Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-25

"Mr Holmes, Mr.. Holmes" he said. turn
ing the front of his coat and exhibiting the
butt of large revolver which
projected from rom the nao inside pocket t.
do something original This has been
done so often, and what good has ever come
from it? / assure you that am armed to
the teeth. and l am perfectly prepared to
use my weapons, knowing that the law will
support me. Besides, your supposition that
1 would bring the letters here in notebook
is entirely mistaken would do nothing so
foolish. And now, gentlemen, l have one or
two little interviews this evening. and i. is
a long drive to Hampstead" He stepped
forward, took up his coat, laid his hand on
his revolver and turned toward the door
picked up chair, but Holmes shook his
head, and l laid it down again. With
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 trouser pockets. 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 ges-
ture of man who has taken his decision,
he sprang to his feet and passed into fis
bed room. A little later a rakish young
workman, with goatee beard and swag-
ger lit his clay pipe at the lamp before de-
scending into the street Til be back some
time, WATSON said he, and vanished Tito
the night. l understood that he had opened
his campaign against Charles Augustus Mil
shape which that campaign was destined to
take"
For some days Holmes came and went at
all hours in this attire, but beyond a re-
mark that his time was spent at Hamp-
stead, and that it was not 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 expedition, and having removed his
disguise he sat before the fire and laughed
heartily in his silent inward fashion.
You would not call me a marrying man,
WatsOn?"
mo, indeed
You'll be interested to hear that I'm
engaged"
My dear fellow I congrat-''
ITO Milvertons housemaid."
Good heavens. Holiness
Il wanted informal ton, Watson"
Surely you have gone too far?"
1T was a most necessary step. I am a
plumber with rising business, Escott by
name. l have walked out with her each
evening, and l have talked with her. Good
heavens, those talks!' However. 1 have
got all 1 wanted l know Mfverton's house
as | know the palm of my hand"
But the girl, Holiness"
He shrugged his shoulders.
You can't help it, my dear Watson.
You must play your cards as best you can
when such a stake is on the table. How
ever, l rejoice to say that | have hated
rival, who will certainly cut me out the in
slant that my back is turned. What a
splendid night it is!'
You like this weather.
TT suits my purpose. Watson, l mean
to burgle Milverton's house tonight
I had a catching of the breath. and my
skin went cold at the words, which were
slowly uttered in a tone of concentrated
resolution. As a flash of lightning in the
night shows up in an instant every detail
of a wild landscape, so at one glance
seemed to see every possible result of such
an action-the detection, the capture, the
honored career ending in irreparable fail
ure and disgrace my friend himself lying
at the mercy of the Odious Milverton.
For heavens sake Holmes, think what
you are doing l cried.
MY dear fellow, L have given it every
consideration. am never precipitate in