Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-10-06

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 f1,20O would
have settled the whole question. Is it
not pitiful? And here 1 find you, a
man of sense, boggling 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 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 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
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 a large revolver,
which projected from the inside pocket
HI have heap aypootino y,o,, RI do sor,,o
thing original. This has been done so
often, and what good has ever come
from it? ! assure you that am arm
ed to the teeth, and am perfectly
prepared to use my weapons, knowing
that the law will support me. Be-
sides. your superstition that would
bring the letters here in notebook is
entirely mistaken, l would do nothing
so foolish. And now, gentlemen, 1
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, I
picked up chair, but Holmes shook
his head, and l laid 1t down again.
With bow, smile and 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 goatee beard and swagger, lit
his clay pipe at the lamp before de-
scending into the street "I'll be back
some time, Watson" said he, and van
lshed into the night. l understood that
he had opened his campaign against
Charles August Milverton, but 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 remark that his time was spent
at Hampstead and that it was not
wasted I knew nothing Of what he
was doing. At last, however, on a
| wild, tempestuous evening, when the
wind screamed and ratified against The
windows, he returned fesm NJ
pediti9ns aud h"- -ls last eA-
| aui-~ ,lng removed his dis
-. ne sat before the fire and laugh
ed heartily in his silent inward fashion
you would not call me marrying
man, Watson"
mo indeed"
"You'!i be interested to hear that I'm
engaged"
"AIy dear fellow! l congrat'-
ITO Milverton's housemaid"
Good heavens, Holiness"
81 wanted information, Watson"
"Surely you have gone too far"
1T was most necessary step. | am
a plumber, with a rising business, Es-
J colt by name. | have walked out with
her each evening, and | have talked
with her. Good heavens, those talks!
However, l have got all wanted.
know Milvertons 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 yol
can when such stake is on the table
However, l rejoice to say that hav'
a hated rival, who will certainly GU
me out the instant that my back Il
/ turned. What splendid night It isl"
, 'You like this weather.
at suits my purpose. Watson,
, mean to burgle Milverton's house to
l night"
had catching of the breath an
] my skin went cold at the words, whic
were slowly uttered In a tone. Of col
0 centrated resolution. AS a fash {
' lightning in the night shows up in a
e instant every detail Of a wild LAM
scape, so at one glance seemed to sc
every possible result of such an actic
q the detection, the capture, the hol
ored career ending in irreparable fal
l. ure and disgrace, my friend himself !
y ing at the mercy of the odious Milve
o ton.
IS "For heavens sake, Holmes, thir
y what you are doingv' cried.
e, "MIy dear fellow, have given 1t
IS cry consideration. am never precil
1t tate in my actions, nor would ado
'e SO energetic and, indeed, so dangero
course if any other were possib
Is Let us look at the matter clearly a
fairly. l suppose that you will adm
is that the action is morally justifab
ID though technically criminal. To buri