Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-05
CHARLES AUGUSTUS MILvERToN,
 Appledore Towers, Agent. Hampstead.
Agent.

"WhO is he!" l asked.
 ssThe worst man in London" Holmes answered as he sat down and stretched bis legs before the fire ''1s anything on sthe back of the card?"
 I turned 1t over.
 twill call at 6:30IC. "A M.,' read.
 "Hum! He's about due. Do you feel a creeping, shrinking sensation, wat son, when you stand before the ser pents in the zoo and see the slithery, gliding, venomous creatures, with their deadly eyes and wicked, flattened faces? We'll, that's how Mllverton i'm presses me. I've had to do with fifty murderers in my career, but the worst of them never gave me the repulsion which have for this fellow. And yet II can't get out of doing business with < shim-indeed, he isiherei atimy inHita- 2 tion."
 2 "But who is he?"
 "I'll tell you. Watson. He is the king of all the blackmailers Heaven help the man, and still more the woman, whose secret and reputation come into the power of Milverton. With a smil- ing face and heart of marble, he will squeeze and squeeze until he has drain ed them dry. The fellow Is genius , in his way and would have made his : mark in some more savory trade. His q method is as follows: He allows it to 1 be known that he is prepared to pay very high sums for letters which con- promise people of wealth and position. He receives these wares not only from treacherous valets or maids, but fire Quently from genteel rufiians who have gained the confidence and affection of trusting women. He deals with no nig- gard hand. I happen to know that he paid f700 to a footman for note two lines in length and that the ruin of noble family was the result. Every thing which is in the market goes to Nilverton. and there are hundreds in ! this great city who turn white at his ' name. No one knows where his grip may fall. for he Is far too rich and far too cunning to work from hand 10 mouth. He will hold a card back for years in order to play ii at the moment when the stake is best worth winning. l have said that be is the worst man in London, and would ask you how could one compare the rrffian who in hot blood bludgeons his mate with thls I man who methOdically and at his le' , sure tortures the soul and wrings il : nerves in order to add to his alread swollen money bagsT
 had seldom heard my friend speak with such intensity of feeling.
 "But surely" said I, the fellow must be within the grasp of the lawi"
 Technically. no doubt, but practical ly not What would it profit a woman. for example. to get him few months imprisonment if her own ruin must immediately fOllowt His victims dare not hit back. If ever be blackmaiIed an innocent person. then indeed we should have him, but he Is as cunning as the evil one. No. no: we must ind ether ways to fight him.
 sAnd why is he bereI"
 "Because an iliustrious client has placed her piteOus case in my hands It is the Lady Eva Blackwell. the most beautiful debutaute of last season. She is to be married in a fortnight 10 the Earl of DOvsrcourt. This fiend has several imp-JIdent letters-impru- as1t.i Watson. nothing wOTse-vhich Sere written to an inpecunious young squire in the country. They would sui ace to break of the match. MiIverton will send the letters 10 the earl unless large sum of nOaey is paid him I have been commissioned tO meet him and to make the best terms can.
 At that instant there was a cIatter and a rattle in the street below. Look ing down. I saw a stately carriage and pair. the brilliant lamps giesning on the glossy hauRcises of the noble chest nuts. A f0Otmzn opened the door. and small. stout man ia a shaggy as trakhan overcoat deSce1ded A min ute later he was fr the rpo1-
 z Chzrie< Augustus MiIvertou Nzs a man of fifty. with large. inteIle\rual head a r01nd- piuup hairless fzA perpetual fruze1 s1ile and two kAp 9ay s5e vtich Elezzed hrightA 7.