Scandal In Bohemia

My name is Dr John Watson. I am a friend of the great detective, Sherlock Holmes. I got married a few months ago. After I got married, I did not see Holmes very often. He stayed at his house on Baker Street. He was busy with the study of crime. Sherlock Holmes solves mysteries that the police cannot solve. One night, I decided to visit Holmes. I rang the bell. He was happy to see me. I sat downand he offered me a cigar. Then he stood in front of the fire and looked at me. You look well. Married life is good for you, he said. And I can see that you are working as a doctor again. I also know that you went to the countryside this week, and that you have a careless servant girl. My dear Holmes. I said you are very clever. It is true that I went for a walk in the country on Thursday. I camehome very dirty. But I changed my clothes, so how do you know? It is also true that we have a careless servant girl. How do you know all these things? Holmes laughed. It is easy, he said. There are six scratches on your left shoe. I can see that a careless person cleaned your shoes. I know that you are working as a doctor again because you smell of antiseptic. I laughed at his reply. Holmes madeeverything sound so obvious. Look, he said he gave me a sheet of pink writing paper. The postman brought this. Read it aloud. The letter did not have a date on lit, and it did not have a signature or an address.



The letter said: dear Mr Holmes. A gentleman will come to see toy tonight. He needs your help with something very serious. The man will wear a mask, so do not be surprised. I knowthat I can trust you.
This is a mystery, I said. What do you think? Holmes asked. I looked carefully at the writing and the paper. I think that the writer is rich, I said I wanted to be as clever as my friend yes, it is unusual, said Holmes. And it is not English paper. Hold it up to the light. I help it up. On the paper. I saw the letters Eg, P and Gt. The Gt stands for , said Holmes. That meansin German. The P stands for Papier – paper. So this paper is from a German-speaking country. Holmes took an encyclopedia from a shelf and opened it. Look. The Eg stands for Egria. That is in Bohemia. What do you think of that? The paper is from Bohemia. I said. Precisely, my dear Watson. We must discover what this man wants. I think I can hear him now. We heard slow heavy steps on the stairs.Then there was a loud knock at the door. Come in, said Holmes.
A man entered. He was strong and tall. He wore expensive clothes. There was a black mask on his face. Did you receive my letter? He asked. He had a strong German accent. Yes, said homes. Please sit down. This is my friend and colleague, Dr John Watson. Who are you?


I am count von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I want to speak to youalone, please. I got up to go, but Holmes stopped me. You can trust my friend, he said to the count. You must both promise to keep my secret, said the count. We promise, said Holmes. I am sorry about this mask, our strange visitor continued. Count von Kramm is not my real name. I am here to see you because I want to prevent a scandal. I know, said Holmes. He sat down and closed his eyes. You areWilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Falstein, and of Bohemia. Your Majesty, please tell me how I can help you. The man was shocked. He jumped up from his chair. He pulled the mask off his face and threw it to the ground. Then he said. I am sure you understand. I come myself because I cannot trust anyone with my secret. Five years ago. I visited Warsaw. There I met thefamous opera singer, Irene Adler.
Watson, please find the notes I have about her, said Holmes. He had notes about many interesting people. I found the notes quickly and gave them to Holmes.
Let me see, he said. Hmmm! She was born in New Jersey. She sang at La Scala and at the Imperial Opera of Warsaw, but she does not sing in operas now, ah – now she is living in London! I believe Your Majesty...