Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-08-19

not making az effort Look at thisv'
Ike held up 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 il will be in the
hands of the lady's husband. Aud all
because she viii not find beggarlv
sum which she could get by turning
her diamonds into paste. Il is such
pity, Now. you remember the sudden
end OF the enga cement between the
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
OF. And whyg II is almost incredible
but the absurd sum Of 1920 would
have settled the whole question Is it
not pitiful? And here l find you.
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 ne
indirectly TO q considerable extent. 1
have eight or ten similar cases matur-
ing. If fl was circulated among them
that I bad made a severe example Of
the Lady Eva. should find all OF
them much more open to reason. You
see my point2"
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"
Milyerton had glided as quick as a
rat TO the side of the room and stood
with his back against the wall.
Mr. Holmes. Mr.. Holmes he said.
turning the front of his coat and ex-
hiblting the butt OF large revolver.
which projected from the inside pocket.
Il have been expecting you 20 do some
thing original This has been done so
| often, and what good has ever come
| from it2 assure YOU that / am arm
ed to the teeth. and I am perfectly
prepared 10 use my weapons. knowing
| that the law will support me- Be
sides. your suppOsition that I would
bring the letters here IL & aotebook is
| entirely mistaken. I would DO nothing
so foolish. And now. gentlemen. 1
have one or two little interviews this
| evening. and il is a long drive 60
Hampstead" lie stepped forward.
took up his coat. laid his hand on his
4 Z
picked up a chair. but Holmes shook
his head. and l laid. it down again.
With a bow. a smile and a twinkle
Milverton was out OF the room. aud 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 bis breast. his
eyes fixed upon the glowing embers.
For half an hour he was silent and
still Then. wAh the gesture OF a man
who has taken his decision. he sprang
TO his feet aud passed into his bedroom.
A little later n ralSlsh young workman.
with n goatee beard and swagger. lit
his clay pipe az the lamp before de
scending into the street I'll be back
some time. Watson" said he. and van
ished into tlse night. I understood that
he had opened his campaign against
Charles August Milverton, hut I little
dreamed the strange shape which that
campaign was destined 10 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 IL was not
wasted / knew nothing OF what he
was doing. At last, however. on o
wild. tempestuous evening when the
wind screamed and ratified AGAINST the
windows. he returned from his last ex-
petition. and. having removed bis dis
guise. he sat before the fire and laugh
ed heartily in his silent inward fashion
"YOu~would not call me a marrying
man. WatsonT
mo. indeed"
you'll be interested 70 hear that I'm
engaged"
My dear fellow! l congrat'-
To Milyertons hOuSemaid."
Good heavens, Holmesr
Il wanted information. Watson"
1T was a most necessary step. I am
a plumber. with a rising business, Es-
colt by name. l have walked out with
her each evening. and ! have talked
with her Good heavens, those talks.
However, ] have got all wanted.
| know Milyerton's house as / know the
palm OF my hand"
But the girl, HolmesT
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. I rejoice TO say that have
hated rival, who will certainly cut
me out the instant that my back is
turned. What a splendid night IL isr'
you Ike this weather.
"It suits my purpose Watson. l
mean TO burgle MIlyertons house to-
night
/ had catching of the breath and
my skin went cold at the words, which