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 dryly.


“The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution has to be

taken to quench what might grow to be an immense scandal and seriously

compromise one of the reigning families of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter

implicates the great House of Ormstein, 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 languid, lounging figure

of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him as the most incisive reasoner

and most energetic agent in Europe. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked

impatiently at his gigantic client.


“If your Majesty would 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

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 Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von

Ormstein, 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 not confide it to an agent without

putting myself in his power. I have come incognito from Prague for the

purpose of consulting you.”


“Then, pray consult,” said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more.


“The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a lengthy visit