, and without either

recent services to one of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which can hardl

," I remarked. "What do y

data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of

writing, and the paper

ring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper could not be bo

aid Holmes. "It is not an English pa

l "g," a "P," and a large "G" with a smal

make of that?

ker, no doubt; or h

at our Continental Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the

s made in Boh

ved.' A Frenchman or Russian could not have written that. It is the German who is so uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover what is want

hoofs and grating wheels against the curb, foll

ndow. "A nice little brougham and a pair of beauties. A hundred and fifty gu

I had better

ost without my Boswell. And this promises to b

our cl

may he. Here he comes. Sit down in that armc

stairs and in the passage, paused immediately outside

n!" sai

rs was lined with flame-colored silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across t

ly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He look

colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough t

entleman, your friend, is a man of honor and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter o

back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may

ute secrecy for two years; at the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At present

se," sai

nd

n who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you, and I may confess at

of it," said

ht grow to be an immense scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Europe.

ed Holmes, settling himself down i

who had been no doubt depicted to him as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agen

state your case," he remarked, "I s

Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon t

was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Orm

u can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could no

said Holmes, shuttin

gthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the wellknown

s concerning men and things, so that it was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not at once furnish information. In this case I

Opera of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became

ly so. B

a secret

on

apers or ce

on

rson should produce her letters for blackmailing or o

is the

pooh! F

ate note

ole

own

ita

hotog

ugh

th in the p

d! Your Majesty has indeed

mad--

romised yourse

nce then. I was young

t be re

tried and

must pay. It m

ill no

en, t