Another Scandal in Bohemia (A Novel of Suspense featuring Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes)

Author:Douglas, Carole Nelson [Douglas, Carole Nelson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sherlock holmes, irene adler
Publisher: Wishlist Publishing
Published: 2012-11-05T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-one

GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER?

Once again we had been forced to play false with our hotel rooms. Godfrey and I roomed in separate chambers. Irene as “Lady Sherlock” and her “sister Allegra” maintained their own suite.

Irene managed to intercept Godfrey when he paused at the hotel after a day of consultation among the bankers and financiers of Prague, before he was off for the evening. He was indeed to dine with the King at Prague Castle that evening, he had told her, upon His Majesty’s especial invitation.

When Irene, with Allegra in hand, collected me for another hotel dinner later that evening she informed me of this arrangement.

“Apparently, no interlopers—that is, women—are allowed. Not even the Queen will be tolerated for dinner.” Her melodramatic sigh of disappointment did much for her décolletage. “I should so like to observe Godfrey and the King at dinner together!”

“No doubt,” I responded, appalled. That was the last thing in the world that I cared to see, and the second-to-the-last thing would be the King and Irene together again in the same room.

“We shall simply have to plan our own adventures over dinner,” Irene added, linking arms with Allegra and myself on our way downstairs, and leading us off at a brisk pace.

I began to harbor deep doubts about this Bohemian venture, but dinner was pleasant enough, thanks to the company, although largely inedible—until we retired upstairs again. Allegra once more was banished to their suite while Irene slipped into my room for a consultation. She intended to stop last at Godfrey’s chamber, to which she had a spare key.

“I suppose that you will interrogate him mercilessly,” I noted as I turned up the lamps.

“That depends on how forthcoming Godfrey is. I must say that he is taking an unusual relish in this masquerade. He seemed actually... enthusiastic about his tête-à-tête with the King.”

“A man seldom has an opportunity to study his former rival. Besides, Godfrey takes his assignment for the Rothschilds most seriously. He will not let personal matters intervene.”

“Do you think that I will?” Irene indignant was especially impressive.

“What scheme have you in mind for us tomorrow?” I asked narrowly.

“Nothing of much consequence. It seems that bankers, kings, and barristers have so much in common that we poor ladies must fend for ourselves, and are condemned to minor matters. I propose an outing to the Old Town to hunt this convenient Golem of yours.”

“Do you imply that Godfrey and I were diddled by the Rothschild agent, that it was arranged for us to see a false monster?”

She shrugged. “The Golem is a Gothic element that adds a picturesque quality to a common and sordid political intrigue. I am sure that Baron Alphonse is well aware of my attraction to the exotic. So, no, I do not expect to find serious traces of the Golem, but I would like Allegra to see more of Prague than the autocrats on Hradcany hill. The streets teem with color and music, and I have missed them.”

“The streets are as dangerous to us as any Golem! We will be three women alone.

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