Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-06
The Adventure of Charles Augustus
 Milverton
No. ' of the Series

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 nodded and stood by the door. My
 first feeling of fear had passed away,
 and I thrilled now with keener zest than I had ever enjoyed when we were
 the defenders of the law instead of it's Me1ers. The high object of our mis- sion, the consciousness that it was
 unsefish and chivalrous. the villainous
 character of our opponent, all added to
 the sporting interest of the adventure.
 Far from feeling guilty, rejoiced and
 emitted in our dangers. With glow
 of admiration watched Holmes n-
 kolling his case of instruments and Eh0osing his tool with the calm, scien- life accuracy of surgeon. who per forms a delicate operation. I knew
 that the opening of safes was a partic-
 ular hobby with him, and understood
 the joy which it gave him to be con-
 honted with this green and gold mon-
 ster, the dragon which held in its maw
 the regulations of many fair ladies. Turning up the cuffs of his dress coat .Ae had placed his ov&rcoat on chair Holmes Laid out two drills, a jimmy
 and several skeleton keys. For about
 half an hour Holmes worked with con- centrated energy, laying down one tool,
 picking up another. handling each with
 the strength and delicacy of the train ed mechanic. Finally I heard click, the broad green door swung open, and inside had glimpse of number of paper packets, each tied, sealed and inscribed. Holmes picked one out but it was hard to read by the fickering fire, and he drew out bis little dark lantern, for 1t was too dangerous with Milverton in the next room to switch on the electric light. Suddenly I saw him halt, listen intently. and then in an instant he had swung the door of the safe to, picked up his coat, stuffed his tools into the pockets and darted behind the window curtain, motioning me to do the same.
 It was only when I had joined him there that I heard what had alarmed bis quicker senses. There was a noise somewhere within the house. A door slammed in the distance Then a con fused, dull murmif broke ;5itseF into tie measured thud Of heavy footsteps rapidly approaching. They were in the passage outside the room. They paused at the door. The door opened. There was sharp snick as the electric light was turned on. The door closed once more, and the pungent reek of strong cigar was borne to our nostrils. Then the footsteps continued backward and forward, backward and forward. with in few yards of us Finally there was creak from chair. and the foot steps ceased. Then key clicked in a lock, and heard the rustic Of papers.
 So far I had not dared to look out, but now gently parted the division of the curtains in front of me and peeped through. From the pressure of Holmes shoulder against mine knew that he was sharing my observations Right in front of us and almost within our reach was the broad, rounded back of Milverton. It was evident that we had entirely miscaculated his move ments; that be had never been to his bedroom. but that he had been sitting up in some smoking or billiard room In the farther wing of the house. the windows of which we had not seen. His broad. grizzled bead. with it's shin ing patch Of badness. was In the im- mediate foreground of our vision. He was leaning far back in the red leather chair, his legs ousretched. long. black cigar projecting at an angle from his mouth. He wore a semimilitary smoking jacket claret colored. with @ black velvet collar. In hIs hand be held 6 long legal document, which he was reading in an indolent fashion. blowing rings of tobacco smoke from bis lips ss ha did SO
 felt Holmes hand steal into mine and give me reassuring shake. ss f powers and that be WAS easy in his mind. was not sure whether he had seen what was only too obvious from my position. that the door or the safe was inperfectiy closed and that Mil verton might at any moment observe it. In my own mind had determined that if I were sure from the Fiz.dity Of >ls gaze that | had caught his eye I would al once spring our. throw my . greatcoat over bis head Pinson him { and leave the rest 10 Holmes But Mn ! verton never looked up. He was Ian 1 suidly Interested hy the papers in his . sand. and page after page was turned . -s be followed the argument of tt1 sryer At least. ! thought. when he . bad finished the document and the cigar be will % b his roonn- but before be had reachel the end Of either there rame a remarkable deveiopneat which turned our thoughts into quite another rhsnnei-
 Seve-aI tines I had observed thst NIlverron looked at his watch. and ,ncs be had risen snt'sst down again. with a gesture of inpetience- Tha idea- bovever. thsf he night have aa ap- pointne1t sr so strange s1 hour never ,ccurred to ne until a faint so1ni reached ny ears from tbe vera7is out 1ide- sEIlvert1z droppei his papers and at rixsd i7 Llz chair Tbe sound was epeared- and tsez there cane q ren- Ile tap at r.e door NHv9r1a roe and 'pened IL
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