Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-06-10

hesitate as to an acceptable wedding
present. Let me assure them that this
little bundle of letters would give more
joy than all the candelabra and butter
dishes in London"
1T is impossible" said Holmes.
Dear me. dear me. how unfortu-
nate cried Milverton. taking out a
bulky pocketbook Il cannot help
thinking that ladies are i'll advised in
not making an effort. Look at this" -
He held up little note with a coat Of
arms upon the envelope. That be-
longs to-well. perhaps IL is hardly fair
TO tell the name until tomorrow morn
ing. But at that time il will be in the
hands OF the lady's husband. And all
because she will not find a beggarly
sum which she could get by turning
her diamonds into paste. Ii is such "a
pity. Now, you remember the sudden
end of the enga gement between the
Honorable Miss Miles and Colonel
Dorking: Only two days before the
wedding there was a ragraph in the
Morning Post to say that it was al!
off. And why: Ii is almost Incredible
but the absurd sum of f1,200 would
have settled the whole question. Is it
not pitiful? And here l find you, a
man Of sense. begging about terms
when your clients future and honor
are at stake. You surprise me, Mr.
Holmes
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 / offer than to
ruin this wOman's 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. /
have eight or ten similar cases matur
ing. If il was circulated among them
that / had made a severe example of
the Lady Eva, 1 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 a
rat to the side of the room and stood
with his back against the 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,
81 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 am arm
ed to the teeth, and | am perfectly
prepared to use my weapons, knowing
ti1dtr 1iaa44--SupPeEt- Be
sides, your suppOsition that / would
bring the letters here in notebook is
entirely mistaken. / 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 his
revolver and turned to the door. l
picked up a chair but Holmes shook
his head. and l laid it down again.
With a bow, smile and a twinkle
Milverton was out of the room, and
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 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 a rakish young workman,
with a gOatee beard and a swagger, lit
his clay pipe at the lamp before de-
scending into the street. III be back
some time, Watson" said he, and van
ished into the night. l understood that
he had opened his campaign against
Charles August MilyertOn. but 1 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 it WAS not
wasted 1 knew nothing of what lie
was doing. At last, however. on a
wild, tempeStuous evening, when the
wind screamed and ratified against the
windows, he returned from his last ex-
peditiOn, and, having removed his dis
guise he sat before the fire and laugh
ed heartily in his silent inward fashion.
"You would not call me marrying
man. Watson?'
mo, indeedp' -~A~
You'll be interested to hear that I'm
engaged"
My dear fellow! 1 cOngrat"-
TO Milverton's housemaid."
Good heavens, Holiness
81 wanted information, Watson"
Surely you have gone too far"
1t was u most necessary step. / am
. plumber, with rising business, Es-
colt by name. / have walked out with
her each evening, and l have talked
with her. Good heavens, those talks,
However. / have got all l wanted.
know MilvertOn's house as l know the
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 you
can when such stake is on the table.
However, l rejoice to say that / have
a hated rival. who will certainly cut