom　from　having　to　sally　out　into

the　streets　in　search　of　a　best　man。　The　bride　gave　me　a　sovereign；

and　I　mean　to　wear　it　on　my　watch…chain　in　memory　of　the　occasion。〃

　　〃This　is　a　very　unexpected　turn　of　affairs；〃　said　I；　〃and　what

then？〃

　　〃Well；　I　found　my　plans　very　seriously　menaced。　It　looked　as　if

the　pair　might　take　an　immediate　departure；　and　so　necessitate　very

prompt　and　energetic　measures　on　my　part。　At　the　church　door；　however；

they　separated；　he　driving　back　to　the　Temple；　and　she　to　her　own

house。　‘I　shall　drive　out　in　the　park　at　five　as　usual；'　she　said　as

she　left　him。　I　heard　no　more。　They　drove　away　in　different

directions；　and　I　went　off　to　make　my　own　arrangements。〃

　　〃Which　are？〃

　　〃Some　cold　beef　and　a　glass　of　beer；〃　he　answered；　ringing　the　bell。

〃I　have　been　too　busy　to　think　of　food；　and　I　am　likely　to　be　busier

still　this　evening。　By　the　way；　Doctor；　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！〃

　　〃Then　I　am　your　man。〃

　　〃I　was　sure　that　I　might　rely　on　you。〃

　　〃But　what　is　it　you　wish？〃

　　〃When　Mrs。　Turner　has　brought　in　the　tray　I　will　make　it　clear　to

you。　Now；〃　he　said　as　he　turned　hungrily　on　the　simple　fare　that　our

landlady　had　provided；　〃I　must　discuss　it　while　I　eat；　for　I　have

not　much　time。　It　is　nearly　five　now。　In　two　hours　we　must　be　on　the

scene　of　action。　Miss　Irene；　or　Madame；　rather；　returns　from　her　drive

at　seven。　We　must　be　at　Briony　Lodge　to　meet　her。〃

　　〃And　what　then？〃

　　〃You　must　leave　that　to　me。　I　have　already　arranged　what　is　to

occur。　There　is　only　one　point　on　which　I　must　insist。　You　must　not

interfere；　come　what　may。　You　understand？〃

　　〃I　am　to　be　neutral？〃

　　〃To　do　nothing　whatever。　There　will　probably　be　some　small

unpleasantness。　Do　not　join　in　it。　It　will　end　in　my　being　conveyed

into　the　house。　Four　or　five　minutes　afterwards　the　sitting…room

window　will　open。　You　are　to　station　yourself　close　to　that　open

window。〃

　　〃Yes。〃

　　〃You　are　to　watch　me；　for　I　will　be　visible　to　you。〃

　　〃Yes。〃

　　〃And　when　I　raise　my　hand…　so…　you　will　throw　into　the　room　what　I

give　you　to　throw；　and　will；　at　the　same　time；　raise　the　cry　of

fire。　You　quite　follow　me？〃

　　〃Entirely。〃

　　〃It　is　nothing　very　formidable；〃　he　said；　taking　a　long　cigar…shaped

roll　from　his　pocket。　〃It　is　an　ordinary　plumber's　smoke…rocket；

fitted　with　a　cap　at　either　end　to　make　it　self…lighting。　Your　task　is

confined　to　that。　When　you　raise　your　cry　of　fire；　it　will　be　taken　up

by　quite　a　number　of　people。　You　may　then　walk　to　the　end　of　the

street；　and　I　will　rejoin　you　in　ten　minutes。　I　hope　that　I　have

made　myself　clear？〃

　　〃I　am　to　remain　neutral；　to　get　near　the　window；　to　watch　you；　and

at　the　signal　to　throw　in　this　object；　then　to　raise　the　cry　of

fire；　and　to　wait　you　at　the　corner　of　the　street。〃

　　〃Precisely。〃

　　〃Then　you　may　entirely　rely　on　me。〃

　　〃That　is　excellent。　I　think；　perhaps；　it　is　almost　time　that　I

prepare　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　equalled。　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　neighbourhood；　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。　I