Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-09-21

end of the engagement between the
Honorable 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
off. And why? 1t is almost incredible,
but the absurd sum Of $1,000 would
have settled the whole question. Is it
not pitiful? And here I find you, a
man of sense, boggling about terms
when your clients future and honor
are at stake. You surprise me, Mr..
Holiness"
what 1 say is true" Holmes an
swered. 1.-THE money cannot be found.
Surely it is better for you to take the
substantial sum which 1 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 me
indirectly to a considerable extent. 1
have eight or ten similar cases matur-
ing. If it vas circulated among them
that l had made a severe example Of
the Lady Eva, 1 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 con-
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,
II have been expecting you to do some
thing original. This has been done so
often, and what good has ever come
from 1t? l assure you that l am arm
ed to the teeth, and 1 am perfectly
prepared to use my weapons, knowing
that the law will support me. Be-
sides, your supposition that l would
bring the letters here in a notebook is
entirely mistaken. l would do nothing
so foolish. And now, gentlemen, 1
have Il or two little interviews this
evening, and it is a 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 a chair, but Holmes shook
his head, and l laid it down again.
With q bow, a smile and a twinkle
Milverton was out Of the room, anG a
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 pock-
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 a man
who has taken his decision, he sprang
to his feet n passed. into his bedroom.
A little later a rakish young workman,
with a goatee beard and q swagger, lit
his clay pipe at the lamp before de-
%scending into the street. "Ill be back
some time, Watson,'' said he, and van
ished into the night. 1 understood that
he had opened his campaign against
Charles August Milverton. but I little
dreamed the strange shape which that
campaign was destined to take.
Fol some days Holmes came and
went at all hours in this attire, bet be-
You'd a remark that his time was spent
at Hampstead and that it was Dot
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 from his last ex-
petition, and. having removed his dis.
guisc, he sat before the fire and laugh
ed heartily in his silent inward fashion.
"You would not call me a marrying
man, Watson"
"NO, indecd"
you'll be interested To hear that I'm
engaged"
My dear fellow! congrat'-
"To Milvcrton's houscmaid.''
Good heavens, Holiness"
IL wanted information, Watson"
"Surely you have gone too FAR"
1T was Il most necessary step. am
Il plumber, with IA rising business, Es-
colt by name. ] have walked out with
her t;.'li evening, and ] have talked
with her. Good heavens. those talks,