To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman.

For Sherlock Holmes er hun altid kvinden.

I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name.

Jeg har sjældent hørt ham nævne hende under et andet navn.

In his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex.

I hans øjne overskygger og dominerer hun hele sit køn.

It was not that he felt any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler.

Det var ikke, at han følte nogen følelser svarende til kærlighed til Irene Adler.

All emotions, and that one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but admirably balanced mind.

Alle følelser, og især denne, var afskyelige for hans kolde, præcise, men beundringsværdigt afbalancerede sind.

He was, I take it, the most perfect reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a lover he would have placed himself in a false position.

Han var, tror jeg, den mest perfekte ræsonnerende og observerende maskine, som verden nogensinde har set, men som elsker ville han have sat sig selv i en forkert position.

He never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer.

Han talte aldrig om de blødere følelser, undtagen med en hån og en smiger.

They were admirable things for the observer—excellent for drawing the veil from men’s motives and actions.

De var beundringsværdige ting for observatøren - fremragende til at løfte sløret fra mænds motiver og handlinger.

But for the trained reasoner to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which might throw a doubt upon all his mental results.

Men for den trænede ræsonerende at indrømme sådanne indgreb i hans eget delikate og fint justerede temperament var at indføre en distraherende faktor, som kunne kaste tvivl over alle hans mentale resultater.

Grit in a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a nature such as his.

En smule snask i et følsomt instrument, eller en revne i en af hans egne højtydende linser, ville ikke være mere forstyrrende end en stærk følelse i en natur som hans.

And yet there was but one woman to him, and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable memory.

Og alligevel var der kun én kvinde for ham, og denne kvinde var den afdøde Irene Adler, med et tvivlsomt og diskutabelt minde.

I had seen little of Holmes lately.

Jeg havde ikke set meget til Holmes på det seneste.

My marriage had drifted us away from each other.

Mit ægteskab havde skubbet os væk fra hinanden.

My own complete happiness, and the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to absorb all my attention,

Min egen fuldstændige lykke og de hjemmebaserede interesser, som opstår omkring en mand, der først finder sig selv som herre i sit eget hjem, var nok til at absorbere al min opmærksomhed.

while Holmes, who loathed every form of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature.

Mens Holmes, som hadede enhver form for samfund med hele sin bohemske sjæl, forblev i vores lejlighed på Baker Street, begravet blandt sine gamle bøger, og skiftede uge for uge mellem kokain og ambition, narkotikans sløvhed og hans egen skarpe naturs voldsomme energi.

He was still, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police.

Han var stadig, som altid, dybt tiltrukket af studiet af kriminalitet og brugte sine enorme evner og ekstraordinære observationsfærdigheder på at følge disse spor og opklare de mysterier, som det officielle politi havde opgivet som håbløse.

From time to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland.

Fra tid til anden hørte jeg nogle vage beretninger om hans gerninger: om hans indkaldelse til Odessa i sagen om Trepoff-mordet, om hans opklaring af den mærkelige tragedie med Atkinson-brødrene i Trincomalee, og endelig om den mission, han havde udført så fint og succesfuldt for den regerende familie i Holland.

Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of my former friend and companion.

Ud over disse tegn på hans aktivitet, som jeg blot delte med alle læsere af den daglige presse, vidste jeg ikke meget om min tidligere ven og følgesvend.

One night—it was on the twentieth of March, 1888—I was returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street.

En nat - det var den tyvende marts 1888 - vendte jeg tilbage fra en rejse til en patient (for jeg var nu vendt tilbage til civil praksis), da min vej førte mig gennem Baker Street.

As I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers.

Da jeg passerede den velkendte dør, som altid vil være forbundet i min hukommelse med min frieri og de mørke begivenheder i "Studiet i Scarlet", blev jeg grebet af et stærkt ønske om at se Holmes igen og at vide, hvordan han brugte sine ekstraordinære evner.

His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the blind.

Hans værelser var lyst op, og selv da jeg så op, så jeg hans høje, slanke figur passere to gange i en mørk silhuet mod persiennerne.

He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him.

Han gik hurtigt og ivrigt rundt i rummet med hovedet sunket ned på brystet og hænderne foldet bag ryggen.

To me, who knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their own story.

For mig, som kendte hans hvert humør og hver vane, fortalte hans holdning og manerer deres egen historie.

He was at work again.

Han var i gang igen.

He had risen out of his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new problem.

Han var kommet ud af sine narkotika-inducerede drømme og var på sporet af et nyt problem.

I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which had formerly been in part my own.

Jeg ringede til døren og blev vist op til det værelse, som tidligere havde været en del af mit eget.

His manner was not effusive.

Hans manerer var ikke overdrevne.

It seldom was; but he was glad, I think, to see me.

Det var de sjældent; men jeg tror, han var glad for at se mig.

With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner.

Med næsten ingen ord, men med et venligt blik, vinkede han mig hen til en lænestol, kastede sin cigaretæske over og pegede på en spiritusæske og en gasogene i hjørnet.

Then he stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular introspective fashion.

Derefter stod han foran ilden og betragtede mig på sin særlige indadvendte måde.

“Wedlock suits you,” he remarked. “I think, Watson, that you have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you.”

"Ægteskab passer dig," bemærkede han. "Jeg tror, Watson, at du er kommet syv og et halvt pund op siden jeg så dig sidst."

“Seven!” I answered.

"Syv!" svarede jeg.

“Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not tell me that you intended to go into harness.”

"Jeg troede faktisk, det var lidt mere. Bare en smule mere, tror jeg, Watson. Og jeg kan se, at du er i gang igen. Du fortalte mig ikke, at du planlagde at komme i arbejde."

“Then, how do you know?”

"Og hvordan ved du det så?"

“I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and careless servant girl?”

"Jeg kan se det, jeg udleder det. Hvordan ved jeg, at du har været meget våd på det seneste, og at du har en meget klodset og uforsigtig tjenestepige?"

“My dear Holmes,” said I, “this is too much.

"Min kære Holmes," sagde jeg, "det er for meget."

You would certainly have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago.

"Du ville helt sikkert være blevet brændt, hvis du havde levet for et par århundreder siden."

It is true that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can’t imagine how you deduce it.

Det er sandt, at jeg tog en tur i landskabet på torsdag og kom hjem i en frygtelig rod, men da jeg har skiftet tøj, kan jeg ikke forestille mig, hvordan du udleder det."

As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it out.”

Og hvad angår Mary Jane, så er hun uforbederlig, og min kone har givet hende besked, men igen, jeg kan ikke se, hvordan du regner det ud."

He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands together.

Han fnisede for sig selv og gned sine lange, nervøse hænder sammen.

“It is simplicity itself,” said he; “my eyes tell me that on the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts.

"Det er helt enkelt," sagde han. "Mine øjne fortæller mig, at på indersiden af din venstre sko, lige hvor lyset fra ilden rammer den, er læderet ramt af seks næsten parallelle snit."

Obviously they have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it.

"Det er tydeligt, at de er forårsaget af en person, der meget uforsigtigt har skrabet rundt om sålens kant for at fjerne indtørret snask fra den."

Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting specimen of the London slavey.

Derfor, ser du, min dobbelte udledning om, at du har været ude i slemt vejr, og at du har en særligt ondskabsfuld støvleskærer blandt Londons tjenestepiger.

As to your practice, if a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce him to be an active member of the medical profession.”

Og hvad angår din praksis, hvis en gentleman går ind i mine lokaler og lugter af jodform med et sort mærke af sølvnitrat på sin højre pegefinger og en bule på den højre side af sin højhat, der viser, hvor han har gemt sit stetoskop, så må jeg da være dum, hvis jeg ikke erklærer ham for at være et aktivt medlem af det medicinske erhverv."

I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his process of deduction.

Jeg kunne ikke lade være med at grine over den lethed, hvormed han forklarede sin deduktionsproces.

“When I hear you give your reasons,” I remarked, “the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you explain your process.

"Når jeg hører dig give dine grunde," bemærkede jeg, "forekommer tingene altid så latterligt enkle, at jeg nemt kunne gøre det selv, selvom jeg ved hvert eneste eksempel på din ræsonnement bliver forvirret, indtil du forklarer din proces."

And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as yours.”

"Og alligevel tror jeg, at mine øjne er lige så gode som dine."

“Quite so,” he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing himself down into an armchair. “You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the steps which lead up from the hall to this room.”

"Netop," svarede han og tændte en cigaret og kastede sig ned i en lænestol. "Du ser, men du observerer ikke. Forskellen er tydelig. For eksempel har du ofte set trinnene, der fører op fra hallen til dette rum."

“Frequently.”

"Ofte."

“How often?”

"Hvor ofte?"

“Well, some hundreds of times.”

"Nå, et par hundrede gange."

“Then how many are there?”

"Og hvor mange er der så?"

“How many? I don’t know.”

"Hvor mange? Jeg ved det ikke."

“Quite so!

"Netop!"

You have not observed.

"Du har ikke observeret."

And yet you have seen.

"Og alligevel har du set."

That is just my point.

"Det er lige præcis min pointe."

Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, because I have both seen and observed.

"Nu ved jeg, at der er sytten trin, fordi jeg både har set og observeret det."

By the way, since you are interested in these little problems, and since you are good enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you may be interested in this.”

"Iøvrigt, da du er interesseret i disse små problemer, og da du er så venlig at nedskrive en eller to af mine ubetydelige oplevelser, vil du måske være interesseret i dette."

He threw over a sheet of thick, pink-tinted notepaper which had been lying open upon the table.

Han kastede et ark tykt, lyserødt notepapir over, som havde ligget åbent på bordet.

“It came by the last post,” said he.

"Det kom med det sidste postbud," sagde han.

“Read it aloud.”

"Læs det højt."

The note was undated, and without either signature or address.

Noten var ikke dateret, og der var hverken en underskrift eller en adresse på den.

“There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight o’clock,” it said, “a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a matter of the very deepest moment.

"Der vil i aften klokken kvart i otte komme en herre på besøg hos dig," stod der, "som ønsker at rådføre sig med dig om en sag af den allerstørste betydning."

Your recent services to one of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which can hardly be exaggerated.

"Dine nylige tjenester for et af de europæiske kongehuse har vist, at du er en person, som man trygt kan betro sager af en betydning, der næppe kan overdrives."

This account of you we have from all quarters received.

"Denne beskrivelse af dig har vi modtaget fra alle sider."

Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask.”

"Vær i dit værelse på det tidspunkt, og tag det ikke ilde op, hvis din besøgende bærer en maske."

“This is indeed a mystery,” I remarked. “What do you imagine that it means?”

"Dette er sandelig et mysterium," bemærkede jeg. "Hvad tror du, det betyder?"

“I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. What do you deduce from it?”

"Jeg har endnu ingen oplysninger. Det er en alvorlig fejl at lave teorier, før man har oplysninger. Man begynder ubevidst at forvrænge fakta for at få dem til at passe til teorierne i stedet for at lade teorierne passe til fakta. Men selve noten. Hvad udleder du af den?"

I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was written.

Jeg undersøgte omhyggeligt skriften og det papir, den var skrevet på.

“The man who wrote it was presumably well to do,” I remarked, endeavouring to imitate my companion’s processes. “Such paper could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly strong and stiff.”

"Den person, der skrev den, var sandsynligvis velstående," bemærkede jeg og forsøgte at efterligne min ledsagers proces. "Sådan noget papir kan ikke købes for under en halv krone pr. pakke. Det er særligt stærkt og stift."

“Peculiar—that is the very word,” said Holmes. “It is not an English paper at all. Hold it up to the light.”

"Særligt - det er netop det rigtige ord," sagde Holmes. "Det er slet ikke engelsk papir. Hold det op mod lyset."

I did so, and saw a large “E” with a small “g,” a “P,” and a large “G” with a small “t” woven into the texture of the paper.

Jeg gjorde det, og jeg så et stort "E" med et lille "g", et "P" og et stort "G" med et lille "t" vævet ind i papirets struktur.

“What do you make of that?” asked Holmes.

"Hvad synes du om det?" spurgte Holmes.

“The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather.”

"Det er uden tvivl producentens navn; eller snarere hans monogram."

“Not at all.

"Ikke helt.

The ‘G’ with the small ‘t’ stands for ‘Gesellschaft,’ which is the German for ‘Company.’

Det 'G' med det lille 't' står for 'Gesellschaft', som er det tyske ord for 'Selskab'."

It is a customary contraction like our ‘Co.’

Det er en almindelig forkortelse ligesom vores 'Co.'

‘P,’ of course, stands for ‘Papier.’

'P', selvfølgelig, står for 'Papier'."

Now for the ‘Eg.’

Og nu til 'Eg'.

Let us glance at our Continental Gazetteer.”

Lad os kigge i vores kontinentale atlas."

He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves.

Han tog en tung brun bog ned fra hylderne.

“Eglow, Eglonitz—here we are, Egria.

"Eglow, Eglonitz - her er vi, Egria."

It is in a German-speaking country—in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad.

Det er i et tysktalende land - i Bøhmen, ikke langt fra Karlsbad.

‘Remarkable as being the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous glass-factories and paper-mills.’

"Bemærkelsesværdigt som stedet for Wallensteins død, og for dets mange glasfabrikker og papirfabrikker."

Ha, ha, my boy, what do you make of that?”

Ha, ha, min dreng, hvad synes du om det?"

His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue triumphant cloud from his cigarette.

Hans øjne funklede, og han sendte en stor blå triumferende sky op fra sin cigaret.

“The paper was made in Bohemia,” I said.

"Papiret blev lavet i Bøhmen," sagde jeg.

“Precisely.

"Præcis."

And the man who wrote the note is a German.

Og manden, der skrev noten, er tysker.

Do you note the peculiar construction of the sentence—‘This account of you we have from all quarters received.’

Lægger du mærke til den besynderlige opbygning af sætningen - "Denne beretning om dig har vi modtaget fra alle sider."

A Frenchman or Russian could not have written that.

En franskmand eller russer kunne ikke have skrevet det.

It is the German who is so uncourteous to his verbs.

Det er tyskeren, der er så uhøflig over for sine verber.

It only remains, therefore, to discover what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face.

Det eneste, der nu mangler, er at finde ud af, hvad denne tysker, der skriver på bøhmisk papir og foretrækker at bære maske frem for at vise sit ansigt, vil have.

And here he comes, if I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts.”

Og her kommer han, hvis jeg ikke tager fejl, for at løse alle vores tvivl."

As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses’ hoofs and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bell. Holmes whistled.

Da han talte, lød der en skarp lyd af hestes hove og hjul, der gnidede mod kantstenen, efterfulgt af et kraftigt træk i klokken. Holmes pustede i fløjten.

“A pair, by the sound,” said he. “Yes,” he continued, glancing out of the window. “A nice little brougham and a pair of beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There’s money in this case, Watson, if there is nothing else.”

"To heste, lyder det," sagde han. "Ja," fortsatte han og kiggede ud af vinduet. "En lille fin brougham og et par smukke heste. Hundrede halvtreds guineas stykket. Der er penge i denne sag, Watson, hvis der ikke er andet."

“I think that I had better go, Holmes.”

"Jeg tror, jeg hellere må gå, Holmes."

“Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to miss it.”

"Ikke et øjeblik, doktor. Bliv, hvor du er. Jeg er fortabt uden min Boswell. Og dette lover at blive interessant. Det ville være en skam at gå glip af det."

“But your client—”

"Men din klient—"

“Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best attention.”

"Lad være med at tænke på ham. Jeg får måske brug for din hjælp, og det samme gælder ham. Her kommer han. Sæt dig i den lænestol, doktor, og giv os din fulde opmærksomhed."

A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there was a loud and authoritative tap.

Et langsomt og tungt skridt, som var blevet hørt på trappen og i gangen, standsede straks uden for døren. Derefter lød der et højt og autoritativt bank på døren.

“Come in!” said Holmes.

"Kom ind!" sagde Holmes.

A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules.

En mand trådte ind, som næppe kunne have været mindre end seks fod seks tommer høj, med en Herkules' bryst og lemmer.

His dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad taste.

Hans påklædning var overdådig med en overdådighed, som i England ville blive betragtet som en smagløshed.

Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which consisted of a single flaming beryl.

Tunge bånd af astrakhan var skåret på ærmerne og fronten af hans dobbel-knappede jakke, mens den dybblå kappe, som var kastet over hans skuldre, var foret med flamme-farvet silke og sikret ved halsen med en broche, som bestod af en enkelt flammende beryl.

Boots which extended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence which was suggested by his whole appearance.

Støvler, som nåede halvvejs op ad hans lår, og som var trimmet i toppen med rig brun pels, fuldførte indtrykket af barbarisk overdådighed, som hans hele udseende fremkaldte.

He carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered.

Han bar en bred hat i hånden, mens han bar en sort vizard-maske over den øverste del af sit ansigt, som strakte sig ned over kindbenene, og som han tilsyneladende havde justeret i det samme øjeblik, da han trådte ind.

From the lower part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy.

Fra den nederste del af ansigtet så han ud til at være en mand med en stærk karakter, med en tyk, hængende læbe og en lang, lige hage, som antydede beslutsomhed skubbet til grænsen af stædighed.

“You had my note?” he asked with a deep harsh voice and a strongly marked German accent. “I told you that I would call.” He looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to address.

"Du fik min besked?" spurgte han med en dyb hård stemme og en stærkt markeret tysk accent. "Jeg fortalte dig, at jeg ville komme." Han så fra den ene til den anden af os, som om han var usikker på, hvem han skulle tale til.

“Pray take a seat,” said Holmes. “This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?”

"Tag endelig plads," sagde Holmes. "Dette er min ven og kollega, Dr. Watson, som lejlighedsvis er så venlig at hjælpe mig i mine sager. Hvem har jeg den ære at tale med?"

“You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate with you alone.”

"Du kan tiltale mig som Grev Von Kramm, en bøhmisk adelsmand. Jeg forstår, at denne herre, din ven, er en mand med ære og diskretion, som jeg kan stole på i en sag af den yderste vigtighed. Hvis ikke, ville jeg foretrække at kommunikere med dig alene."

I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me back into my chair. “It is both, or none,” said he. “You may say before this gentleman anything which you may say to me.”

Jeg rejste mig for at gå, men Holmes tog mig i håndleddet og skubbede mig tilbage i min stol. "Det er enten det ene eller det andet," sagde han. "Du kan sige alt foran denne herre, som du kan sige til mig."

The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. “Then I must begin,” said he, “by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it may have an influence upon European history.”

Grevens brede skuldre tog sig en skyldig. "Så må jeg begynde," sagde han, "med at forpligte jer begge til absolut fortrolighed i to år; efter denne tid vil sagen ikke længere være af nogen betydning. I øjeblikket er det ikke for meget at sige, at den er så vigtig, at den kan have indflydelse på europæisk historie."

“I promise,” said Holmes.

"Jeg lover," sagde Holmes.

“And I.”

"Og jeg."

“You will excuse this mask,” continued our strange visitor. “The august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have just called myself is not exactly my own.”

"Du vil undskylde dette maskerade," fortsatte vores mærkelige besøgende. "Den ærværdige person, som ansætter mig, ønsker, at hans agent skal være ukendt for dig, og jeg kan straks indrømme, at den titel, jeg lige har kaldt mig selv, ikke helt er min egen."

“I was aware of it,” said Holmes dryly.

"Det var jeg klar over," sagde Holmes tørt.

“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.”

"Omstændighederne er meget følsomme, og enhver forsigtighed skal tages for at dæmpe, hvad der kan blive en enorm skandale og alvorligt kompromittere en af de regerende familier i Europa. For at sige det ligeud, sagen involverer det store hus Ormstein, arvekonger af Bøhmen."

“I was also aware of that,” murmured Holmes, settling himself down in his armchair and closing his eyes.

"Det var jeg også klar over," mumlede Holmes og satte sig til rette i sin lænestol og lukkede øjnene.

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.

Vores besøgende kiggede med en vis overraskelse på den dovne, slappe figur af den mand, som utvivlsomt var blevet beskrevet for ham som den mest skarpe tænker og mest energiske agent i Europa. Holmes åbnede langsomt sine øjne og kiggede utålmodigt på sin gigantiske klient.

“If your Majesty would condescend to state your case,” he remarked, “I should be better able to advise you.”

"Hvis Deres Majestæt ville være så venlig at fremlægge Deres sag," bemærkede han, "ville jeg være bedre i stand til at rådgive Dem."

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?”

Manden sprang op fra sin stol og gik frem og tilbage i rummet i ukontrollabel ophidselse. Derefter rev han med en desperat gestus masken af sit ansigt og kastede den på jorden. "Du har ret," råbte han; "Jeg er kongen. Hvorfor skulle jeg forsøge at skjule det?"

“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.”

"Jo, faktisk," mumlede Holmes. "Deres Majestæt var ikke klar over, før jeg fortalte det, at jeg talte til Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, storhertug af Cassel-Felstein og arvekonge af Bøhmen."

“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.

"Men De kan forstå," sagde vores mærkelige besøgende og satte sig ned igen og strøg sin høje hvide pande, "De kan forstå, at jeg ikke er vant til at gøre sådanne forretninger i min egen person."

Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power.

Alligevel var sagen så følsom, at jeg ikke kunne betro den til en agent uden at sætte mig selv i hans magt.

I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting you.”

Jeg er kommet inkognito fra Prag med det formål at rådføre mig med Dem."

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

"Så rådfør Dem endelig," sagde Holmes og lukkede øjnene igen.

“The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you.”

"Kendsgerningerne er kort sagt disse: For cirka fem år siden, under et længere besøg i Warszawa, lærte jeg den velkendte eventyrer Irene Adler at kende. Navnet er uden tvivl bekendt for Dem."

“Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor,” murmured Holmes without opening his eyes.

"Se venligst hende op i mit indeks, doktor," mumlede Holmes uden at åbne øjnene.

For many years he had adopted a system of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not at once furnish information.

I mange år havde han anvendt et system til at registrere alle afsnit om mænd og ting, så det var svært at nævne et emne eller en person, som han ikke straks kunne give oplysninger om.

In this case I found her biography sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fishes.

I dette tilfælde fandt jeg hendes biografi klemt ind mellem en hebraisk rabbins og en stabskommanders, som havde skrevet en monografi om dybhavsfisk.

“Let me see!” said Holmes.

"Lad mig se!" sagde Holmes.

“Hum!

"Hmm!"

Born in New Jersey in the year 1858. Contralto—hum!

Født i New Jersey i 1858. Kontraalto - hmm!

La Scala, hum!

La Scala, hmm!

Prima donna Imperial Opera of Warsaw—yes! Retired from operatic stage—ha! Living in London—quite so!

Prima donna ved det kejserlige operahus i Warszawa - ja! Gået på pension fra operascenen - hah! Bor i London - helt sikkert!

Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and is now desirous of getting those letters back.”

Som jeg forstår det, blev Deres Majestæt involveret med denne unge kvinde, skrev hende nogle kompromitterende breve og ønsker nu at få disse breve tilbage."

“Precisely so. But how—”

"Netop. Men hvordan -"

“Was there a secret marriage?”

"Var der et hemmeligt ægteskab?"

“None.”

"Nej."

“No legal papers or certificates?”

"Ingen juridiske dokumenter eller certifikater?"

“None.”

"Nej."

“Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is she to prove their authenticity?”

"Så forstår jeg Dem ikke, Deres Majestæt. Hvis denne unge kvinde skulle fremvise sine breve til afpresning eller andre formål, hvordan skulle hun så bevise deres ægthed?"

“There is the writing.”

"Der er skrevet underskrifter."

“Pooh, pooh! Forgery.”

"Pff, pff! Falskneri."

“My private note-paper.”

"Mit private brevpapir."

“Stolen.”

"Stjålet."

“My own seal.”

"Mit eget segl."

“Imitated.”

"Imiteret."

“My photograph.”

"Mit fotografi."

“Bought.”

"Købt."

“We were both in the photograph.”

"Vi var begge på fotografiet."

“Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion.”

"Åh, kære! Det er meget slemt! Deres Majestæt har faktisk begået en ubetænksomhed."

“I was mad—insane.”

"Jeg var gal – sindssyg."

“You have compromised yourself seriously.”

"Du har kompromitteret dig selv alvorligt."

“I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now.”

"Jeg var kun kronprins dengang. Jeg var ung. Jeg er kun tredive nu."

“It must be recovered.”

"Det skal genvindes."

“We have tried and failed.”

"Vi har prøvet og fejlet."

“Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought.”

"Deres Majestæt må betale. Det skal købes."

“She will not sell.”

"Hun vil ikke sælge."

“Stolen, then.”

"Stjålet, så."

“Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice she has been waylaid. There has been no result.”

"Der er gjort fem forsøg. To gange ransagede tyve i min tjeneste hendes hus. En gang omdirigerede vi hendes bagage, da hun rejste. To gange blev hun overfaldet. Der var ingen resultater."

“No sign of it?”

"Ingen tegn på det?"

“Absolutely none.”

"Absolut ingen."

Holmes laughed. “It is quite a pretty little problem,” said he.

Holmes grinede. "Det er et ganske pænt lille problem," sagde han.

“But a very serious one to me,” returned the King reproachfully.

"Men et meget alvorligt problem for mig," svarede kongen bebrejdende.

“Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the photograph?”

"Meget faktisk. Og hvad foreslår hun at gøre med fotografiet?"

“To ruin me.”

"At ødelægge mig."

“But how?”

"Men hvordan?"

“I am about to be married.”

"Jeg skal giftes."

“So I have heard.”

"Det har jeg hørt."

“To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end.”

"Med Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, den anden datter af kongen af Skandinavien. Du kender sandsynligvis hendes families strenge principper. Hun er selv yderst høflig. En tvivl om min opførsel ville sætte en stopper for det hele."

“And Irene Adler?”

"Og Irene Adler?"

“Threatens to send them the photograph.

"Truer med at sende dem fotografiet."

And she will do it. I know that she will do it.

"Og hun vil gøre det. Jeg ved, at hun vil gøre det."

You do not know her, but she has a soul of steel.

"Du kender hende ikke, men hun har en stålfast vilje."

She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the mind of the most resolute of men.

"Hun har det smukkeste ansigt og den mest beslutsomme hjerne."

Rather than I should marry another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not go—none.”

"Før jeg gifter mig med en anden kvinde, vil hun gøre alt - alt!"

“You are sure that she has not sent it yet?”

"Du er sikker på, at hun ikke har sendt det endnu?"

“I am sure.”

"Det er jeg sikker på."

“And why?”

"Og hvorfor?"

“Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday.”

"Fordi hun har sagt, at hun ville sende det den dag, forlovelsen blev offentliggjort. Det bliver næste mandag."

“Oh, then we have three days yet,” said Holmes with a yawn. “That is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in London for the present?”

"Åh, så vi har stadig tre dage," sagde Holmes med et gæst. "Det er meget heldigt, da jeg har et par vigtige sager, jeg skal undersøge lige nu. Deres Majestæt bliver naturligvis i London i øjeblikket?"

“Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Count Von Kramm.”

"Bestemt. I kan finde mig på Langham under navnet Grev Von Kramm."

“Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress.”

"Så vil jeg skrive til dig og fortælle dig, hvordan det går."

“Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety.”

"Det ville jeg sætte pris på. Jeg vil være meget bekymret."

“Then, as to money?”

"Og hvad angår pengene?"

“You have carte blanche.”

"Du har frie hænder."

“Absolutely?”

"Absolut?"

“I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to have that photograph.”

"Jeg fortæller dig, at jeg ville give en af mine kongeriger for at få det foto."

“And for present expenses?”

"Og til de nuværende udgifter?"

The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and laid it on the table.

Kongen tog en tung chamoislæderpose frem fra under sin kappe og lagde den på bordet.

“There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in notes,” he said.

"Der er tre hundrede pund i guld og syv hundrede i sedler," sagde han.

Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and handed it to him.

Holmes skrev en kvittering på et ark af sin notesbog og gav den til ham.

“And Mademoiselle’s address?” he asked.

"Og Mademoiselles adresse?" spurgte han.

“Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John’s Wood.”

"Det er Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood."

Holmes took a note of it. “One other question,” said he. “Was the photograph a cabinet?”

Holmes noterede det. "Endnu et spørgsmål," sagde han. "Var fotoet et kabinet?"

“It was.”

"Det var."

“Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon have some good news for you.

"Så godnat, Deres Majestæt, og jeg håber, at vi snart får nogle gode nyheder til Dem."

And good-night, Watson,” he added, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street.

Og godnat, Watson," tilføjede han, da hjulene på den kongelige brougham rullede ned ad gaden.

“If you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three o’clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you.”

"Hvis De vil være så venlig at komme forbi i morgen eftermiddag klokken tre, ville jeg gerne drøfte denne lille sag med Dem."

At three o’clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not yet returned.

Præcis klokken tre var jeg på Baker Street, men Holmes var endnu ikke vendt tilbage.

The landlady informed me that he had left the house shortly after eight o’clock in the morning.

Værten fortalte mig, at han havde forladt huset kort efter klokken otte om morgenen.

I sat down beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, however long he might be.

Jeg satte mig dog ned ved ilden med planen om at vente på ham, uanset hvor længe det ville tage.

I was already deeply interested in his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own.

Jeg var allerede dybt interesseret i hans efterforskning, for selvom den ikke var omringet af de dystre og mærkelige træk, der var forbundet med de to forbrydelser, jeg allerede har registreret, gav sagen og hans klients ophøjede stilling den en karakter i sig selv.

Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most inextricable mysteries.

Faktisk, bortset fra arten af den efterforskning, min ven havde i gang, var der noget i hans mesterlige forståelse af en situation og hans skarpe, indsigtsfulde ræsonnement, som gjorde det en fornøjelse for mig at studere hans arbejdsmetode og følge de hurtige, subtile metoder, hvormed han opklarede de mest uigennemskuelige mysterier.

So accustomed was I to his invariable success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to enter into my head.

Jeg var så vant til hans uforanderlige succes, at selv muligheden for, at han ville fejle, ikke længere fandt sted i mine tanker.

It was close upon four before the door opened, and a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room.

Det var tæt på klokken fire, før døren åbnede sig, og en drukken mandlig tjener, ugarderet og med en sideflok, et rødt ansigt og respektløst tøj, trådte ind i rummet.

Accustomed as I was to my friend’s amazing powers in the use of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it was indeed he.

Selvom jeg var vant til min vens fantastiske evner til at bruge forklædninger, var jeg nødt til at kigge tre gange, før jeg var sikker på, at det faktisk var ham.

With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old.

Med et nik forsvandt han ind i soveværelset og kom ud fem minutter senere i en tweeddragt og så respektabel ud som altid.

Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes.

Han satte sine hænder i lommerne, strakte benene ud foran ilden og lo hjerteligt i nogle minutter.

“Well, really!” he cried, and then he choked and laughed again until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the chair.

"Nå, virkelig!" udbrød han, og så kvælte han og lo igen, indtil han var nødt til at lægge sig tilbage i stolen slap og hjælpeløs.

“What is it?”

"Hvad er der?"

“It’s quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing.”

"Det er simpelthen for sjovt. Jeg er sikker på, at du aldrig ville gætte, hvordan jeg brugte min morgen, eller hvad jeg endte med at gøre."

“I can’t imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler.”

"Jeg kan ikke forestille mig det. Jeg går ud fra, at du har overvåget Miss Irene Adlers vaner og måske også hendes hus."

“Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual.

"Præcis; men fortsættelsen var ret usædvanlig."

I will tell you, however.

"Jeg vil dog fortælle dig det."

I left the house a little after eight o’clock this morning in the character of a groom out of work.

"Jeg forlod huset lidt over klokken otte i morges i rollen som en arbejdsløs gartner."

There is a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men.

"Der er en fantastisk sympati og broderskab blandt hestemennesker."

Be one of them, and you will know all that there is to know.

"Vær en af dem, og du vil vide alt, hvad der er at vide."

I soon found Briony Lodge.

"Jeg fandt hurtigt Briony Lodge."

It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but built out in front right up to the road, two stories.

"Det er en lille villa med en have bagpå, men bygget helt frem til vejen i to etager."

Chubb lock to the door.

"Døren var låst med en Chubb-lås."

Large sitting-room on the right side, well furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open.

"Der var en stor stue til højre, godt indrettet med lange vinduer næsten ned til gulvet, og de latterlige engelske vinduesbeslag, som et barn kunne åbne."

Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window could be reached from the top of the coach-house.

"Bagved var der ikke noget bemærkelsesværdigt, bortset fra at gangvinduet kunne nås fra toppen af vognhuset."

I walked round it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without noting anything else of interest.

"Jeg gik rundt om det og undersøgte det nøje fra alle synsvinkler, men uden at bemærke noget andet af interesse."

“I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the garden.

"Derefter slappede jeg af i gaden og fandt, som jeg havde forventet, at der var en stald i en gyde, der løber ned langs den ene væg i haven."

I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half-and-half, two fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but whose biographies I was compelled to listen to.”

"Jeg hjalp staldknægtene med at børste deres heste og fik til gengæld to pence, et glas halv-halv, to fyldninger med shag-tobak og så meget information som jeg kunne ønske mig om Miss Adler, for ikke at nævne et halvt dusin andre mennesker i nabolaget, som jeg ikke var det mindste interesseret i, men hvis biografier jeg var tvunget til at lytte til."

“And what of Irene Adler?” I asked.

"Og hvad med Irene Adler?" spurgte jeg.

“Oh, she has turned all the men’s heads down in that part.

"Åh, hun har fået alle mændene til at kigge efter hende i den del af byen."

She is the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet.

"Hun er det mest yndefulde under en hætte på denne planet."

So say the Serpentine-mews, to a man.

"Det siger Serpentine-staldknægtene alle sammen."

She lives quietly, sings at concerts, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for dinner.

"Hun lever et stille liv, synger ved koncerter, kører ud klokken fem hver dag og vender tilbage præcis klokken syv til middag."

Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings.

"Hun går sjældent ud på andre tidspunkter, undtagen når hun synger."

Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him.

Han har kun én mandlig besøgende, men en hel del af ham.

He is dark, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and often twice.

Han er mørkhåret, smuk og flot, kommer aldrig mindre end én gang om dagen, og ofte to gange."

He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple.

Han er en Mr. Godfrey Norton fra Inner Temple.

See the advantages of a cabman as a confidant.

Se fordelene ved en taxachauffør som en fortrolig.

They had driven him home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him.

De havde kørt ham hjem et dusin gange fra Serpentine-staldknægtene og vidste alt om ham.

When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of campaign.

Da jeg havde lyttet til alt, hvad de havde at sige, begyndte jeg at gå frem og tilbage nær Briony Lodge igen og at overveje min kampagneplan.

“This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the matter.

"Denne Godfrey Norton var tydeligvis en vigtig faktor i sagen."

He was a lawyer.

Han var advokat.

That sounded ominous.

Det lød ildevarslende.

What was the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated visits?

Hvad var forholdet mellem dem, og hvad var formålet med hans gentagne besøg?

Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress?

Var hun hans klient, hans ven eller hans elskerinde?

If the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his keeping.

Hvis det første var tilfældet, havde hun sandsynligvis overdraget fotografiet til hans varetægt.

If the latter, it was less likely.

Hvis det sidste var tilfældet, var det mindre sandsynligt.

On the issue of this question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman’s chambers in the Temple.

Det var afhængigt af dette spørgsmål, om jeg skulle fortsætte mit arbejde på Briony Lodge eller rette min opmærksomhed mod herrens kontor i Temple.

It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my inquiry.

Det var et følsomt punkt, og det udvidede mit efterforskningsområde.

I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the situation.”

Jeg frygter, at jeg keder dig med disse detaljer, men jeg er nødt til at lade dig se mine små vanskeligheder, hvis du skal forstå situationen."

“I am following you closely,” I answered.

"Jeg følger dig nøje," svarede jeg.

“I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out.

"Jeg overvejede stadig sagen i mit hoved, da en høj hæstevogn kørte op til Briony Lodge, og en herre sprang ud."

He was a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached—evidently the man of whom I had heard.

Han var en bemærkelsesværdigt smuk mand, mørk, med en skarp næse og et overskæg - tydeligvis den mand, jeg havde hørt om.

He appeared to be in a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly at home.

Han syntes at være i en stor fart, råbte til vognmanden om at vente og skyndte sig forbi tjenestepigen, der åbnede døren, med en holdning af en mand, der var helt hjemme i situationen.

“He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms.

"Han var i huset i cirka en halv time, og jeg kunne fange glimt af ham i stuevinduerne, hvor han gik frem og tilbage, talte ophidset og vinkede med armene."

Of her I could see nothing.

"Af hende kunne jeg ikke se noget."

Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than before.

Snart kom han ud og så endnu mere forvirret ud end før.

As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, ‘Drive like the devil,’ he shouted, ‘first to Gross & Hankey’s in Regent Street, and then to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road.

Da han trådte op i vognen, tog han et guldur ud af lommen og kiggede på det alvorligt. "Kør som djævlen," råbte han, "først til Gross & Hankey's i Regent Street og derefter til St. Monica's Kirke i Edgeware Road."

Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes!’

"En halv guinea, hvis du gør det på tyve minutter!"

“Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the buckles.

De kørte væk, og jeg tænkte lige, om jeg ikke skulle følge efter dem, da en lille landau kørte op ad alléen. Vognmanden havde kun halvknappet sin jakke, og hans slips var under hans øre, mens alle hans selebeslag stak ud af bucklerne.

It hadn’t pulled up before she shot out of the hall door and into it.

Før vognen var stoppet, sprang hun ud af døråbningen og ind i den.

I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for.

Jeg fangede kun et glimt af hende i det øjeblik, men hun var en smuk kvinde med et ansigt, som en mand ville dø for.

“‘The Church of St. Monica, John,’ she cried, ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.’

"St. Monica's Kirke, John," råbte hun, "og en halv suveræn, hvis du når derhen på tyve minutter."

“This was quite too good to lose, Watson.

"Det var simpelthen for godt til at gå glip af, Watson."

I was just balancing whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her landau when a cab came through the street.

Jeg overvejede lige, om jeg skulle løbe efter den, eller om jeg skulle sætte mig ind bag hendes landau, da en vogn kom gennem gaden.

The driver looked twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could object.

Chaufføren kiggede to gange på sådan en snasket kunde, men jeg sprang ind, før han kunne protestere.

‘The Church of St. Monica,’ said I, ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.’

"St. Monica's Kirke," sagde jeg, "og en halv suveræn, hvis du når derhen på tyve minutter."

It was twenty-five minutes to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind.

Klokken var femten minutter i tolv, og det var selvfølgelig helt indlysende, hvad der var på vej.

“My cabby drove fast. I don’t think I ever drove faster, but the others were there before us.

"Min chauffør kørte hurtigt. Jeg tror ikke, jeg nogensinde har kørt hurtigere, men de andre var der før os."

The cab and the landau with their steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived.

Chaufføren og landauen med deres dampende heste var foran døren, da jeg ankom.

I paid the man and hurried into the church.

Jeg betalte manden og skyndte mig ind i kirken.

There was not a soul there save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who seemed to be expostulating with them.

Der var ikke en sjæl derinde udover de to, jeg havde fulgt, og en præst i præstekjole, som tilsyneladende argumenterede med dem.

They were all three standing in a knot in front of the altar.

De stod alle tre i en knude foran alteret.

I lounged up the side aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church.

Jeg slentrede op ad sidegangen som enhver anden dovenperson, der er faldet ind i en kirke.

Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards me.

Pludselig, til min overraskelse, vendte de tre ved alteret sig mod mig, og Godfrey Norton kom løbende så hurtigt, han kunne, mod mig.

“‘Thank God,’ he cried. ‘You’ll do. Come! Come!’

"Tak Gud," råbte han. "Du er perfekt. Kom! Kom!"

“‘What then?’ I asked.

"Og hvad så?" spurgte jeg.

“‘Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won’t be legal.’

"Kom nu, mand, kom nu, der er kun tre minutter tilbage, ellers bliver det ikke lovligt."

“I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Godfrey Norton, bachelor.

Jeg blev halvt trukket op til alteret, og før jeg vidste, hvad der skete, fandt jeg mig selv mumlende svar, som blev hvisket i mit øre, og bekræftede ting, jeg ikke vidste noget om, og generelt hjalp jeg med at sikre, at Irene Adler, ugift kvinde, blev gift med Godfrey Norton, ungkarl.

It was all done in an instant, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front.

Det hele var overstået på et øjeblik, og der var herren, der takkede mig på den ene side, og damen på den anden, mens præsten smilede til mig foran mig.

It was the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just now.

Det var den mest absurde situation, jeg nogensinde har befundet mig i i mit liv, og det var tanken om det, der fik mig til at grine lige nu.

It seems that there had been some informality about their license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in search of a best man.

Det viser sig, at der var nogle uformalitet omkring deres licens, at præsten absolut nægtede at gifte dem uden et vidne af en slags, og at min heldige fremkomst reddede brudgommen fra at skulle gå ud på gaderne for at lede efter en forlover.

The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to wear it on my watch chain in memory of the occasion.”

Bruden gav mig en pundseddel, og jeg har tænkt mig at bære den på min urede for at huske denne lejlighed."

“This is a very unexpected turn of affairs,” said I; “and what then?”

"Det er en meget uventet udvikling," sagde jeg; "og hvad så?"

“Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced.

"Nå, jeg fandt mine planer meget alvorligt truet."

It looked as if the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate very prompt and energetic measures on my part.

Det så ud, som om parret ville tage afsted med det samme, og det nødvendiggjorde meget hurtige og energiske handlinger fra min side.

At the church door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and she to her own house.

Ved kirkedøren separerede de dog, han kørte tilbage til Temple, og hun til sit eget hus.

‘I shall drive out in the park at five as usual,’ she said as she left him.

"Jeg skal køre ud i parken klokken fem som sædvanligt," sagde hun, da hun forlod ham.

I heard no more.

Jeg hørte ikke mere.

They drove away in different directions, and I went off to make my own arrangements.”

De kørte væk i forskellige retninger, og jeg gik ud for at foretage mine egne arrangementer."

“Which are?”

"Hvilke?"

“Some cold beef and a glass of beer,” he answered, ringing the bell. “I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want your co-operation.”

"Noget koldt kød og et glas øl," svarede han og ringede på klokken. "Jeg har haft for travlt til at tænke på mad, og jeg vil sandsynligvis være endnu mere travl i aften. I øvrigt, doktor, vil jeg gerne have din hjælp."

“I shall be delighted.”

"Det vil jeg med glæde."

“You don’t mind breaking the law?”

"Du har ikke noget imod at bryde loven?"

“Not in the least.”

"Overhovedet ikke."

“Nor running a chance of arrest?”

"Eller at risikere at blive anholdt?"

“Not in a good cause.”

"Ikke hvis det er for en god sag."

“Oh, the cause is excellent!”

"Åh, sagen er fremragende!"

“Then I am your man.”

"Så er jeg din mand."

“I was sure that I might rely on you.”

"Jeg var sikker på, at jeg kunne stole på dig."

“But what is it you wish?”

"Men hvad er det, du ønsker?"

“When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you.

"Når Mrs. Turner har bragt bakken ind, vil jeg gøre det klart for dig."

Now,” he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that our landlady had provided, “I must discuss it while I eat, for I have not much time.

"Nu," sagde han, mens han sultent kastede sig over det enkle måltid, som vores værtinde havde forberedt, "må jeg diskutere det, mens jeg spiser, for jeg har ikke meget tid."

It is nearly five now.

Det er næsten fem nu.

In two hours we must be on the scene of action.

Om to timer skal vi være på aktionsstedet.

Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns from her drive at seven.

Miss Irene, eller Madame, vender tilbage fra sin køretur klokken syv.

We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her.”

Vi skal være på Briony Lodge for at møde hende."

“And what then?”

"Og hvad så?"

“You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must not interfere, come what may. You understand?”

"Det skal du overlade til mig. Jeg har allerede arrangeret, hvad der skal ske. Der er kun et punkt, jeg må insistere på. Du må ikke blande dig, uanset hvad der sker. Forstår du?"

“I am to be neutral?”

"Jeg skal være neutral?"

“To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to that open window.”

"Ikke gøre noget som helst. Der vil sandsynligvis være nogle små ubehageligheder. Du må ikke deltage i dem. Det vil ende med, at jeg bliver ført ind i huset. Fire eller fem minutter efter vil stuevinduet åbne sig. Du skal stille dig tæt på det åbne vindue."

“Yes.”

"Ja."

“You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you.”

"Du skal holde øje med mig, for jeg vil være synlig for dig."

“Yes.”

"Ja."

“And when I raise my hand—so—you will throw into the room what I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire. You quite follow me?”

"Og når jeg løfter min hånd - sådan - vil du kaste det, jeg giver dig til at kaste, ind i rummet og samtidig råbe "ild". Forstår du mig helt?"

“Entirely.”

"Helt."

“It is nothing very formidable,” he said, taking a long cigar-shaped roll from his pocket.

"Det er ikke særligt kompliceret," sagde han og tog en lang cigarformet rulle ud af lommen.

“It is an ordinary plumber’s smoke-rocket, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting.

"Det er en almindelig blikkenslager-røgfyr, udstyret med en hætte i begge ender, så den kan tænde sig selv."

Your task is confined to that.

"Din opgave er begrænset til det."

When you raise your cry of fire, it will be taken up by quite a number of people.

"Når du råber "ild", vil det blive hørt af en hel del mennesker."

You may then walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten minutes.

"Du kan derefter gå til enden af gaden, og jeg vil mødes med dig om ti minutter."

I hope that I have made myself clear?”

"Jeg håber, jeg har gjort mig forståelig?"

“I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street.”

"Jeg skal forblive neutral, gå tæt på vinduet, holde øje med dig, og ved signalet kaste denne genstand ind, derefter råbe "ild" og vente på dig ved hjørnet af gaden."

“Precisely.”

"Præcis."

“Then you may entirely rely on me.”

"Så kan du stole helt på mig."

“That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I prepare for the new role I have to play.”

"Det er fremragende. Jeg tror måske, det næsten er tid for mig at forberede mig til den nye rolle, jeg skal spille."

He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman.

Han forsvandt ind i sit soveværelse og vendte tilbage et par minutter senere i rollen som en venlig og naiv ikke-konform præst.

His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have equalled.

Hans brede sorte hat, hans baggy bukser, hans hvide slips, hans sympatiske smil og generelle udseende af nysgerrig og godgørende interesse var sådan, at kun Mr. John Hare kunne have matchet det.

It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume.

Det var ikke kun, at Holmes skiftede tøj.

His expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fresh part that he assumed.

Hans udtryk, hans manerer, hans sjæl syntes at ændre sig med hver ny rolle, han påtog sig.

The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in crime.

Teatret mistede en fremragende skuespiller, ligesom videnskaben mistede en skarp tænker, da han blev specialist i kriminalitet.

It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue.

Klokken var et kvart over seks, da vi forlod Baker Street, og der manglede stadig ti minutter, før vi var i Serpentine Avenue.

It was already dusk, and the lamps were just being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, waiting for the coming of its occupant.

Det var allerede skumring, og lygterne var lige blevet tændt, da vi gik frem og tilbage foran Briony Lodge og ventede på, at dens beboer skulle komme.

The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes’ succinct description, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected.

Huset var præcis, som jeg havde forestillet mig det ud fra Sherlock Holmes' kortfattede beskrivelse, men området virkede mindre privat, end jeg havde forventet.

On the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was remarkably animated.

Tværtimod var det for en lille gade i et roligt kvarter usædvanligt livligt.

There was a group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths.

Der var en gruppe af skidtklædte mænd, der røg og grinede i et hjørne, en saks-slibemand med sit hjul, to vagter, der flirtede med en sygeplejerske, og flere velklædte unge mænd, der slappede af og røg cigarer.

“You see,” remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the house, “this marriage rather simplifies matters.

"Du ser," bemærkede Holmes, da vi gik frem og tilbage foran huset, "at dette ægteskab forenkler sagerne en smule."

The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now.

Fotografiet bliver nu et tveægget våben.

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.

Chancerne er, at hun ville være lige så imod, at Mr. Godfrey Norton så det, som vores klient er imod, at hans prinsesse ser det."

Now the question is, Where are we to find the photograph?”

Nu er spørgsmålet: Hvor skal vi finde fotografiet?"

“Where, indeed?”

"Hvor, ja?"

“It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her.

"Det er højst usandsynligt, at hun bærer det rundt på sig."

It is cabinet size.

Det er kabinetstørrelse.

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

For stort til nemt at skjule i en kvindes tøj.

She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched.

Hun ved, at kongen er i stand til at overfald hende og gennemsøge hende.

Two attempts of the sort have already been made.

To forsøg af den slags er allerede blevet gjort."

We may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her.”

Vi kan altså antage, at hun ikke bærer det rundt på sig."

“Where, then?”

"Hvor så?"

“Her banker or her lawyer.

"Hendes bankmand eller hendes advokat."

There is that double possibility.

Der er denne dobbelte mulighed.

But I am inclined to think neither.

Men jeg er tilbøjelig til at tro, at det ikke er nogen af dem."

Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting.

Kvinder er naturligt hemmelighedsfulde, og de kan lide at gøre deres egne hemmeligheder."

Why should she hand it over to anyone else?

Hvorfor skulle hun overdrage det til nogen anden?"

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.

Hun kunne stole på sin egen værge, men hun kunne ikke vide, hvilken indirekte eller politisk indflydelse der kunne udøves over for en forretningsmand."

Besides, remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days.

Desuden skal du huske, at hun havde besluttet sig for at bruge det inden for få dage."

It must be where she can lay her hands upon it.

Det må være et sted, hvor hun kan få fat i det."

It must be in her own house.”

Det må være i hendes eget hus."

“But it has twice been burgled.”

"Men det er blevet røvet to gange."

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

"Pshaw! De vidste ikke, hvordan de skulle lede efter det."

“But how will you look?”

"Men hvordan vil du lede efter det?"

“I will not look.”

"Jeg vil ikke lede efter det."

“What then?”

"Og hvad så?"

“I will get her to show me.”

"Jeg vil få hende til at vise mig det."

“But she will refuse.”

"Men hun vil nægte."

“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.”

"Det vil hun ikke kunne. Men jeg hører lyden af hjul. Det er hendes vogn. Udfør nu mine ordrer til punkt og prikke."

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

Da han talte, kom lyset fra en vogns forlygter rundt om hjørnet af alléen.

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

Det var en smart lille landau, som rullede op til døren af 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.

Da den stoppede, skyndte en af de ledige mænd på hjørnet sig frem for at åbne døren i håb om at tjene en penny, men blev skubbet væk af en anden ledig mand, som var kommet løbende med samme 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.

Et voldsomt skænderi brød ud, som blev forstærket af de to vagter, som tog parti for en af de ledige mænd, og af saksesmeden, som ligeledes tog parti for den anden.

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.

Et slag blev udvekslet, og i løbet af et øjeblik var damen, som var steget ud af sin vogn, i centrum af en lille knude af rødmende og kæmpende mænd, som slog hårdt på hinanden med deres næver og stokke.

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.

Holmes styrtede ind i mængden for at beskytte damen; men lige da han nåede frem til hende, gav han et råb og faldt til jorden, mens blodet løb frit ned ad hans ansigt.

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.

Da han faldt, tog vagterne flugten i den ene retning, og de ledige mænd i den anden, mens en række bedre klædte personer, som havde overværet slagsmålet uden at deltage i det, kom frem for at hjælpe damen og tage sig af den sårede mand.

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.

Irene Adler, som jeg stadig vil kalde hende, havde hurtigt taget trappen op; men hun stod øverst med sin fantastiske figur silhuet mod lyset i hallen og kiggede tilbage på gaden.

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

"Er den stakkels herre hårdt såret?" spurgte hun.

“He is dead,” cried several voices.

"Han er død," råbte flere stemmer.

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

"Nej, nej, der er liv i ham!" råbte en anden. "Men han vil være væk, før I kan få ham på hospitalet."

“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.”

"Han er en modig fyr," sagde en kvinde. "De ville have taget damens pung og ur, hvis det ikke havde været for ham. De var en bande, og en hård en også. Åh, han trækker vejret nu."

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

"Han kan ikke ligge på gaden. Må vi bringe ham ind, frue?"

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

"Bestemt. Bring ham ind i stuen. Der er en behagelig sofa. Denne vej, tak!"

Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings from my post by the window.

Langsomt og højtideligt blev han båret ind i Briony Lodge og lagt i hovedrummet, mens jeg stadig observerede begivenhederne fra min plads ved vinduet.

The lamps had been lit, but the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch.

Lamperne var tændt, men persiennerne var ikke trukket ned, så jeg kunne se Holmes, da han lå på sofaen.

I do not know whether he was seized with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the injured man.

Jeg ved ikke, om han i det øjeblik følte anger for den rolle, han spillede, men jeg ved, at jeg aldrig i mit liv har følt mig mere skamfuld over mig selv, end da jeg så det smukke væsen, jeg sammensvor mig imod, eller den ynde og venlighed, hvormed hun tog sig af den sårede mand.

And yet it would be the blackest treachery to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted to me.

Og alligevel ville det være det mest forræderiske over for Holmes at trække sig tilbage nu fra den rolle, han havde betroet mig.

I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under my ulster.

Jeg hærdede mit hjerte og tog røgfyrværkeriet frem fra min ulster.

After all, I thought, we are not injuring her.

Når alt kommer til alt, tænkte jeg, skader vi hende ikke.

We are but preventing her from injuring another.

Vi forhindrer hende blot i at skade en anden..

Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of air.

Holmes havde sat sig op på sofaen, og jeg så ham bevæge sig som en mand, der har brug for luft.

A maid rushed across and threw open the window.

En tjenestepige skyndte sig hen og åbnede vinduet.

At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of “Fire!”

I samme øjeblik så jeg ham løfte sin hånd, og på signalet kastede jeg min raket ind i rummet med et råb om "Ild!"

The word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well dressed and ill—gentlemen, ostlers, and servant maids—joined in a general shriek of “Fire!”

Ikke før ordet var kommet ud af min mund, før hele mængden af tilskuere, velklædte og mindre velklædte - herrer, staldknægte og tjenestepiger - sluttede sig til et generelt råb om "Ild!"

Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window.

Tykke skyer af røg krøllede gennem rummet og ud ad det åbne vindue.

I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm.

Jeg fangede et glimt af løbende figurer, og et øjeblik senere hørte jeg Holmes' stemme indefra, hvor han forsikrede dem om, at det var en falsk alarm.

Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend’s arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar.

Jeg sluttede mig til den skrigende menneskemængde og fandt mig selv på gadehjørnet ti minutter senere, hvor jeg med glæde fandt min vens arm i min og kom væk fra stedet med al tumulten.

He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Edgeware Road.

Han gik hurtigt og i stilhed i et par minutter, indtil vi svingede ned ad en af de stille gader, der fører mod Edgeware Road.

“You did it very nicely, Doctor,” he remarked. “Nothing could have been better. It is all right.”

"Du gjorde det rigtig godt, doktor," bemærkede han. "Intet kunne have været bedre. Det er helt i orden."

“You have the photograph?”

"Har du billedet?"

“I know where it is.”

"Jeg ved, hvor det er."

“And how did you find out?”

"Og hvordan fandt du ud af det?"

“She showed me, as I told you she would.”

"Hun viste mig det, som jeg fortalte dig, at hun ville gøre."

“I am still in the dark.”

"Jeg er stadig i tvivl."

“I do not wish to make a mystery,” said he, laughing. “The matter was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening.”

"Jeg vil ikke gøre et mysterium ud af det," sagde han og grinede. "Sagen var helt enkel. Du så selvfølgelig, at alle i gaden var medskyldige. De var alle indblandet i aftenens planer."

“I guessed as much.”

"Det gættede jeg nok."

“Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick.”

"Så da skænderiet brød ud, havde jeg en lille fugtig rød maling i min håndflade. Jeg styrtede frem, faldt ned, lagde min hånd foran mit ansigt og blev et ynkeligt syn. Det er et gammelt trick."

“That also I could fathom.”

"Det kunne jeg også gennemskue."

“Then they carried me in.

"Og så bar de mig indenfor."

She was bound to have me in.

"Hun var nødt til at lade mig komme ind."

What else could she do?

"Hvad skulle hun ellers gøre?"

And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which I suspected.

Og ind i hendes stue, som var det helt nøjagtige rum, jeg havde mistænkt.

It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was determined to see which.

Det lå mellem det og hendes soveværelse, og jeg var fast besluttet på at se, hvilket det var.

They laid me on a couch, I motioned for air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your chance.”

De lagde mig på en sofa, jeg gjorde tegn til at få luft, de var nødt til at åbne vinduet, og du fik din chance."

“How did that help you?”

"Hvordan hjalp det dig?"

“It was all-important.

"Det var helt afgørende."

When a woman thinks that her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she values most.

"Når en kvinde tror, at hendes hus er i brand, er hendes instinkt straks at skynde sig hen til det, hun værdsætter mest."

It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have more than once taken advantage of it.

"Det er en helt overvældende impuls, og jeg har mere end én gang udnyttet det."

In the case of the Darlington Substitution Scandal it was of use to me, and also in the Arnsworth Castle business.

"I Darlington-substitutionsskandalen var det til nytte for mig, og også i Arnsworth Castle-sagen."

A married woman grabs at her baby; an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box.

"En gift kvinde griber efter sit barn; en ugift kvinde rækker efter sin smykkeskrin."

Now it was clear to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to her than what we are in quest of.

"Nu var det klart for mig, at vores dame i dag ikke havde noget i huset, der var mere værdifuldt for hende end det, vi søger efter."

She would rush to secure it.

"Hun ville skynde sig for at sikre det."

The alarm of fire was admirably done.

"Brandalarmen var udmærket udført."

The smoke and shouting were enough to shake nerves of steel.

"Røgen og råbene var nok til at ryste selv de mest stålsatte nerver."

She responded beautifully.

"Hun reagerede smukt."

The photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the right bell-pull.

"Fotografiet er i en niche bag et skydedørspanel lige over det højre klokketræk."

She was there in an instant, and I caught a glimpse of it as she half drew it out.

"Hun var der på et øjeblik, og jeg fangede et glimt af det, da hun halvt trak det ud."

When I cried out that it was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed from the room, and I have not seen her since.

"Da jeg råbte, at det var en falsk alarm, satte hun det tilbage, kiggede på raketten, styrtede ud af rummet, og jeg har ikke set hende siden."

I rose, and, making my excuses, escaped from the house.

"Jeg rejste mig og undskyldte og slap ud af huset."

I hesitated whether to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly, it seemed safer to wait.

"Jeg tøvede med at forsøge at sikre fotografiet med det samme, men kuskens var kommet ind, og da han overvågede mig nøje, virkede det mere sikkert at vente."

A little over-precipitance may ruin all.”

"En smule overilighed kan ødelægge alt."

“And now?” I asked.

"Og nu?" spurgte jeg.

“Our quest is practically finished.

"Vores søgen er næsten færdig."

I shall call with the King to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us.

"Jeg skal besøge kongen i morgen, og dig, hvis du vil med os."

We will be shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the photograph.

"Vi vil blive ført ind i stuen for at vente på damen, men det er sandsynligt, at når hun kommer, vil hun ikke finde os eller fotografiet."

It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain it with his own hands.”

"Det ville måske være en tilfredsstillelse for Hans Majestæt at genvinde det med sine egne hænder."

“And when will you call?”

"Og hvornår skal du besøge ham?"

“At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the King without delay.”

"Klokken otte om morgenen. Hun vil ikke være oppe, så vi vil have frie hænder. Desuden skal vi være hurtige, for dette ægteskab kan betyde en fuldstændig ændring i hendes liv og vaner. Jeg skal sende et telegram til kongen uden forsinkelse."

We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said:

Vi var nået til Baker Street og stoppede ved døren. Han ledte i sine lommer efter nøglen, da en forbipasserende sagde:

“Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes.”

"Godnat, Mr. Sherlock Holmes."

There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by.

Der var flere mennesker på fortovet på det tidspunkt, men hilsenen syntes at komme fra en slank ungdom i en ulster, som var gået forbi i en fart.

“I’ve heard that voice before,” said Holmes, staring down the dimly lit street. “Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have been.”

"Jeg har hørt den stemme før," sagde Holmes og stirrede ned ad den svagt oplyste gade. "Nu, jeg spekulerer på, hvem fanden det kunne have været."

I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed into the room.

Jeg sov på Baker Street den nat, og vi var i gang med at spise vores toast og kaffe om morgenen, da kongen af Böhmen kom løbende ind i rummet.

“You have really got it!” he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face.

"Du har virkelig fået det!" råbte han og greb Sherlock Holmes i begge skuldre og kiggede ivrigt ind i hans ansigt.

“Not yet.”

"Ikke endnu."

“But you have hopes?”

"Men du har håb?"

“I have hopes.”

"Jeg har håb."

“Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone.”

"Så kom. Jeg er helt utålmodig efter at komme afsted."

“We must have a cab.”

"Vi skal have en taxa."

“No, my brougham is waiting.”

"Nej, min brougham venter."

“Then that will simplify matters.” We descended and started off once more for Briony Lodge.

"Så vil det forenkle tingene." Vi gik ned og startede igen mod Briony Lodge.

“Irene Adler is married,” remarked Holmes.

"Irene Adler er gift," bemærkede Holmes.

“Married! When?”

"Gift! Hvornår?"

“Yesterday.”

"I går."

“But to whom?”

"Men med hvem?"

“To an English lawyer named Norton.”

"Med en engelsk advokat ved navn Norton."

“But she could not love him.”

"Men hun kunne ikke elske ham."

“I am in hopes that she does.”

"Jeg håber, at hun gør det."

“And why in hopes?”

"Og hvorfor håber du det?"

“Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason why she should interfere with your Majesty’s plan.”

"Fordi det ville spare Deres Majestæt for enhver frygt for fremtidige gener. Hvis damen elsker sin mand, elsker hun ikke Deres Majestæt. Hvis hun ikke elsker Deres Majestæt, er der ingen grund til, at hun skulle forstyrre Deres Majestæts planer."

“It is true. And yet—! Well! I wish she had been of my own station! What a queen she would have made!” He relapsed into a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Serpentine Avenue.

"Det er sandt. Og alligevel—! Nå ja! Jeg ville ønske, at hun havde været af min egen rang! Hvilken dronning hun ville have været!" Han faldt tilbage i en melankolsk stilhed, som først blev brudt, da vi stoppede i Serpentine Avenue.

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.

Døren til Briony Lodge var åben, og en ældre kvinde stod på trappetrinene. Hun betragtede os med et sarkastisk blik, da vi steg ud af broughamen.

“Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?” said she.

"Mr. Sherlock Holmes, tror jeg?" sagde hun.

“I am Mr. Holmes,” answered my companion, looking at her with a questioning and rather startled gaze.

"Jeg er Mr. Holmes," svarede min ledsager og kiggede på hende med et spørgende og ret forbløffet blik.

“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.”

"Ja da! Min herreinde fortalte mig, at De sandsynligvis ville komme på besøg. Hun tog afsted i morges med sin mand med toget kl. 5:15 fra Charing Cross til kontinentet."

“What!” Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and surprise. “Do you mean that she has left England?”

"Hvad?" Sherlock Holmes vaklede tilbage, bleg af skuffelse og overraskelse. "Mener De, at hun har forladt England?"

“Never to return.”

"For aldrig at vende tilbage."

“And the papers?” asked the King hoarsely. “All is lost.”

"Og papirerne?" spurgte kongen hæst. "Alt er tabt."

“We shall see.”

"Vi får se."

He pushed past the servant and rushed into the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself.

Han skubbede forbi tjenestepigen og skyndte sig ind i stuen, efterfulgt af kongen og mig selv.

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.

Møblerne var spredt ud i alle retninger, med afmonterede hylder og åbne skuffer, som om damen hurtigt havde gennemsøgt dem før sin flugt.

Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and a letter.

Holmes styrtede frem til klokkeknoppen, rev et lille skydedør åbent og fiskede en fotografi og et brev frem med sin hånd.

The photograph was of Irene Adler herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to “Sherlock Holmes, Esq.

Fotografiet var af Irene Adler selv i aftenkjole, og brevet var adresseret til "Sherlock Holmes, Esq."

To be left till called for.”

"At blive efterladt, indtil der bliver bedt om det."

My friend tore it open, and we all three read it together.

Min ven rev det op, og vi læste det alle tre sammen.

It was dated at midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way:

Det var dateret midnat den foregående nat og lød således:

“MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,—You really did it very well.

"MIN KÆRE HERR SHERLOCK HOLMES, - Du gjorde det virkelig godt."

You took me in completely.

"Du narrede mig fuldstændigt."

Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a suspicion.

"Indtil efter brandalarmen havde jeg ikke den ringeste mistanke."

But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I began to think.

"Men da jeg indså, hvordan jeg havde forrådt mig selv, begyndte jeg at tænke."

I had been warned against you months ago.

"Jeg blev advaret mod dig for flere måneder siden."

I had been told that, if the King employed an agent, it would certainly be you.

"Jeg fik at vide, at hvis kongen brugte en agent, ville det helt sikkert være dig."

And your address had been given me.

"Og din adresse var blevet givet til mig."

Yet, with all this, you made me reveal what you wanted to know.

"Alligevel fik du mig til at afsløre det, du ønskede at vide."

Even after I became suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind old clergyman.

"Selv efter at jeg blev mistænksom, fandt jeg det svært at tænke ondt om sådan en kærlig, venlig gammel præst."

But, you know, I have been trained as an actress myself.

"Men du ved, jeg er selv uddannet skuespillerinde."

Male costume is nothing new to me.

"Herredragter er ikke noget nyt for mig."

I often take advantage of the freedom which it gives.

"Jeg udnytter ofte den frihed, de giver."

I sent John, the coachman, to watch you, ran upstairs, got into my walking clothes, as I call them, and came down just as you departed.

"Jeg sendte John, kusken, for at holde øje med dig, løb op ad trappen, tog mit 'gåtøj', som jeg kalder det, på og kom ned lige da du tog afsted."

“Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and started for the Temple to see my husband.

"Nå, jeg fulgte dig til din dør og var sikker på, at jeg virkelig var en interessant person for den berømte Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Så hilste jeg temmelig uklogt på dig og tog afsted til Temple for at se min mand."

“We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you call to-morrow.

"Vi mente begge, at det bedste var at flygte, når vi blev forfulgt af sådan en frygtindgydende modstander; så du vil finde reden tom, når du ringer i morgen."

As to the photograph, your client may rest in peace.

"Hvad angår fotografiet, kan din klient hvile i fred."

I love and am loved by a better man than he.

"Jeg elsker og bliver elsket af en bedre mand end ham."

The King may do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wronged.

"Kongen kan gøre, hvad han vil, uden at blive hindret af en, som han har behandlet så grusomt."

I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might take in the future.

"Jeg beholder det kun for at beskytte mig selv og for at bevare et våben, som altid vil sikre mig mod enhver handling, han måtte foretage sig i fremtiden."

I leave a photograph which he might care to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes,

"Jeg efterlader et fotografi, som han måske gerne vil have; og jeg forbliver, kære Mr. Sherlock Holmes."

“Very truly yours,

"Med venlig hilsen."

“IRENE NORTON, née ADLER.”

"IRENE NORTON, født ADLER."

“What a woman—oh, what a woman!” cried the King of Bohemia, when we had all three read this epistle. “Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?”

"Sikke en kvinde - åh, sikke en kvinde!" udbrød kongen af Böhmen, da vi alle tre havde læst dette brev. "Sagde jeg ikke, hvor hurtig og beslutsom hun var? Ville hun ikke have været en fremragende dronning? Er det ikke en skam, at hun ikke var på mit niveau?"

“From what I have seen of the lady, she seems, indeed, to be on a very different level to your Majesty,” said Holmes coldly. “I am sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty’s business to a more successful conclusion.”

"Ud fra det, jeg har set af damen, synes hun faktisk at være på et meget andet niveau end Deres Majestæt," sagde Holmes koldt. "Jeg beklager, at jeg ikke har været i stand til at bringe Deres Majestæts sag til en mere vellykket afslutning."

“On the contrary, my dear sir,” cried the King; “nothing could be more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire.”

"Tværtimod, min kære herre," udbrød kongen; "intet kunne være mere vellykket. Jeg ved, at hendes ord er urokkeligt. Fotografiet er nu lige så sikkert, som hvis det var i ilden."

“I am glad to hear your Majesty say so.”

"Jeg er glad for at høre Deres Majestæt sige det."

“I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward you. This ring—” He slipped an emerald snake ring from his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand.

"Jeg er uhyre taknemmelig over for Dem. Fortæl mig venligst, hvordan jeg kan belønne Dem. Denne ring -" Han tog en smaragdslange-ring af sin finger og holdt den frem på sin håndflade.

“Your Majesty has something which I should value even more highly,” said Holmes.

"Deres Majestæt har noget, som jeg ville værdsætte endnu mere," sagde Holmes.

“You have but to name it.”

"Du skal blot nævne det."

“This photograph!”

"Dette fotografi!"

The King stared at him in amazement.

Kongen stirrede forbløffet på ham.

“Irene’s photograph!” he cried. “Certainly, if you wish it.”

"Irenes fotografi!" udbrød han. "Bestemt, hvis De ønsker det."

“I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good morning.” He bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his chambers.

"Jeg takker Deres Majestæt. Så er der ikke mere at gøre i sagen. Jeg har den ære at ønske Dem en rigtig god morgen." Han buede og vendte sig bort uden at lægge mærke til den hånd, som kongen havde rakt ud til ham, og gik sammen med mig op til sine værelser.

And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman’s wit.

Og det var sådan, at en stor skandale truede med at påvirke kongeriget Böhmen, og hvordan Mr. Sherlock Holmes' bedste planer blev slået af en kvindes opfindsomhed.

He used to make merry over the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late.

Han plejede at gøre grin med kvinders opfindsomhed, men jeg har ikke hørt ham gøre det for nylig.

And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman.

Og når han taler om Irene Adler, eller når han refererer til hendes fotografi, er det altid under den ærefulde titel af kvinden.