Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-08-19
CHARLES AUGUsrUs MgLvERToS.
Appiedore Towers.
Agent. Hampstead

"Who is hep / asked.
''The worst man In London" Holmes
answered as ne sat down and stretched
his legs before the fire. lis anything on
the back OF the cardg'
/ termed Il over
'win call az 6:3O-C. a. NJ read.
'Hum, He's about due. DO you fee
a creeping. shrinking sensation Wat
son, when sou stand before the SER
penis In the zoo and see the sllthery,
gliding. venomous creatures. with their
deadly eyes and wicked. fiattened
faces? Well, that's how SIilverton Inn
presses me. I've had 10 do with nifty
murderers iu my career, but the worst
OF them never gave ne the repulsiou
which have for this fellow. And yet
can't get out of doing business with
him-indeed. he Is here at my invita-
ton
"But who is heF'
IN tell you. Watson. He is the king
OF all the biackmailers. Heaven help
the man. and still more the woman.
whose secret and reputation come into
the power OF Milverton, With smil-
ing face and q heart OF marble, he Will
squeeze and squeeze until he has drain
ed them dry. The fellow Is a genius
IN his way and would have made His
mark in some more savory trade His
method Is as follows. He allows IL 10
be known that he is prepared TO pay
very high sums FOR letters which com
promise people OF wealth aud position
He receives these wares not only from
treacherous Wallets or maids. but fire.
qucntiy from genteel rulIians who have
gained the confidence ana affection OF
trusting women lie deals with no Mig
gard hand. ! happen 20 know that hs
paid 900 TO footman for n note two
Zines iR length aud that the ruin OF a
noble family WAS the result Every
thing which Is In the market goes 10
Milverton. and there are hundreds In
this great city who turn white az his
name. No one knows where his grip
may fall, for he Is far too rich and far
too cunning to work from hand to
mouth. lie VIII hold a card back for
years IN order 10 play Il az the moment
when the stake is best worth winning
/ have said that he is the worst man in
London. and 7 would ask you how
could one compare the ruffian who in
hot blood bIudgeons his mate with this
man who methodically and at his lei
sure fortunes the soul and wrings the
nerves in order 90 add to his already
swollen money bagsg"
had seldom heard my friend speak
with such Intensity Of feeling.
but surely" said 1. 1.-THE fellow
must be within the grasp OF the lawg'
Technically, no doubt. but practical
~ not What would il profit woman,
for example. TO get him a few months
imprisonment II her own ruin must
Immediately follow His victims dare
not hit back. III ever he blackmaiIed
an innocent person. then indeed we
should nave him. but he is as cunning
as the evil one. No. no; we must ind
other ways 10 fight him."
And why is he herey'
Because an illustrious client has
placed her piteous case in my hands
IL is the Lady Eva Blackwell. the most
beautiful debGtante OF last season.
She IS to be married in a fortnight to
the Earl OF Dovercourt This hend
has several imprudent letters-impru-
dent, Watson: nothing worse-which
were written to an impecunious young
squire ia the country. They would suf-
flee 10 break of the match Milverton
viii send the letters TO the earl unless
a large sum OF money Is paid him.
have been commissioned 10 meet him
and to make the best terms can"
At that instant there was a clatter
and rattle IN the street below. Look
ing down. saw a stately carriage and
pair. the brilliant lamps cleaning on
the glossy LAUNCHES OF the noble chest
nuts. A footman opened the door, and
small. stout man in a shaggy as
trakhan oFercoat descended A min
ute later he was IN the room.
Charles Augustus sIIlverton was a
man Of flfty. with large. INTELLECTUAL
head, round, plump. hairless face. a
perpetual frozen smile and two keen
gray eyes which CLEANED brightly