The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood upon the steps.She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped from the 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 staggered back, white with chagrin and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?""Never to return." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "We shall see."He pushed past the servant and rushed into the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself.The furniture was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and open drawers,as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight.Holmes rushed at the 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 superscribed to "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for."
