Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-25

dence that l allude to them. For long
time, even with the utmost discretion and
reticence, 1t would have been Impossible
to make the facts public, but now the
principal person concerned is beyond the
reach of human law, and with due suppress
sion the story may be told in such fasmoh
as to injure no one. 1t records an absolute
w unique experience in the career both OF
Mt Sherlock Holmes and of myself. The
reader will excuse me if | conceal the date
or any other fact by which he might trace
the actual occurrence.
We had been out for one of our evening
rambIes. Holmes and |, and had returned
about O'Clock on cold frosty winter
evening As Holmes turned up the lamp
the light fell upon card on the table. ne
glanced at it. and then, with an eJacula-
ton of disgust. threw it on the floor. l
picked 1t up and read
Charles Augustus Milverton
Appedore Towers,
Agent Hampstead
"Who IS he?" | asked.
1.-THE worst man in London" Holmes an
swered, as he sat down and stretched ms
legs before the fire. lis anything on the
back of the card?''
turned it over.
"Will call at 6:3O-C. A NJ ieiu'
''Hum! He's about due. Do you leel
creeping. shrinking sensation, Watson when
You stand before the serpents IN the Hoo'
and see the slithery. gliding VenoLnou Il
creatures with their deadly eyes ana "iCh-
ed Aattened faces? Well. that's how MIL
yerton impresses me. I've had 10 90 VIII
fifty murderers in my career put the W.
of them never gave me the repulSioli " mt r,at
I have for this fellow. And yet can eet
ont of doing business with him-lndeeu' lie
is here at my invitation.
but who is he? IT,, 20
I'm tell you, Watson. He IS the hlIS VI
all the blackmailers Heaven help the man,
and still more the woman, whose secret
and reputation come into the power Oh VII WI.
verton! With a smiling face ana leSt.
of marble he will squeeze ana SQUEEZE , uL
iii he has drained them dry. Inc reno"
&C. Genius i'm his way and would have
made his mark in some more SaNoi u"ue,
His method is as follows: He allows 1t 10 pS
known that he is prepared to pay very ns
surus for letters which compromise people
% wealth and position. He receives these
wares not only from treacherous HalsS9 vi
maids but frequently from genteei iulLi se
who have gained the confidence anu aleI
tion Of trusting women. he deals Win ~
81 hand I happen to know that ne
Maid seven hundred pounds TO loOIuhau
FOR note two lines in length anu M
the ruin of a noble family was the result.
EVERYTHING which is in the nlarkeL 80 -
To MiIverton. and there are hundreus IN
This great city who turn White az
his name. No one knows Wnere ms StIP
may fall for he is far too rlch anu Ldi ~
rnnning TO work from hand TO mouth. ne
will hold a card back for years IN oruer 70
nlay it at the moment when the STAKE Is
hest worth winning. l have SAID that ne
is the worst man in London, ana l M3uiu
q ak YOU how could one compare the ruhian
who I'm hot blood bludgeOns his mate Win
this man, who methodically and at his lei
sure tOrtures the soul and Wrl'ss the nerves
in order to add to his already swollen
mOney-bags?' ~,
had seldom heard my friend speak with
such intensity of feeling.
But surely" said l, the fellow must be
within the grasp of the law?'
"Technicaily, no doubt, but practically
not What would it profit a woman, for
example to get him few months lmprlS-
ment II her own ruin must Immediately fol-
ever he blackmailed an innocent person.
then, indeed We should have him, but he is
as cunning as the evil one. No, no, we
must find other ways to fight him"
And why is he here?'
because an ilustrious client has placed
her piteOus case in my hands. 1t is the
Lady Eva Blackwell, the most beautiful
debutante of last season. She is to be
married in a fortnight to the Earl of Dow
ercourt. This fiend has several imprudent
letters-imprudent, Watson, nothing worse
which were written to an impecunOus
young squire in the country. They would
will send the letters to the earl unless a
large sum Of money is paid him. l have
been commissioned to meet him, and-to
make the best terms | can"
At that instant there was a clatter and
rattle in the street below. Looking down 1
saw stately carriage and pair, the bril-
liant lamps cleaning on the glossy launches
of the noble chestnuts. A footman opened
the door. and a small, stout man. In a
shaggy astrakhan overCoat, descended A
minute later he was in the room.
Charles Augustus Milverton was a man
or hfty. with large. intellectual head a
round, plump. hairless face a perpetual
frozen smile and two keen gray eyes, which
CLEANED brightly from behind broad gold
trimmed glasses There was something Of
Mr.. PlCkWiCks beneVOlence in his appear r
ance, marred only by the insincerity Of the
fixed smile and by the hard glitter of those
restless and penetrating eyes. His voice
was as smooth and suave as his counte-
nance, as he advanced with a plump little
hand extended, murmuring his regret for
having missed US at his first visit Holmes
disTegarded the outstretched hand and
looked at him with face of granite NIL
Nerton's smile broadened. he shrugged his
shoulders, removed his overcoat, folded II
with great elaboration over the back of
q chair, and then took a seat
This gentleman" said he with a wava
In my direction. rs it discreet? Is it
right?'
DIR. Watson IS my friend and partner"
very good. Mr.. Holmes. 1t is only in
matter is 80 very deicate-'
DIR. Watson has already heard of IT."
Then We can proceed TO business. You
say that you are acting for Lady Eva,
Has she empowered you to accept my
terms?
what are your terms?"
Seven thousand pounds
And the alternative"
My dear sir il is painful for me to dis
cuss IL, but If the money is not paid on
the l4th there certainly will be no mar
rage on the 18th" His insufferable smile
was more complacent than ever.
Holmes thought for a little.
You appear to me-" he said at last ito
be taking matters too much for granted
1 am, of course, familiar with the con-
tents of these letters. My client will GER
tainly do what l may advise. / shall
counsel her to tell her future husband
the whole story and to trust to his gem
erosity."
Milverton chuckled.
You evidently do not know the earl"
said he.
From the bafied look upon Holmes
race | could see clearly that he did
What harm is there in the letters?"
he asked
They are sprightly-very sprlghtly,"
Milyerton answered. The lady was a
charming correspondent. But 1 can as
sure you that the Earl of Dovercourt
would fail to appreciate them. However
NNu1r II.