The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-26
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.


eyes. His voice was as smooth and
suaye as his countenance. as he ad-
vanced with a plump little hand eX-
tended, nturmuring his regret for haV-
ing missed US at his first visit. Holmes
disregarded the outstretched hand and
looked at him with a face of granite.
Milverton's smile broadened. he
shrugged his shoulders. removed his
overcoat. folded it with great delibera-
ton over the back of chair. and
then took a seat.
."rhis gentleman said ne, with
wave in my direction. us ii discreet?
Is is right?"
"Dr. Watson is my friend and part
ner."
Very good. Mr.. Holmes. It is only
in your clients interests that / pro-
tested The matter is so very deli
cate
.Dr. Watson has already heard Of
it,
tThen We can proceed to business.
You say that you are acting for Lad;
Eva. Has she empowered you to ac-
cept my terms?'
What are your terms ?"
"Seven thousand pounds"
"And the alternative"
''My dear sir, it is painful for me 10
discuss it, but if the money is not paid
on the 14th, there certainly will be no
marriage on the 18th" His insuffer-
able smile was more complacent than
ever.
Holmes thought for a little.
'You appear to me-" he said, at last,
"to be taking matters too much for
granted / am, of course. familiar
with the contents OF these letters. My
client will certainly do what [ may
advise. 1 shall counsel her to tell her
future husband the whole story, and
to trust to his generosity"
Milverton chuckled,
You evidently do not know the
Earl" said he.
From the baffied look upon Holmes
face, could see clearly that he did.
what harm is there in the letters? ?"
he asked.
''They are sprightly-very spright-
ly" Milverton answered. THE lady
was a charming correspondent. But /
can assure you that the Earl of
Dovercourt would fail to appreciate
them. However. since you think 9TH
erwise we will let it rest at that. 1t
is purely a matter of business. IL
you think that it is in the best Interests
of your client that these letters should
be placed in the hands of the Earl
then you would indeed be foolish TO
.-av so large a sum of money to regain
them" He rose and seized his as
trakhan coat.
Holmes was grey with anger and
modification.
wait a little" he said. "You go
too fast. We should certainly make.
every effort to avoid scandal in so
delicate a matter
Milverton relapsed into his chair.
81 was sure that you would see it in
that light" he Durred.
Sat the same time" Holmes con-
tinued, Lady Eva is not wealthy
woman l assure you that two thou
sand pounds would be drain upon
her resources, and that the sum you
name is utterly beyond her power.
beg, therefore. that you will moderate
your demands, and that you will re-
turn the letters at the price l indl-
cate, which is, / assure you. the high
est that you can get"
MiIverton's s smile broadened and his
eyes twinkIed humorously.
II am aware that what you say is
true about the lady's resources" said
he. AT the same time you must ad-
nit that the occasion of a lady's mar
riage is a very suitable time for her
friends and relatives to make some
little effort upon her behalf They
may hesitate as to an acceptable we'd
ding present Let me assure them
that this little bundle of letters would
give more joy than all the candelabra
and butter dishes in London.p
"It is impossible" said Holmes.
Dear me, dear me, how unfortun-
ate!' cried Milverton, taking out a
bulky pocket-book. Il cannot help
thinking that ladies are iil-advised in
not making an effort. Look at this!
He held up a little note with a codt-of-
arms upon the envelope. That belongs
to--weli, perhaps it is hardly fair 10
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 a beg
carly sum which she could get by
turning her diamonds into paste. 1t is
such a pity! Now. you remember tile
sudden end of the enlargement between
the Honourable Miss Miles and Colonel
Dorking? Only two days before the
wedding, there was a paragraph in the
Morning Post to say that it was all of,
And why? 1t is almost incredible. but
the absurd sum of twelve hundred
pounds would have settled the whole
question. Is it not pitiful? And here
/ find you, a man of sense. boggling
about terms, when your clients future
and honour are at stake. You sur
prise me, Mr.. Holmes"
''What I say is true" Holmes an
swered. "The money cannot be found.
Surely it is better for YOU to take the
substantial sum which 1 offer than
"
profit you in no way? 2"
There you make a mistake, Mr.
Holmes. An exposure would profit me
indirectly to a considerable extent. I
have eight or ten similar cases matu"-
ing. If it vas circulated among them
that l 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
contents of that notebook"
Milverton had glided as Quick as
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-
hibiting the butt of a revolver which
projected from the inside pocket. II
have been expecting YOU to do some
thing original This has been done so
often, and what good has ever come
from it? / assure YOU that I am arm
ed to the teeth. and 1 am perfectly