“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. It is cabinet

size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman’s dress. She knows

that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched. Two attempts of

the sort have already been made. We may take it, then, that she does not carry

it about with her.”


“Where, then?”


“Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I am

inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do

their own secreting. Why should she hand it over to anyone else? She could

trust her own guardianship, but she could not tell what indirect or political

influence might be brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that

she had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she can lay her

hands upon it. It must be in her own house.”


“But it has twice been burgled.”


“Pshaw! They did not know how to look.”


“But how will you look?”


“I will not look.”


“What then?”


“I will get her to show me.”


“But she will refuse.”


“She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is her

carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter.”


As he spoke the gleam of the sidelights of a carriage came round the curve of

the avenue. It was a smart little landau which rattled up to the door of Briony

Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to

open the door in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another

loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce quarrel broke out,