Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-05

You will be In such a false position"
 Well, that iB part of the risk. There is no other possible way of regaining these letters. The unfortunate lady has not the money, and there are none of her people in whom she could confide. Tomorrow is the last day of grace, and unless we can get the letters tonight this villain will be as good as his word and will bring about her ruin. must therefore abandon my client to her fate or must play this last card. Be tween ourselves, Watson, it's a sport ing duel between this fellow Milverton and me. He had, as you saw, the best of the first exchanges, but my self re- spect and my reputation are concerned to fight it to finish" "Well, 1 don't like it, but suppose it must be-" said I. "When do we start?'
 You are not coming"
 "Then you are not going" said l. "I give you my word of honor-and nev- CT broke it in my life-that l will take a cab straight to the police station and give you away unless you let me share this adventure with you"
 You can't help me-"
 "How do you know that? You can't tell what may happen. Anyway my resolution is taken. Other people be- side you have self respect and even regulations" 
 Holmes had looked annoyed, but his brow cleared, and he clapped me on the shoulder.
 "Well, we'll, my dear fellow, be 1t so. We have shared this same room for some years, and it would be amusing if we ended by sharing the same cell. You know, Watson, don't mind con- fessing to you that have always had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal. This is the chance of my lifetime in that direction. See here.' He took neat little leath- CT case out of drawer and, opening it. he exhibited a number of shining instruments. This is first class up to date burgling kit, with nickel plated jimmy, diamond tipped glass cutter, adaptable keys and every modern inn provement which the march of civiliza- ton demands. Here, too, is my dark lantern Everything is in order. Have you a pair of silent shoes?"
 "I have rubber soled tennis shoes" Excellent! And mask?" i q can make a couple out of black silk.'
 "I can see that you have strong natural turn for this sort of thing. Very good, you make the masks. We shall have some cold supper before we start. It is now 9:30. At Il we shall drive as far as Church row. It is a quarter of an hours walk from there to Appledore Towers. We shall be at work before midnight. Nlilverton is a heavy sleeper and retires punctually at 10:30. With any luck we should be
 back here by 2 with the Lady Eva's letters in my pocket"
 Holmes and I put on our dress clothes so that we might appear to. be two theater goers homeward bound. In Oxford street we picked up hanson and drove to an address in Hamp- stead .aa Here we paid off-our cab, and with our greatcoats buttoned up, for it was bitterly cold and the wind seemed to blow through us, we walked along the edge of the heath
 "It's a business that needs delicate treatment" said Holmes These docu- ments are contained in a safe in the fellows study, and the study is the anteroom of his bed chamber. On the other hand, like all these stout little men who do themselves well. he is a pienorlc sleeper. Agatna-rhats my fiancee-says it is joke in the serv- ants hall that it's impossible to wake the master He has a secretary who is devoted to his interests and never Judges from the study all day. That's why we are going at night. Then he has beast of a dog. which roams the garden. I met Agatha late the last two evenings, and she locks the brute up so as to give me clear run. This is the house, this big one in its own grounds. Through the gate-now to the right among the laurels. We might put on our masks here, think. You see, there is not a glimmer of light in any of the windows, and everything is working splendidly." With our black silk face coverings, which turned us into two of the most truculent figures in London, we stole up to the silent. gloomy house. A sort of tiled veranda extended along one side of it. lined by several windows and two doors.
 That's his bedroom" Holmes whis- pered. This door opens straight into the study. It would suit us best. but it is bolted as we'll as locked. and we should make too much noise getting in. Come round here. There's a greenhouse which opens into the draw ing room"
 The place was locked, but Holmes re- moved circle of glass and turned the key from the inside. An instant after ward he had closed the door behind US,