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众所周知，柯南·道尔笔下的神探夏洛克·福尔摩斯的推理破案才能让人拍案叫绝，用他的亲密伙伴华生医生的话来说，“他简直是世界上一架用于推理和观察的最完美无瑕的机器。”不过“智者千虑，总有一失”，就算是才华横溢、心思缜密的神探福尔摩斯也难免会有“棋差一着”的时候，而且这回他的对手还是一位传奇的女性。在福尔摩斯心目中，这位女士才貌超群，相比之下，其他女人无不黯然失色。每当他说到这位女士或者提及她的那张照片时，他总是用“那个女人”来称呼她……大家是不是很好奇这位令神探福尔摩斯钦佩不已的女士究竟是谁呢？赶紧一起来看看吧！
Arthur Conan Doyle（阿瑟·柯南·道尔，1859—1930）英国杰出的侦探小说家、剧作家，被誉为英国“侦探小说之父”。 1876年至1881年间，他在爱丁堡大学学习医学，毕业后作为一名随船医生前往西非海岸，1882年回国后在普利茅斯开业行医，在此期间道尔开始写作。他的第一部重要作品是发表在Beeton’s Christmas Annual for 1887（《1887年比顿圣诞年刊》）上的侦探小说A Study in Scarlet（《血字的研究》），这部小说的主角就是之后名声大噪的夏洛克·福尔摩斯。道尔一生一共写了56篇短篇侦探小说以及4部中篇侦探小说，包括《冒险史》系列、《新探案》系列、《四签名》等，全部以福尔摩斯为主角。除此之外，他还曾写过多部其他类型的小说，如科幻小说、爱情小说、戏剧、诗歌等。与同时代的很多作家不同，道尔的短篇小说画面感非常强，冲突设置集中，情节跌宕，引人入胜，使读者仿佛在读电影故事。本文节选自其短篇小说《波西米亚丑闻》，因篇幅所限，有删节。
——Maisie
【前情提要：波希米亚的世袭国王就要与斯堪的纳维亚的公主举行婚礼了，而这位背负着伟大的奥姆斯坦家族荣誉的国王年轻时曾与大名鼎鼎的女冒险家、华沙帝国歌剧院首席女歌手艾琳·艾德勒有过一段浪漫情史。因担心艾琳会把两人的一张合照公诸于世，从而使自己陷入严重的丑闻之中，他化名为冯·克拉姆伯爵，找到了福尔摩斯，请他从艾琳·艾德勒手中取回该照片……】
(I)
A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a 2)Hercules. His dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad taste. Boots which extended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of3)barbaric opulence which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black 4)vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered.
“You had my note?” he asked with a deep harsh voice and a strongly marked German accent. “I told you that I would call.” He looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to address.
“5)Pray take a seat,” said Holmes. “This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in my cases. Whom have I the honor to address?”
“You may address me as the 6)Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honor and7)discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate with you alone.”
I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me back into my chair. “It is both, or none,” said he. “You may say before this gentleman anything which you may say to me.”
The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. “Then I must begin,” said he, “by 8)binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it may have an influence upon European history.”
“I promise,” said Holmes.
“And I.”
“You will excuse this mask,” continued our strange visitor. “The 9)august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have just called myself is not exactly my own.”
“I was aware of it,” said Holmes 10)dryly.
“The circumstances are of great 11)delicacy, and every precaution has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense scandal and seriously 12)compromise one of the reigning families of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of Ormstein, 13)hereditary kings of Bohemia.”
“I was also aware of that,” murmured Holmes, settling himself down in his armchair and closing his eyes.
Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the 14)languid, 15)lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him as the most 16)incisive reasoner and most energetic 17)agent in Europe. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his gigantic client. “If your 18)Majesty would 19)condescend to state your case,” he remarked, “I should be better able to advise you.”
The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in uncontrollable 20)agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. “You are right,” he cried; “I am the King. Why should I attempt to conceal it?”
“Why, indeed?” murmured Holmes. “Your Majesty had not spoken before I was aware that I was addressing Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hereditary King of Bohemia.”
“But you can understand,” said our strange visitor, sitting down once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, “you can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not21)confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have come 22)incognito from 23)Prague for the purpose of consulting you.”
(II)
The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood upon the steps. She watched us with a 24)sardonic eye as we stepped from the 25)brougham.
“Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?” said she.
“I am Mr. Holmes,” answered my companion, looking at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze.
“Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Cross for the Continent.”
“What!” Sherlock Holmes 26)staggered back, white with 27)chagrin and surprise. “Do you mean that she has left England?”
“Never to return.”
“And the 28)papers?” asked the King 29)hoarsely. “All is lost.”
“We shall see.” He pushed past the servant and rushed into the 30)drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was scattered about in every direction, with 31)dismantled shelves and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly 32)ransacked them before her 33)flight. Holmes rushed at the 34)bell-pull, tore back a small sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler herself in evening dress, the letter was 35)superscribed to “Sherlock Holmes, 36)Esq. To be left till called for.” My friend tore it open and we all three read it together. It was ran in this way:
“MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,—You really did it very well. You 37)took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind old 38)clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the 39)coachman, to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, and came down just as you departed. Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes…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 ADLER.”
“What a woman—oh, what a woman!” cried the King of Bohemia. “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 40)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 41)indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward you. This ring—” He slipped an 42)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 honor to wish you a very good-morning.” He bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the King had stretched out to him…
（一）
一个男人走了进来，他的身高不下于6.5英尺（约1.98米），胸膛宽阔，四肢有力。他的衣着华丽，但在英国这地方那华美的装束显得有点近乎俗气。他脚上穿着一双高至小腿肚的皮靴，靴口上镶着深棕色毛皮。他整个外表本来就给人一种粗野奢华的印象，而这靴子更是着墨一笔。他手里拿着一顶大檐帽，脸的上半部戴着一张盖过颧骨的黑色伪装面具。显然他刚刚整理过面具，因为进屋时他的手还停留在面具上。
“你收到我的条子了吗？”他问道，声音深沉、沙哑，带着浓重的德国口音。“我告诉过你我要来拜访的。”他目光在我们两人之间游移，好像拿不准要对着谁说话似的。
“请坐，”福尔摩斯说道，“这位是我的朋友和同事——华生医生。他不时帮助我办案子。请问，我应该怎么称呼您？”
“你可以称呼我为冯·克拉姆伯爵。我是波希米亚的一名贵族。我想这位先生——你的朋友，是位值得尊敬且审慎的人，这件事关重大的事情让他知道也无碍吧。否则，我还是希望跟你单独交谈。”
我站起来要走，但福尔摩斯抓住了我的手腕，把我拽回到椅子里。“要说就对我们两个一起说，否则就免谈，”他对来客说道，“能跟我谈的，在这位先生面前也可以尽管谈。”
伯爵耸了耸他那宽阔的肩膀。“那么我首先得跟你们二位立约，替我在两年内绝对保密；两年后这件事就无关紧要了。而目前，可以毫不夸张地说，事情之重要，也许可以影响整个欧洲历史的进程。”他说道。
“我保证保密，”福尔摩斯答道。
“我也是。”
“这面具你们不介意吧，”我们这位陌生怪客继续说道，“派我来的贵人不愿意让你们知道他派来的使者是谁，我可以现在就坦白，我刚才所说的称呼并不是我自己真正的名字。”
“这我知道，”福尔摩斯冷冷地答道。
“情况十分棘手。我们必须采取一切预防措施，尽力防止事情演变成一桩大丑闻，进而使一个欧洲王族的形象遭到严重损害。坦率地说，这件事牵涉到伟大的奥姆斯坦家族——波希米亚的世袭国王。”
“这个我也知道，”福尔摩斯喃喃低语道，随即他坐到扶手椅里，闭上了眼睛。
在来客的心目中，福尔摩斯无疑曾被描述为欧洲分析问题最透彻的推理者和精力最充沛的侦探。此时，我们的来客不禁用一种明显很惊讶的目光扫了一眼面前这个无精打采而懒洋洋地瘫坐椅子上的人。福尔摩斯慢条斯理地重新张开双眼，不耐烦地看着他那身材魁伟的委托人。“要是陛下肯屈尊将案情阐明，”他说道，“那我将能更好地为您效劳。”
这人从椅子里猛地站了起来，激动难控地在屋子里踱来踱去。接着，急迫无奈地把脸上的面具扯下扔到地上。“你说对了，”他大声说道，“我就是那个国王，但我为什么想隐瞒呢？”
“是的，为什么呢？”福尔摩斯喃喃低语道，“陛下还没开口，我就知道自己面前的是卡斯尔－费尔施泰因大公、波希米亚的世袭国王。”
“但是你能理解，”我们那怪客又重新坐下来，用手摸了一下他那又高又白的前额说道，“你能理解我是不惯于亲自办这种事的。可是这件事太棘手了，根本不可能假手于人，让别人知道了，这件事就会成为把柄让我任人摆布。我是为了求助于你才化名从布拉格来此的。”
（二）
布里翁尼府第的大门敞开着，一位老妇站在台阶上。她目带轻蔑地看着我们从四轮马车里下来。
“我想是夏洛克·福尔摩斯先生吧？”她说道。
“我是福尔摩斯，”我的同伴疑惑而又有些惊愕地注视着她答道。
“真的！我的女主人告诉我你多半会来的。今天早晨她跟她的丈夫一起走了，他们乘五点十五分的火车从蔡林克罗斯到欧洲大陆去了。”
“什么！”夏洛克·福尔摩斯向后打了个趔趄，懊恼吃惊，脸色发白。“你是说她已经离开英国了吗？”
“再也不回来了。”
“那张照片呢？”国王声音嘶哑地问道，“一切都完了！”
“我们要看一下。”福尔摩斯推开仆人，奔进了客厅，国王和我紧跟在后面。屋里的家具四处散放着，架子拆了下来，抽屉被拉开，好像这位女士在离开前匆匆忙忙地翻箱倒柜搜索了一番似的。福尔摩斯冲到拉铃索处，拉开一扇小百叶窗，伸进手去，掏出一张照片和一封信。照片上艾琳·艾德勒本人穿着晚礼服。信封上写着：“夏洛 克·福尔摩斯先生，留交本人亲收。”我的朋友把信拆开，我们三个人一起读这封信。信中这样写道：
“我亲爱的夏洛克·福尔摩斯先生：你的确干得非常漂亮。你完全把我给骗过去了。直到发出火警以前，我也没起一点疑心。但是随后，当我发觉我已经如何泄露了自己的秘密时，我开始思索了。几个月以前，就有人警告我要防备你。他们告诉我说，要是国王雇侦探的话，那一定会是你。他们已经告诉我你的地址。可是尽管如此，你还是让我泄露了你要知道的秘密。甚至在我起了疑心之后，我还觉得很难相信那么一位和蔼可亲的老牧师其实是另有图谋的。但是，你知道的，我自己是个训练有素的女演员。男性服装对我而言并不陌生。我自己就常常借便女扮男装。我派马车夫约翰去监视你，然后跑上楼，穿上我的散步便服，我下楼来的时候，你正好离开。随后，我在后面跟着你走到你家门口，这样，我才肯定了自己真的是你这位著名的夏洛克·福尔摩斯先生的查探对象……至于那张照片，你的委托人可以放心。我爱着一位比他更好的人，而这个人也爱我。国王可以做任何他愿意做的事，而不必顾虑他曾残忍错待过的人会对他有什么妨碍。我保留那张照片，只是为了保护自己，为了保留一件武器——它将能始终保护我不会受到他将来可能带来的任何伤害。我留下一张照片，他也许想要。谨此向您——亲爱的夏洛克·福尔摩斯先生致意。艾琳·艾德勒敬上。”
“一个多么了不起的女人啊——噢，一个多么了不起的女人啊！”波希米亚国王大声说道，“我不是告诉过你们她是多么机敏和果断吗？假如她能当王后，那她也会是一位令人钦佩的王后。可是她和我地位悬殊，这多么令人遗憾啊！”
“从我在这位女士身上所看到的来说，她的确和陛下不在同一高度，”福尔摩斯冷冷地说道，“我很遗憾没能使陛下的事情得到一个更为圆满的结局。”
“恰恰相反，我亲爱的先生，”国王大声说道，“再没有任何结局比这个更为圆满的了。我知道她说话算数。那张照片现在如同它已经被烧掉一样使我感到放心了。”
“我很高兴听到陛下这么说。”
“我对你感激不尽。请告诉我该怎样酬答你才好。这枚戒指——”他从他的手指上取下一枚蛇形的翡翠戒指，托在手掌上。
“陛下有一件我认为甚至比这戒指更有价值的东西。”福尔摩斯说道。
“你尽管说。”
“这张照片！”
国王惊异地睁大眼睛凝视着他。
“艾琳的相片！”他大声说道。
“你要是想要的话，当然可以。”
“谢谢陛下。那么这件事就算办妥了吧。我谨祝您早安。”他鞠了个躬，然后转身离开，全然无视国王向其伸出的手……
Arthur Conan Doyle（阿瑟·柯南·道尔，1859—1930）英国杰出的侦探小说家、剧作家，被誉为英国“侦探小说之父”。 1876年至1881年间，他在爱丁堡大学学习医学，毕业后作为一名随船医生前往西非海岸，1882年回国后在普利茅斯开业行医，在此期间道尔开始写作。他的第一部重要作品是发表在Beeton’s Christmas Annual for 1887（《1887年比顿圣诞年刊》）上的侦探小说A Study in Scarlet（《血字的研究》），这部小说的主角就是之后名声大噪的夏洛克·福尔摩斯。道尔一生一共写了56篇短篇侦探小说以及4部中篇侦探小说，包括《冒险史》系列、《新探案》系列、《四签名》等，全部以福尔摩斯为主角。除此之外，他还曾写过多部其他类型的小说，如科幻小说、爱情小说、戏剧、诗歌等。与同时代的很多作家不同，道尔的短篇小说画面感非常强，冲突设置集中，情节跌宕，引人入胜，使读者仿佛在读电影故事。本文节选自其短篇小说《波西米亚丑闻》，因篇幅所限，有删节。
——Maisie
【前情提要：波希米亚的世袭国王就要与斯堪的纳维亚的公主举行婚礼了，而这位背负着伟大的奥姆斯坦家族荣誉的国王年轻时曾与大名鼎鼎的女冒险家、华沙帝国歌剧院首席女歌手艾琳·艾德勒有过一段浪漫情史。因担心艾琳会把两人的一张合照公诸于世，从而使自己陷入严重的丑闻之中，他化名为冯·克拉姆伯爵，找到了福尔摩斯，请他从艾琳·艾德勒手中取回该照片……】
(I)
A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a 2)Hercules. His dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad taste. Boots which extended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of3)barbaric opulence which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black 4)vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered.
“You had my note?” he asked with a deep harsh voice and a strongly marked German accent. “I told you that I would call.” He looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to address.
“5)Pray take a seat,” said Holmes. “This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in my cases. Whom have I the honor to address?”
“You may address me as the 6)Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honor and7)discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate with you alone.”
I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me back into my chair. “It is both, or none,” said he. “You may say before this gentleman anything which you may say to me.”
The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. “Then I must begin,” said he, “by 8)binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it may have an influence upon European history.”
“I promise,” said Holmes.
“And I.”
“You will excuse this mask,” continued our strange visitor. “The 9)august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have just called myself is not exactly my own.”
“I was aware of it,” said Holmes 10)dryly.
“The circumstances are of great 11)delicacy, and every precaution has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense scandal and seriously 12)compromise one of the reigning families of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of Ormstein, 13)hereditary kings of Bohemia.”
“I was also aware of that,” murmured Holmes, settling himself down in his armchair and closing his eyes.
Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the 14)languid, 15)lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him as the most 16)incisive reasoner and most energetic 17)agent in Europe. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his gigantic client. “If your 18)Majesty would 19)condescend to state your case,” he remarked, “I should be better able to advise you.”
The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in uncontrollable 20)agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. “You are right,” he cried; “I am the King. Why should I attempt to conceal it?”
“Why, indeed?” murmured Holmes. “Your Majesty had not spoken before I was aware that I was addressing Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hereditary King of Bohemia.”
“But you can understand,” said our strange visitor, sitting down once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, “you can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not21)confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have come 22)incognito from 23)Prague for the purpose of consulting you.”
(II)
The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood upon the steps. She watched us with a 24)sardonic eye as we stepped from the 25)brougham.
“Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?” said she.
“I am Mr. Holmes,” answered my companion, looking at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze.
“Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Cross for the Continent.”
“What!” Sherlock Holmes 26)staggered back, white with 27)chagrin and surprise. “Do you mean that she has left England?”
“Never to return.”
“And the 28)papers?” asked the King 29)hoarsely. “All is lost.”
“We shall see.” He pushed past the servant and rushed into the 30)drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was scattered about in every direction, with 31)dismantled shelves and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly 32)ransacked them before her 33)flight. Holmes rushed at the 34)bell-pull, tore back a small sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler herself in evening dress, the letter was 35)superscribed to “Sherlock Holmes, 36)Esq. To be left till called for.” My friend tore it open and we all three read it together. It was ran in this way:
“MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,—You really did it very well. You 37)took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind old 38)clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the 39)coachman, to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, and came down just as you departed. Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes…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 ADLER.”
“What a woman—oh, what a woman!” cried the King of Bohemia. “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 40)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 41)indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward you. This ring—” He slipped an 42)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 honor to wish you a very good-morning.” He bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the King had stretched out to him…
（一）
一个男人走了进来，他的身高不下于6.5英尺（约1.98米），胸膛宽阔，四肢有力。他的衣着华丽，但在英国这地方那华美的装束显得有点近乎俗气。他脚上穿着一双高至小腿肚的皮靴，靴口上镶着深棕色毛皮。他整个外表本来就给人一种粗野奢华的印象，而这靴子更是着墨一笔。他手里拿着一顶大檐帽，脸的上半部戴着一张盖过颧骨的黑色伪装面具。显然他刚刚整理过面具，因为进屋时他的手还停留在面具上。
“你收到我的条子了吗？”他问道，声音深沉、沙哑，带着浓重的德国口音。“我告诉过你我要来拜访的。”他目光在我们两人之间游移，好像拿不准要对着谁说话似的。
“请坐，”福尔摩斯说道，“这位是我的朋友和同事——华生医生。他不时帮助我办案子。请问，我应该怎么称呼您？”
“你可以称呼我为冯·克拉姆伯爵。我是波希米亚的一名贵族。我想这位先生——你的朋友，是位值得尊敬且审慎的人，这件事关重大的事情让他知道也无碍吧。否则，我还是希望跟你单独交谈。”
我站起来要走，但福尔摩斯抓住了我的手腕，把我拽回到椅子里。“要说就对我们两个一起说，否则就免谈，”他对来客说道，“能跟我谈的，在这位先生面前也可以尽管谈。”
伯爵耸了耸他那宽阔的肩膀。“那么我首先得跟你们二位立约，替我在两年内绝对保密；两年后这件事就无关紧要了。而目前，可以毫不夸张地说，事情之重要，也许可以影响整个欧洲历史的进程。”他说道。
“我保证保密，”福尔摩斯答道。
“我也是。”
“这面具你们不介意吧，”我们这位陌生怪客继续说道，“派我来的贵人不愿意让你们知道他派来的使者是谁，我可以现在就坦白，我刚才所说的称呼并不是我自己真正的名字。”
“这我知道，”福尔摩斯冷冷地答道。
“情况十分棘手。我们必须采取一切预防措施，尽力防止事情演变成一桩大丑闻，进而使一个欧洲王族的形象遭到严重损害。坦率地说，这件事牵涉到伟大的奥姆斯坦家族——波希米亚的世袭国王。”
“这个我也知道，”福尔摩斯喃喃低语道，随即他坐到扶手椅里，闭上了眼睛。
在来客的心目中，福尔摩斯无疑曾被描述为欧洲分析问题最透彻的推理者和精力最充沛的侦探。此时，我们的来客不禁用一种明显很惊讶的目光扫了一眼面前这个无精打采而懒洋洋地瘫坐椅子上的人。福尔摩斯慢条斯理地重新张开双眼，不耐烦地看着他那身材魁伟的委托人。“要是陛下肯屈尊将案情阐明，”他说道，“那我将能更好地为您效劳。”
这人从椅子里猛地站了起来，激动难控地在屋子里踱来踱去。接着，急迫无奈地把脸上的面具扯下扔到地上。“你说对了，”他大声说道，“我就是那个国王，但我为什么想隐瞒呢？”
“是的，为什么呢？”福尔摩斯喃喃低语道，“陛下还没开口，我就知道自己面前的是卡斯尔－费尔施泰因大公、波希米亚的世袭国王。”
“但是你能理解，”我们那怪客又重新坐下来，用手摸了一下他那又高又白的前额说道，“你能理解我是不惯于亲自办这种事的。可是这件事太棘手了，根本不可能假手于人，让别人知道了，这件事就会成为把柄让我任人摆布。我是为了求助于你才化名从布拉格来此的。”
（二）
布里翁尼府第的大门敞开着，一位老妇站在台阶上。她目带轻蔑地看着我们从四轮马车里下来。
“我想是夏洛克·福尔摩斯先生吧？”她说道。
“我是福尔摩斯，”我的同伴疑惑而又有些惊愕地注视着她答道。
“真的！我的女主人告诉我你多半会来的。今天早晨她跟她的丈夫一起走了，他们乘五点十五分的火车从蔡林克罗斯到欧洲大陆去了。”
“什么！”夏洛克·福尔摩斯向后打了个趔趄，懊恼吃惊，脸色发白。“你是说她已经离开英国了吗？”
“再也不回来了。”
“那张照片呢？”国王声音嘶哑地问道，“一切都完了！”
“我们要看一下。”福尔摩斯推开仆人，奔进了客厅，国王和我紧跟在后面。屋里的家具四处散放着，架子拆了下来，抽屉被拉开，好像这位女士在离开前匆匆忙忙地翻箱倒柜搜索了一番似的。福尔摩斯冲到拉铃索处，拉开一扇小百叶窗，伸进手去，掏出一张照片和一封信。照片上艾琳·艾德勒本人穿着晚礼服。信封上写着：“夏洛 克·福尔摩斯先生，留交本人亲收。”我的朋友把信拆开，我们三个人一起读这封信。信中这样写道：
“我亲爱的夏洛克·福尔摩斯先生：你的确干得非常漂亮。你完全把我给骗过去了。直到发出火警以前，我也没起一点疑心。但是随后，当我发觉我已经如何泄露了自己的秘密时，我开始思索了。几个月以前，就有人警告我要防备你。他们告诉我说，要是国王雇侦探的话，那一定会是你。他们已经告诉我你的地址。可是尽管如此，你还是让我泄露了你要知道的秘密。甚至在我起了疑心之后，我还觉得很难相信那么一位和蔼可亲的老牧师其实是另有图谋的。但是，你知道的，我自己是个训练有素的女演员。男性服装对我而言并不陌生。我自己就常常借便女扮男装。我派马车夫约翰去监视你，然后跑上楼，穿上我的散步便服，我下楼来的时候，你正好离开。随后，我在后面跟着你走到你家门口，这样，我才肯定了自己真的是你这位著名的夏洛克·福尔摩斯先生的查探对象……至于那张照片，你的委托人可以放心。我爱着一位比他更好的人，而这个人也爱我。国王可以做任何他愿意做的事，而不必顾虑他曾残忍错待过的人会对他有什么妨碍。我保留那张照片，只是为了保护自己，为了保留一件武器——它将能始终保护我不会受到他将来可能带来的任何伤害。我留下一张照片，他也许想要。谨此向您——亲爱的夏洛克·福尔摩斯先生致意。艾琳·艾德勒敬上。”
“一个多么了不起的女人啊——噢，一个多么了不起的女人啊！”波希米亚国王大声说道，“我不是告诉过你们她是多么机敏和果断吗？假如她能当王后，那她也会是一位令人钦佩的王后。可是她和我地位悬殊，这多么令人遗憾啊！”
“从我在这位女士身上所看到的来说，她的确和陛下不在同一高度，”福尔摩斯冷冷地说道，“我很遗憾没能使陛下的事情得到一个更为圆满的结局。”
“恰恰相反，我亲爱的先生，”国王大声说道，“再没有任何结局比这个更为圆满的了。我知道她说话算数。那张照片现在如同它已经被烧掉一样使我感到放心了。”
“我很高兴听到陛下这么说。”
“我对你感激不尽。请告诉我该怎样酬答你才好。这枚戒指——”他从他的手指上取下一枚蛇形的翡翠戒指，托在手掌上。
“陛下有一件我认为甚至比这戒指更有价值的东西。”福尔摩斯说道。
“你尽管说。”
“这张照片！”
国王惊异地睁大眼睛凝视着他。
“艾琳的相片！”他大声说道。
“你要是想要的话，当然可以。”
“谢谢陛下。那么这件事就算办妥了吧。我谨祝您早安。”他鞠了个躬，然后转身离开，全然无视国王向其伸出的手……