The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-06-30


was about to spring out when | felt
Holmes cold, strong grasp upon my
wrist. understood the whole argu-
ment of that firm. restraining grip
that it was no affair of ours: that JUS
tice had overtaken Il villain; that we
had our own duties and our own OBJ
jects, which We're not to be lost sight
of. But hardly had the woman rushed
from the room when Holmes with
swift. silent steps was over at the 9TH
er door. He turned the key in the lock
At the same instant we heard voices in
the house and the sound of hmTying
feet. The revolver shots had reused
| the household. With perfect coolneSs
Holmes Slipped across to the safe filed
his two arms with bundles of letters
and poured them all into the fire
Again and again he did it, until the
safe was empty
Some one turned the handle aud beat
upon the outside of the door Holmes
looked swiftly round. The letter which
had been the messenger of death for
Milverton lay, all notified with his
blood, upo!! the table. Holmes tossed
it in among the blazing papers Then
he drew the key from the outer door.
passed through after me and locked it
on the outside. This way. Watson"
said he, I'VE can scale the garden wall
| in this direction"
l could not have believed that an
alarm. could have spread so swiftly.
Looking bs.ck, the huge house was one
blaze of light. The front door was
open. aE1 figures were rushing down
the drive. The whole garden was alive
with people, and one fellow raised
view halloo as we emerged from the
veranda and followed hard at our heels.
Holmes seemed to know the grounds
perfectly, and he threaded his way
swiftly among a plantation Of small
trees, l close at his heels and our
foremost pursuer painting behind us.
1t was six. foot wall which barred
[ our path. but he sprang to the top and
over. AS did the same | felt the hand
of the man behind me grab at my an
kle but kicked myself free and scram-
bled over grass strewn coping. fell
upon my face among some bushes, but
Holmes had me on my feet in an in
slant, and together we dashed away
across the huge eXpanse of Hampstead
heath. We had run two miles, l sup
pose, before Holmes at last halted and
listened intently. All was absolute ST.
lence behind us. We had shaken off
our pursuers and were safe.
We had breakfasted and were smok-
ing our morning pipe on the day after
the remarkable experience which |
have recorded when Mr. Lestrade of
Scotland Yard, very solemn and i'm
pressive, was ushered into our modest
sitting room.
Good morning, Mr.. Holmes" said
he; good morning. May I ask if you
are very busy just now?"
Not too busy to listen to you."e
Il thought that perhaps il you had
nothing particular on hand you might
care to assist us in most remarkable
case which occurred only last night at
Hampstead"
Dear mer' said Holmes. what was
that?'
"a murder-a most dramatic and re-
markable murder. | know how keen
you are upon these things, and l would
take it as a great favor if you would
step down to Appledore Towers and
give us the benefit of your advice. 1t
is no ordinary crime. We have had
our eyes upon this Mr.. Milverton for
some time, and, between ourselves, he
was bit of villain. He is known to
have held papers which he used for
Matchmaking purposes. These papers
have all been burned by the murderers.
No article of value was taken. as it is
probable that the criminals were men
of good position whose sole object was
to prevent social exposure"
"Criminals?" said Holmes. "Plural?"
Eyes, there were two of them. They
were as nearly as possible captured red
handed. We have their footmarks. we
have their description. It's ten to one
that we trace them. The first fellow
was bit too active, but the second
was caught by the under gardener and
only got away after struggle. He
was a middle sized, strongly built man
square jaw, thick neck. mustache,
mask over his eyes"
"That's rather vague" said Sherlock
Holmes. why. it might be descrip-
ton of Watsonr
Its true" said the inspector. with
amusement 'It might be description
of Watson
"Well I'm afraid | can't help you,
Lestrade," said Holmes. 1.-The fact is
that knew this fellow Milverton, that
l considered him one of the most dan
gerous men in London and that think
there are certain crimes which the law
cannot touch and which therefore to
some extent justify private revenge.
No, it's no use arguing. will not
handle this case"
Holmes had not said one word to
me about the tragedy which we had
witnessed. but observed all the morn
ing that he was in his most thoughtful
mood, and he gave me the impression,