Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-06

tice had overtaken a villain; that we had OUT own duties and our own ob- jects. which were not to be lost sight of. But hardly had the woman rushed from the room when Holmes with swift, silent steps was over at the oth- CT door. He turned the key in the lock. At the same instant we heard voices in the house and the sound of hurrying feet The revolver shots had reused the household. With perfect coolness Holmes slipped across to the safe, filled his two arms with bundles of letters and poured them all into the fire. Again and again he did it. until the safe was empty.
 Some one turned the handle and beat upon the outside of the door. Holmes looked swiftly round. The letter which had been the messenger of death for Milverton lay, all mottled with his blood, upon the table. Holmes tossed it in among the blazing papers. Then he drew the key from the outer door, passed through after me and locked 1t on the outside This way, Watson" said he, i've can scale the garden wall in this direction
 I could not have believed that an alarm could have spread so swiftly. Looking back, the huge house was enc blaze of light The front door was open, and figures were rushing down the drive The whole garden was alive with people, and one fellow raised view halloo as we emerged from the veranda and followed hard at our heels. Holmes seemed to know the grounds perfectly. and he threaded his way swiftly among plantation of small trees, l close at his heels and our foremost pursuer panting behind US. It was six foot wall which barred our path. but he sprang to the top and over. As I did the same felt the hand of the man behind me grab at my an- kle. but I kicked myself free and scram- bled over a grass strewn coping. 1 fell upon my face among some bushes, but Holmes had me on my feet in an in stant, and together we dashed away across the huge expanse Of Hampstead pose, before Holmes at last halted and listened intently All was absolute si- lence behind us. We had shaken of our pursuers and were safe.
 We had breakfasted and were smok- ing our morning pipe on the day after the remarkable experience which I have recorded when Mir. Lestrade of Scotland Yard, very solemn and i'm pressive, was ushered into our modest sitting room.
 Good morning. Mr Holmes,' said he; good morning. May ask if you are very busy just now?'
 Not too busy to listen - you.'
 T thought that perhaps if you had nothing particular on hand you might care to assist us in a most remarkable case which occurred only last night at Hampstead"
 Dear mep' said Holmes. What was that?'
 "A nurder-a most dramatic and re- markable murder. know how keen you are upon these things, and would take it as great favor if you would step down to Appledore Towers and give us the benefit of your advice. It is no ordinary crime. We have had our eyes upon this Mir. Milverton for some time. and, between ourselves, he was a bit of villain He Is known to have held papers which he used for purposes. These papers have all been burned by the murderers. No article of value was taken. as 1t is probable that the criminals were men of good position whose sole object was to prevent social exposure"
 ''Criminas:' said Holmes. "Plurall"
 "Yes. there were two of them. They were as nearly as possible captured red 1 handed. We have their footmarks. we have their description. It's ten to one l that we trace them. The first fellow 1 was a bit too active, but the second | was caught by the under gardener and 1 only got away after a struggle He |