Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-06-15
CHARLES AUGUSTUS M1LvERroN.
Appledore Towers.
Agent. Hampsteao.

ssWho Is he?" asked.
ssThe worst man in London" Holmes
answered as he sat down and stretched
his legs before the fire. rs anything on
the back of the card Z"
turned it over.
.sWili call at $500. A. NJ" I read.
sHum! He's about due. Do you feel
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, fattened
faces? Well, that's how NIilverton inn
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
can't get out Of doing business with
hlm-indeed, he is here at my invita-
ton" ,5s.. Il 81 ..,s.4 s,.s,..
"But who is he?"
..I'll tell you, Watson. He is the king
OF all the blac1sInailers. 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 sayory trade. HIS
method is as follows. He allows 1t to
be known that he is prepared to pay
very high sums for letters which COM
promise people OF wealth and position.
He receives these wares not only from
treacherous Wallets or maids, but fire.
uuently from genteel ruffians who have
gained the confidence and affection of
trusting women. He deals with no mig
gard hand. happen to know that he
paid f7OO to footman for note two
lines in length and that the ruin of a
noble family was the result. Every
thing which is III the market goes to
Milverton, 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 to
mouth He will hold q card back for
years in order to play it at the moment
when the stake Il, best worth winning.
I have said that lie is the worst man in
London, and l would ask you how
could one compare the ruff1an who in
hot blood bludgeons his mate with this
man who methotlically aud at his lei
sure fortunes the soul and wrings the
nerves in apaer to add to his already
swollen money bngs?"
I had seldom heard my friend speak
with such intensity of feeling.
..But surely" said I, "the fellow
must be within the grasp Of the law?''
Technically, no doubt, but practical
" not What would it profit a woman,
for example, to get him few months
Imprisonment it, her own ruin must
Immediately fellows His victims dare
not hit back. If ever he blackmailed
an innocent person, then indeed we
should have him, but he is as cunning
rs the evil one. No, no; we must find
other ways to fight him."
.'And why is lie here?'
Because an illustrious client has
placed her piteous case in my hands
1t is the Lady Iva Blackwell, the most
beautiful debutante of last season
She is to be married in fortnight to
the Earl of T'overcourt. This fiend
has several imprudent letters-impru
dent, Watson; nothing worse-which
were written to an impecunious young
squire in the country. They would suf
fee to break off the MATCH. Milverton
i will send the letters to the earl unless
q large sum of money is paid him.
have been commissioned to meet him
and to make the best terms can"
At that Instant there was a clattel
and rattle in the street below. Look
iag down, saw a stately carriage and
pair, the brilliant lamps cleaning OF
the glossy launches of the noble chest
nuts. A foctman opened the door, and
small, stout man in shaggy as
trakhan overcoat descended. A min
ute later IL was in the room.
Charles Augustus Milyerton was a
man Of fifty. W. a large. intellectual