Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-06-15

| UlSloS Ill llulNlOA.
"It is impossible" said Holmes.
| "Dear me, dear me, how unfortu-
natew cried Milverton, taking out a
bulky pocketbook. II cannot help
thinking that ladies are i'll advised III
not making an effort. Look at this!'
He held up a little note with coat of
arms upon the envelope. THAT be-
longs towel, perhaps it is hardly fair
to tell the name until tomorrow morn
ing. But at that time it will be in the
hands Of the ladys husband. And all
because she will not find beggarly
sum which she could get by turning
her diamonds into paste. 1t is such a
pity! Now, you remember the sudden
end of the engagement between tie
Honorable Miss Miles and Colonel
| Dorking? Only two days before the
wedding there was paragraph IN the
Morning Post to say that it was all
off. And why? 1t is almost incredible,
| but the absurd sum OF f1,2O0 would
have settled the whole question. is 1t
not pitiful? And here l find you.
man of sense, boggling about terms
| when your clients future and honor
are at stake. You surprise me, Mr..
Holiness"
what l say is true" Holmes an
swered. "The money cannot be found.
Surely it is better for you to take the
substantial sum which I offer than to
ruin this woman's career, which can
profit you in no way"
"There you make mistake, Mr..
Holmes. An exposure would profit me
Indirectly to considerable extent.
have eight or ten similar cases matur-
| ing If it was circulated among them
that had made a severe example OF
the Lady Eva, l should find all OF
them much more open to reason. You
see my point?"
Holmes sprang from his chair.
Get behind him, Watson! Don't let
him out. Now, sir, let us see the con-
tents of that notebook
Milverton had glided as quick as
| rat to the side of the room and stood
with his back against the wall.
"NIr. Holmes Mr.. Holiness" he said,
turning the front Of bis coat and eX-
hibiting the butt of large revolver,
which projected from the inside pocket,
Il have been expecting you to do some
thing original. This has been done SO
often, and what good has ever come
| from it? l assure you that l am arm
ed to the teeth, and / am perfectly
prepared to use my weapons. knowing
In RQ-
sides, your supposition that ! would
bring the letters here in notebook Is
entirely mistaken l would do nothing
so foolish. And now, gentlemen,
have one or two little interviews this
evening and it is long drive to
Hampstead" He stepped forward,
took up his coat, laid his hand on bis
revolver and turned to the door.
picked up chair, but Holmes shook
his head, and l laid it down again
With bow, smile and twinkle
Milyerton was out of the room, and q
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 buried deep in his trousers peck
cts, his chin sunk upon his breast, his
eyes fixed upon the glowing emDers.
| For half an hour he was silent and
still. Then, with the gesture of man
who has taken his decision. he sprans
to his feet and passed into his bedroom
A little later rakish Young workman
with goatee beard and swagger, lit
his clay pipe at the lamp before de
scending into the street. IN be bach
some time, Watson" said he, and van
ished into the night. understood that
be had opened his campaign against
Charles August NIilverton, but little
dreamed the strange shape which thai
campaign was destined to take.
For some days Holmes came and
went at all hours in his attire, but be
yond remark that his time was spent
at Hampstead and that it was moi
wasted l knew nothing of what he
was doing At last, however, on
wild, tempestuous evening. when the
wind screamed and ratified against the
windows, he returned from his last ex
petition, and, having removed his dis
,suise, he sat before the fire and laugh
I'd heartily In his silent inward fashion
"You would not call me marrying
nan. Watsonl"
mo, indeedv
you'll be interested to hear that In
enga ged."
"My dear fellow! l congrat"-
ITO Milverton's housemaid."
"Good heavens, Holmes!"
81 wanted information, Watson"
"Surely you have gone too far"
at was most necessary step. an
. plumber, with a rising business, Els
colt by name. I have talked out witt
her each evening, and l have TALKED
with her. Good heavens, those talks
However, l have got all wanted.
: know NIilverton's house as know th
palm of my hand"
"But the girl, Holmes?"
. He shrugged his shoulders.
"You can't help it, my dear Watson
You must play your cards as best yo
can when such a stake Is on the table
, However, | rejoice to say that hav
a hated rival, who will certainly Gu
me out the instant that my back
turned. What splendid night it is!'
you like this weather."
''It suits my purpose. Watson,