“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 side-lights 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, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, who was equally hot upon the other side.  A blow was struck, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks.  Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood running freely down his face.  At his fall the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to attend to the injured man.  Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking back into the street.

“Is the poor gentleman much hurt?” she asked.

“He is dead,” cried several voices.

“No, no, there’s life in him!” shouted another.  “But he’ll be gone before you can get him to hospital.”

“He’s a brave fellow,” said a woman.  “They would have had the lady’s purse and watch if it hadn’t been for him.  They were a gang, and a rough one, too.  Ah, he’s breathing now.”

“He can’t lie in the street.  May we bring him in, marm?”

“Surely.  Bring him into the sitting-room.  There is a comfortable sofa.  This way, please!”