The San Francisco call., 1905-04-16

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? I assure you that am armed
to the teeth, and ] am perfectly pre-
pared to use my weapons, knowing
that the law viii support me. Besides,
your supposition that / would bring
the letters here in a note book is en-
tirely mistaken. I would do nothing so
foolish. And now, gentlemen. 1 have
one or two little interviews this even
ing and il is a long drive to Hamp-
stead" He stepped forward, took up
his coat, laid his hand on his revolver
and turned to the door. picked up
chair, but Holmes shook his head and
laid il down again. With bow.
smile and q twinkle, Milverton was out
of the room, and a few moments after
we heard the slam 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 and passed into his bedroom.
A little later a rakish young workman,
with q gOatee beard and a swagger, lit
his clay pipe at the lamp before de-
scending into the street. "I'll be back
some tine, Watson said he. and van
ished into the night. I understood that
he had opened his campaign against
Charles Augustus Milverton. but 1 lit
tie dreamed the strange shape which
that campaign was destined TO take.
Tor some days Holmes came and
went at all hours in this attire. but be-
yond a remark that his time was spent
at Hampstead, and that it was not
wasted, knew nothing Of what he was
doing. At last, however, on a wild,
tempestuous evening, when the wind
screamed and ratified against the win
dows, he returned from his last expe-
dition, and having removed his disguise
he sat before the fire and laughed
heartily in his silent inward fashion.
You would not call me a marrying
man, Watson?"
mo. indeed"
You'll be interested TO hear that I'm
engaged"
Ny dear fellow congrat-"
TO Milverton's housemaid."
"Good heavens, Holmesi"
'I wanted information, Watson"
Surely you have gone too far?"
1T was a most necessary step. am a
plumber with rising business, Escott by
name. I have walked out with her each
Z
Good heavens, those taIksi" However.
have got all I wanted. know Milve&-
tons house as know the palm of my
hand"
But the girl. Holmes?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
You can't help il, my dear Watson.
You must play your cards as best you
can when such a stake is on the table.
However. I rejoice TO say that have a
hated rival, who viii certainly cut me
out the instant that my back is turned.
What a splendid night IT isl"
You like this weather."
1t suits my purpose. Watson, I
mean to burgle AIilverton's house to-
night"
1 had a catching of the breath and
my skin went cold at the words, which
were slowly uttered in a tone Of con-
centrated resolution, AS a flash Of
lightning in the night shows up in an
instant every detail of a wild landscape.
so at q glance / seemed to see every
possible result of such an action-the
detection, the capture, the honored ca
reer ending in irreDarable failure and
disgrace. my friend himself lying at the
mercy OF the odious Milverton.
For heavens sake, Holmes, think
what you are doing I cried.
Ny dear fellow, 1 have given it
every consideration. l am never pre-
cipitate in my actions, nor would 1
adopt so energetic and, indeed, so dan
gerous course if any other were pos
sible. Let US look at the matter clear
ly and fairly. I suppose that you will
admit that the action is morally justi-
liable, though technically criminal To
burgle his house is no more than to
forcibly take his pocketbook-an action
in which you were prepared to aid me-"
l turned IT over in my mind.
Yes" I said, 1T is morally justifi-
able so long as our object is to take no
articles save those which are used for
an illegal purpose"
Exactly. Since it is morally justifi-
able, I have only to consider the ques-
tion of personal risk. Surely gentle
man should not lay much stress upon
this when a lady is in most desperate
need Of help2"
You viii be in such a false position"
Wei, that is 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 VIII be as good as his word
and viii bring about her ruin. I must
therefore abandon my client to her fate
or must play this last card. Between
ourselves, Watson. it's a sporting duel
between this fellow Milverton and me.
He had, as you saw, the best Of the
hrst exchanges. but my self-respect and
my reputation are concerned TO fight it
to a finish"
Wei. don't like it, but I suppose
ii must be-" said I. When do we
start?"
You are not coming"
Then you are not going" said I. II
give you my word Of honor-and I new
er broke ii IN my life-that l viii 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 cant
tell what may happen. Anyway. NV
resolution is taken Other people besides
you have self-respect, and even repu-
tations"