Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-07-06

sum which she could get by turning
her diamonds into paste. 1t Ia 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 n paragraph in the
| Morning Post to say that IL was all
of. And why? II is almost incredible.
but the absurd sum Of fi.2OO would
have settled tho whole question. Is II
not pitiful? And here I find You. a
man Of sense. boggling about terms
when your clients future and honor
are at stake. You surprise me, MIR.
| Holmes"
"What say Is true" Holmes an
swcrcd. "rhc money cannot he found.
Surely 1t is better for you to take the
substantial sum which offer than TO
ruin this woman's career, which can
profit you in no way"
"There you make mistake. Mr..
Holmes. An exposure would profit Inc
Indirectly to a considerable extent.
have eight or ten similar cases mntur-
ing If It was circulated among them
that I had made n 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.
"Get behind him, Watson! Don't let
him out! Now. sir. let us see the con-
tents of that notebook"
Milverton bad glided ms quick as a
A. a
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? I assure you that I am arm
ed TO the teeth, and I am perfectly
prepared to use my weapons, knowing
that the law will support me. Be-
sides. your snpposition that I would
bring the letters here in n notebook Is
entirely mistaken. I 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 laid 1t down again.
With bow, smile and n twinkle
Milvcrton was out OF the room. and n
few moments after we heard the slam
~l,a -, -
the wheels as he drove away.
Holmes sat motionless by the fire. his
hands buried deep in his trousers pock-
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 n man
who has taken his decision. he sprang
to his feet and passed into his bedroom.
A little later rakish young workman,
with n goatee beard and a swagger lit
his clay pipe at the lamp before de-
scending into the street. "Ill be back
some time, Watson" said he, and van.
ishcd into the night. ! understood that
he had opened his campaign against
Charles August Milvcrton. 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
wild, tcmpestuous 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
nun, Watson?"
mo, indeed"
you'll be interested to hear that I'm
engaged"
MY dear follow! congrat'-
ITO Milvertons housemad."
Good heavens Holiness"
81 wanted information. Watson"
"Surely you have gone too far"
ut was a most necessary step. am
a plumber, with a rising business, Es-
colt by name. l have walked out with
her each evening and l have talked
with her. Good heavens. those talks.
However, l have got all wanted.
know Milverton's house as l know the
palm of my hand
But the girl. Holmes?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
You can't help it, my dear Watson.
You must play your cards as best you
can when such a stake is on the table.
However. l rejoice to say that | have
q hated rival. who will certainly cut
me out the instant that my back Is
turned. What a splendid night it ISL
You like this weather."
ut suits my purpose. Watson, I
mean to burgle Milvertons house to.
night"
l had a catching of the breath and
my skin went cold at the words, which
were slowly uttered in tone of con.
centrated resolution. AS a flash Of
lightning In the night shows up in an
instant ev0ry detail OF wild land.
scapp, so at one glance I seemed to SEQ
every possible result of such an action
the detection, the capture, the hon
orcd career ending in irreparablc fail.
ure and disgrace, my friend himself ~.
ing ut the mercy of the odious Nllver.
ton.
=, ~, 49, a..