The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-07-07


end OF the engagement between the
Honorable Miss Miles end Colonel
Dorking? Only two days before the
wedding There was a paragraph Ia the
Morning Post 70 say that II was ali
of And whyg II is almost Incredible.
but the absurd sum of fl 200 would
have settled the whole question. Is IL
not pitifulY And here l find you. a
man Of sense. boggling about teyms
when your clients future and honor
are at stake You surprise me, Mr..
Holmes"
"What ! say IS true" Holmes an
swcrcd. "The money cannot be found.
Surely It is better for you to take the
substantial sum which offer than to
ruin this womans career, which can
profit you in no way"
There you make a mistake, Mr..
Holmes. An exposure would profit me
Indirectly to a considerable extent I
have eight or ten similar cases m0tur-
ing. If It was circulated among them
that / had made a severe example Of
the Lazy Eva. should find all Of
them much more open 70 reason. You
see my point"
Holmes sprang from his chair.
Get behind him. Watsonl Don't let
him out, Now, sir. let us see the con
tents OF that notebook"
Mllverton had glided MS quick as n
rat 70 the side of the room and stood
with his back against tlse 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 iti ] assure you that l am arm
ed to the teeth, and / am perfectly
prepared to use my weapons. knowing
that the law will support me Be
sides, your supposltion that l would
bring TIE letters here in a notebook is
entirely mistaken i would do nothing
so foolish And now gentlemen.
have one or two little interviews this
evening. and It is long drive to
Hampstead" lie stepped forward.
took up his coat, leid his hand on his
revolver and turned TO the door.
picked up chair, but Holmes shook
his head. and l laid II down again.
With bow, smile and a twinkle
Mllverton was out Of the room. and a
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 buri;d deep in his trousers poclS-
cts, his chm sunk upon his breast, his
eyes fixed apoa 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 goatee beard and a swagger, III
his clay pipe at the lamp before de-
scending into tie street. "Ill be back
some time, Watson" said he, and van
ished into the night. ! understood that
he had opened his campaign against
Charles August Milvertou, but l 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 a remark that his time was spent
at Hampstead and that ii was not
wasted / knew nothing Of what he
was doing. At last, however, on q
wild, tempestuous evening when the
wind screamed and ratified against the
windows. he returned from his last ex-
pedl''ci., AID. having removed his dis
10 nj
ed heartily in his silent Inward fashion.
"You would not cell ME a marrying
man, WatsonW
"No, indeed"
You'll be interested to hear that I'm
engaged"
MY dear fellow! congrat'-
'.,r0 Milverton's housemaid."
Good heavens, Holiness
81 wanted Information, Watson"
"Surely you have gone too far"
1T was most necessary step. am
plumber, with rising business, Es-
cott by name. ] have walked out with
her each evening. and l have talked
with her. Good heavens, those talks.
However. have got all wanted. /
know Milverton's house as know the
palm of my hand"
"But the girl, HolmesY'
He shrugged his shoulders.
"You can't help IL, my dear Watson.
You must play your cares as best you
can when such stake is on the table.
However. ! rejoice to say that I have
q hated rival, who Will certainly cut
me out the instant that my back Is
turned. What a splendid night It isr'
You like this weather.
1T suits my purpose. Watson, l
mean TO burgle Milyerton's house To-
night"
had a catching OF the breath and
my skin went cold at the words, which
were slowly uttered IN a tone OF CON
cenirated resolution. AS fash OF
lighta.ng in the Night shows up In an
instant every detail OF a wild land
scape. so az one glance seemed TO sec
every possible result OF such an action
1.-The detection, the capture. the bon
ored career ending In lrreparable fan
ure and disgrace. ny friend himself IT,
Ing at the mercy OF the odIous Milver-
ton.
For heavens sake Holmes. thlrk
what you are doing" I cried
MY dear fellow, / have given II ev,
cry consideration. ! am never prec'p,
tate ia my actions. nor would adopl
so energetic and, indeed, SO dangerou,
I a oorrca - uww afH.~ rr-a~r ,..1e 80. Is,