Morris tribune., 1905-08-12

and that you will return the letters at
the price indicate, which is, assure
you, the highest that you can get"
Milverton's smile broadened and his
eyes twinkled humorously.
II am aware that what you say is
true about the lSdy's resources" said
he Eat the same time you must adj
nit that the occasion Of lady's mar
riage is a very suitable time for her
friends and relatives to make some lit
tie effort upon her behalf. They may
hesitate as to an acceptable wedding
present Let me assure them that this
little bundle of letters would give more
Joy than all the candelabra and butter
dishes in London
cit is impossible said Holmes.
"Dear me, dear me, how unfortu-
mater cried Milverton, taking out a
bulky pocketbook 81 cannot help
! thinking that ladies are ill advised in
not making an effort. Look at this!'
He held up little note with a coat of
arms upon the envelope. "That be-
longs lowell, perhaps it is hardly fair
to tell the name until tomorrow morn
ing But at that time it will be in the
hands of the lady's husband. And all
because she will not find beggarly
sum which she could get by turning
! her diamonds into paste. 1t is such a
pity! Now, you remember the sudden
end of the engagement between the
Honorable Miss Miles and Colonel
Dorking? Only two days before the
wedding there was paragraph in the
Morning Post to say that it was all
off, And why? 1t is almost incredible,
but the absurd sum of Fl, 200 would
have settled the whole question. Is it
not pitiful? And here I find you, a
man of sense, BICYCLING about terms
when your clients future and honor
are at stake. You surprise me, Mr..
Holmes"
"What I say is true" Holmes an
swered. "The money cannot be found.
Surely it is better for you to take the
substantial sum which I offer than to
ruin this Woman's career, which can
profit you in no way"
'There you make a mistake, Mr..
indirectly to considerable extent. [
have eight or ten similar cases matur-
ing. If it was circulated among them
that | had made severe example Of
the Lady Eva, I should find all Of
them much more open to reason. You
see my point?"
Holmes sprang from his chair.
No., 1o&
him out. Now, sir, let us see the con-
tents Of that notebook"
Milverton had glided as quick as a
rat to the side of the room and stood
with his back against the wall.
''Mr Holmes, Mr.. Holiness" he said,
turning the front of his coat and ex-
hibiting the butt of large revolver,
which projected from the inside pocket,
II have been expecting you to do some
thing original. This has been done so
often, and what good has ever come
from it? 1 assure you that am arm
ed to the teeth, and l am perfectly
prepared to use my weapons, knowing
that the law will support me. Be
sides, your supposition that | would
bring the letters here in notebook Is
entirely mistaken. | would do nothing
so foolish. And now, gentlemen,
have one or two little interviews this
evening, and it is a long drive to
Hampstead" He stepped forward,
took up his coat, laid his hand on his
revolver and turned to the door.
picked up a chair, but Holmes shook
his head, and 1 laid it down again.
With bow, smile and twinkle
Milverton was out Of the room, and
few moments after we heard the slam
Of the carriage door and the rattle Of
the wheels as he drove away.
Holmes sat motionless by the fire, his
hands buried deep in his trousers peck
cts, his chin sunk upon his breast, his
eyes fixed upon the glowing embers.
For half an hour he was silent and
still. Then, with the gesture Of man
who has taken his decision, he sprang
to his feet and passed into his bedroom.
A little later rakish young workman,
with a goatee beard and swagger, lit
his clay pipe at the lamp before de-
scending into the street. "Tll be back
some time, Watson" said he, and van
ished into the night. understood that
he had opened his campaign against
Charles August Milverton, but little
dreamed the strange shape which that
campaign was destined to take
For some days Holmes came and
went at all hours in this attire, but be-
yond remark that his time was spent
at Hampstead and that it was not
wasted I knew nothing Of what he
was doing. At last, however, on a
wild, tempestuous evening, when the
wind screamed and ratified against the
windows, he returned from his last ex-
petition, and, having removed his dis
guise, he sat before the fire and laugh
ed heartily in his silent inward fashion.
''You would not call me marrying
man, WatsonY
"No, indeedw
you'll be interested to hear that Pm
engaged
''My dear fellow! I congrat',