Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-10-10
The Adventure OF
Charles Augustus
Milverton
No. 2 of the Series


stead. Here we paid off our cab, and
with our greatcoats buttoned up, for
it was bitterly cold and the wind
seemed to blow through us, we walked
along the edge of the heath.
Its business that needs delicate
| treatment" said Holmes. "These docu-
ments are contained in a safe in the
fellows study, and the study is the
| anteroom of his bed chamber. On the
other hand, like all these stout little
men who do themselves well, he Is q
plethoric sleeper. Agatha that's my
fancee-says it is joke in the serv-
ants hall that it's impossible to wake
the master. He has a secretary who
| Is devoted to his interests and never
budges from the study all day. That's
why we are going at night. Then he
has a beast of a dog, which roams the
garden. l met Agatha late the last
two evenings, and she locks the brute
up so as to give me clear run. This
is the house, this big one in its own
grounds. Through the gate-now to
the right among the laurels. We might
put on our masks here, l think You
See there is not a glipMer of light in
any of the windows, az everything is
working splendidly."
With our black silk face coverings,
which turned us into two Of the most
Itruculent figures in London, we stole
up to the silent, gloomy house. A sort
lof tiled veranda extended along one
side of it, lined by several windows
and two doors.
THAT'S his bedroom" Holmes wills
lpered. This door opens straight into
the study. 1t would suit us best, but it
Is bolted as well as locked, and we
should make too much noise getting
in. Come round here. There's a
greenhouse which opens into the draw
ing ROOM"
The place was locked, but Holmes re-
moved a circle of glass and turned the
key from the inside. An instant after
ward he had closed the door behind US,
and we had become fe1ons In the eyes
of the law. The thick, warm air of the
conservatory and the rich, choking fra
GRANGE of exotic plants took us by the
throat. He seized my hand in the dark
ness and led me swiftly past banks Of
shrubs which brushed against oul
faces. Holmes had remarkable powers
carefully cultivated, Of seeing in the
dark. Still holding my hand in one Of
his, he opened door,. and was
vaguely conscious that we had entered
large room in which cigar had beer
smoked not long before. He felt his
way among the furniture, opened an
other door and closed it behind us. Put
ting out my hand, l felt several coats
hanging from the, wall, and under
stood that l was in passage. W.
passed along it, and Holmes very gen
tly opened door upon the right hant
side. Something rushed out at us, ant
my heart sprang into my mouth, but
could have laughed when l realize,
that 1t was the cat. A fire was burn
ing in this new room, and again the al
was heavy with tobacco smoke. Holme
entered on tiptoe, waited for me to fol
low and then very gently closed tn
door. We We're in Milverton's study
and portiere at the farther side show
ed the entrance to his bedroom.
1t was good fire, and the room wa
Illuminated by it. Near the door say
the CLEAN of an electric switch, but
was unnecessary, even If it had bee
safe, to turn it on. At one side of tn
fireplace was a<heavy curtain whic
covered the bay window we had see
J from outside On the other side wa
the door which communicated with th
veranda. A desk stood In the center
with a turning chair of shining re
leather. Opposite was large, bool
, case with a marble bust of Athene o
: the top. In the corner, between til
bookcase and the wall, there stood
tall, green safe, the freight dashin
back from the polished brass knot
upon its face. Holmes stole across an
looked at 1t. Then he crept to the doc
of the bedroom and stood with slantin
head, listening intently. No sound cam
a from within. Meanwhile 1t had struc
me that 1t would be wise to secure o,
retreat through the outer door, 50 e.
amined 1t. To my amazement it VIZ
: neither locked nor bolted. touche
Holmes on the arm. and he turned
l. masked face in that direction. I sa
40 him start, and he was evidently as su
prised rs l.
II don't like it." he whispered, pu
ting his lips to my very ear. II car
quite make it out. Anyhow we ha'
no time to lose"
"Can do anything?"
Eyes; stand by the door. If you he
any one come, bolt 1t on the insid
and we can get away as we came.
they come the other way, we can G
through the door If our job is done
hide behind these window curtains
1t is not. Do you understand"
/ nodded and stood by the door.
first feeling Of fear had passed ava
and l thrilled now with a keener re
than l had ever enjoyed when we we
the defenders of the law instead of
defiers. The high object Of our M
sion. the consciousness that 1t W
unseliish and chiyalrous, the villaino
character Of our opponent, all added
the sporting interest of the adventu
Far from feeling guilty. rejoiced a
eXulted in our dangers. With glt
4 Of admiration l watched Holmes l
rolling his case of instruments a
) choosing his tool with the calm, scie
tific accuracy of surgeon who pc
- forms delicate operation. ! kne
that the opening Of safes was a Vart
tl4s