Sweet Adelina-Page 4

THE QUEEN OF SONG—Page Four

As for Francis Ferdinand, his attempt to recover the picture had failed. Further pursuit of Patti was out of the question. His only way out was to take Patti at her word and accept defeat like a gentleman. Besides, he probably had other fires to put out. And note his comments, “Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen?” and “What a queen she would have made.” Watson knew that Patti was known as “The Queen of Song.” He couldn't resist dropping a little hint.

In spite of his efforts at subterfuge, Watson left us another clue, undetected until now. Let's play a word game. Patti's first name was Adelina. If we anglicize it to Adeline, let's see what we have. Take the first four letters, add an “r”, move them around a little and what do you have? Adler. Now take the last three letters, “i”, “n” & “e” and add an “r” and an “e” and what do you have? Irene. Without a doubt, Irene Adler was Adelina Patti.

(Myrtle Robinson is a long-time member and secretary of The Hansom Wheels Scion Society in Columbia, SC)

REFERENCES

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/adelina-patti/

http://www.marstonrecords.com/patti/patti_liner.htm

http://sdsd.essortment.com/adelinapatti_rbvm.htm