The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-05-03

eng, OF the, engagement .Detweeu Tie
Honorable Miss Miles and Colonel
porking? Only two days before the
wedding there was paragraph in the
Morning Post to say that it was all
off. And why? 1t is almost Incredible,
but the absurd sum Of $1,000 would
have settled the whole question. Is it
not pitiful? And here find you, a
man Of sense, BICYCLING about terms
when your clients future and honor
are at stake. You surprise me, Mr..
Holiness"
what 1 say Is true" Holmes an
swered ''The money cannot be found.
Surely it is better for you to take the
substantial sum which l offer than to
ruin this woman's career, which can
profit you in no way"
"'Thcre you make mistake. Mr..
Holmes. An exposure would profit me
indirectly to considerable extent.
have eight or ten similar cases matur-
ing. If it was circulated among them
that l had made severe example of
the Lady Eva should find all of
them much more open to reason. You
see my point!"
Holmes sprang from his chair.
Get behind him, Watson! Don't let
him out. Now. sir, let us see the con-
tents of that notebook"
Milverton had glided as quick as a
rat to the side of the room and stood
with his back against the wall.
mir. Holmes, Mr.. Holiness" he said,
turning the front of his coat and eX
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 it: assure you that am arm
ed to the teeth and l am perfectly
prepared to use my weapons, knowing
that the law will support me. Be
sides. your superstition that would
bring the letters here in notebook is
entirely mistaken. l would do nothing
so foolish. And now, gentlemen,
have one or two little interviews this
evening, and it is a long drive to
Hampstead" 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 l laid it down again.
With bow, smile and twinkle
AIilverton was out of the room, and q
few moments after we heard the slam
of the carriage door and the rattle Of
the wheels as he drove away
4, IN;
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 man
who has taken his decision, he sprang
to his feet and passed into his bedroom
A little later rakish young workman.
with a goatee beard and Il swagger, lit
his clay pipe at the lamp before de-
scending into the street. I'm be back
some time, Watson" said he. and van
ished into the night. understood that
he had opened his campaign against
Charles August Milverton, but l little
dreamed the strange shape which that
campaign was destined to take.
For some days Holmes came and
went at all hours in this attire but be-
yond 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
windows, he returned from his last ex-
redition. and. having removed his dis
;:uise, he sat before the fire and laugh
ID heartily in his silent inward fashion
You would not call me marrying
nan. Watson?"
mo, indeedw
You'll be interested to hear that I'm
engaged"
MY dear fellow. congrat''-
TO Milverton's housemaid."
Good heavens, Holmes!'
II wanted information, Watson"
Surely you have gone too far
| 1T was n most necessary step. | ami
plumber, with Il rising business, Es-
ut by name. l have walked out with
| Ter each evening, and l have talked
with her. Good heavens, those talks!
However, l have got all l wanted |
know NIilverton's house as know the
palm OF my hand"
but the girl, Holmes?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
You can't help it, my dear Watson
You must play Your cards as best YOU
can when such stake is ON the table
4 However, i rejoice to say that l have
Il hated rival, who will certainly cut
me out the instant that my back is
turned. What a splendid night 1t isl"
You like this weather."
1T suits my purpose. Watson, ]
mean to burgle Milverton's house to
night"
/ had q catching of the breath anG
my skin went cold at the words, which
We're slowly uttered in tone of con
centrated resolution. AS a flash O,
lightning in the night shows up in al
instant every detail of wild land
scape, so at one glance seemed to SCI
every possible result of such an action
the detection, the capture the hon
Or9Q career pn1iNw i'm jrI.anorohl f,;l