The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1906-06-07

grip may fall for he IL far too rich
and far too cunning To work from
hand to mouth. He will hold a card back
for years In order to play IL ut the mo-
merit when the stake IL best worth
| winning. I have said that he IL the
worst man In London. and would ask
| YOU how could on. compare this ruff
nan. who IN hot blood bludgeons his
| mate. with this man. who methocically
and at his leisure fortunes the soul and
wrings the nerves In order To add To his
already swollen money bags
had seldom heard my friend speak
| with such intensity OF feeling.
But surely" said I. the fellow must
be within the grasp of the law
Technically. no doubt. but practical
~ not. What would II profit a woman.
for example. To get him a few months
| imprisonment. IL her own ruin must
| Immediately follow? His victims dare
| not hit back. II ever he blackmailcd
an innocent person then indeed We
should have him. but he II a. cunning
| as the EVIL one. No no. we must find
other ways To fight him
And why IL he here
| Because an iiiustrious client has
1 placed her piteous case In my hands.
II II the Lady Eva Blackwell. the most
beautiful debutane OF last season. She
Is to BE- married In fortnight to the
| Earl OF Dovrrcourt. This fiend has
several imnrudcnt lcttcrs-imprudent
Watson. nothing worse-whlch were
| written to an impccunlous young squire
| In the country. They would suffite to
break OF the match. Milverton viii
send the letters To the earl unless n
| large sum OF money IL paid him.
have been commissioned to meet him
/ and-to make the best terms I can"
| AZ that instant there was a clatfer
/ and n rattle In the street below. Look
ing down ! saw stately carriage and
| pair. the brilliant lamps cleaning on
the glossy launches OF the noble chest
nuts. a footrnan opened the door. and
a small. stout man In shaggy nstra-
khan overcoat descended. A minute
/ later he was In the room.
| Charles Augustus Miivcrton was n
man OF fifty. with n large. intellectual
head. round. plump. hairless face. a
perpetual. frozen smile. and two keen
gray eyes. which cleaned brightly
from behind broad. gold trimmed glass
ca. There was something OF Mr.. Pick
| wick's benevolence In his appearance.
marred only by the insincerity OF the
fixed smile and by the hard glitter OF
those restless and penetrating eyes. His
voice was as smooth and suave as his
countenance. as he advanced with n
plump little hand extended. murmurinx
/ his regret for having missed US mt his
FIRST visit. Holmes disregarded the
outstretched hand and looked ut him
broadcned. he shrugged his shoulders.
with a face OF granite. Milverton's smile
removed his overcoat, folded IL with
great elaboration over the back OF n
| chair and then took a seat.
This gentleman" said he. with n
wave In my direction. lis IL discreet?
| Il II right"
"Dr. Watson Is my friend and part
ner."
Very good. Mr. Holmes II IL only In
your clients interests that l protested.
| The matter IL so very delicate"
| DIR. Watson has already heard OF IT,"
Then We can proceed to business.
You say that you are acting for Lady
Eva. Has she empowered you TO &C
cept my terms?'
What are your terms"
| Seven thousand pounds"
| And the alternative"
| my dear sir, Il II painful for me TO
discuss u. but IL the money II not
paid on the 18th, there certainly will be
| no marriage on the 18th" His insult
| than ever.
Holmes thought for little.
You appear TO me-" he said. ut last.
Ito be- taking matters too much for
| granted. ! am. OF course. familiar with
the contents OF these letters. My client
viii certainly do what 1 may advise.
I shall counsel her To- tell her future
husband the whole story, and TO trust
| TO his generosity"
| Milv"rtou Chuckied.
You evidently do not know the
| earl" said he.
From the baiiicd look upon Holmes
| face. I could see clearly that he did.
| what harm IL there In the icttcrs?''
he asked.
They are sprightiy-vcry sprightly."
| Milverton answered. The lady was n
charming correspondent. Hut can as
SURF you ts-. the earl OF Dovercourt
would Ih,i To appreciate them. How
| ever. since you think otherwise. We will
II; II rest At that. II is purely "A matter
| OF business. II you think that Il II I'm
the best interests OF your client that
these letters should lie placed In the
hands of the earl. then you would In
deed be foolish tn pay ~ large "A SUM
| OF money To regain them" lie rose and
| seized his astrnkhan coat.
Holmes was grey with anger and
| modification.
Wait a little" he said You GO too
fast. We should certainly make every
effort To avoid scandal In 50 delicate a
| matter"
Mllvcrton relapscd into his chair.
II was sure that you would see Il In
that light" he purred.
AT the same time" Holmes con-
tinued. Lady Eva II not wealthy
woman. ] assure you that & 900 would
| De drain upon her resources, and
that the sum you name Is utterly be-
yond her power. I beg. therefore. that
you will moderate your demands. and
that you Will return the letters at the
price Indicate. which is assure you.
the highest that you can get"
Mllvertons smile broadcned and his
eyes twinkled humorously.
II am aware that what you say IL
true about the lady's resources" said
he. AT the same time you must adj
init that the occasion of "A lady's mar
riage IL n very suitable time for her
friends and relatives to make some ~ =
tie effort upon her behalf. They may
hesitate ~ to an acceptable wedding
present. Let me assure them that this
little bundle Of letters would give more
JOY than all the caudelabra and butter
diIheS In London"