A Scandal in Bohemia

The King of Bohemia hires Holmes to retrieve a compromising photograph from the beautiful and clever opera singer, Irene Adler. The King had a past affair with her, and now he is about to marry a princess from a rival royal family. If the photograph becomes public, it could ruin the engagement. Holmes uses several disguises and a staged fire to locate where Irene keeps the photo. However, Irene outsmarts him: she realizes his trick, flees with the photograph, and leaves a letter for Holmes, promising never to use it against the King. Holmes is defeated by her intelligence. He keeps her photograph as a trophy and always refers to her respectfully as "the woman."