Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1906-06-21
vii-THE ADVENTURE OF CHAs.
AUGUSTUS MIlVERTON.-Contin-

OCO.
Dear mo. lear me. how unfortu-
nate.' cried Milverton. taking out a
bulky pocketbook. II cannot help
thinking that ladies are ill-advised In
not making ar effort. Look at this
He help up u little note with n coat OF
arms upon the envelope. THAT be-
longs towel. perhaps 1t is hardly fair
to tell the name until tomorrow morn
Ing. But at that time 1t Will be in the
hands OF the lady's husband. And all
she will not find a beggarly
am which she could get by turning her
diamonds into paste. 1t is such a pity,
Now. you remember the sudden end of
the engagement between the Hon. Miss
Miles and Colonel Dorking? Only two
days before the wedding there was a
paragraph in the Morning Post to say
that 1t was all off. And why: 1t is
almost incredible. but the absurd sum
of Gl.20O would nave settled the whole
question. Is 1t not pitiful? And here
j lind you. a man OF sense, boggling
about terms. when your clients future
and honor are at stake. You surprise
me. Mr.. Holiness"
"What say is true Holmes an
swered. THE money cannot be found.
Surely 1t Is better for you t. take the
substantial sum which l offer tina to
ruin this woman's career. which can
profit you in no way??"
h you make a mistake, Mr..
Holmes. An exposure would profit me
indirectly to a considerable extent. /
nave eight or ten similar cases matur-
ing. II It was circulated among them
tina 1 had made a severe example of
che Lady Eva. 1 should find all of them
muc more open to reason. You see
my point?"
Holmes sprang from his chair.
&c behind him. Watson. Don't let
him out! Now, sir, let us see the con-
tents OF that note boo"
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 he butt of a large revolver.
which projected from the inside pocket.
~ nave been expecting you to do some
ming original This has been done so
OFTEN. and what good has ever come
from 1t? l assure you that l am armed
TO the teeth. and l am perfectly pre-
pared to use my weapons. knowing
that the law will support me. Besides,
your supposition that l would bring the
letters here In a note book is entirely
mistaken: 1 would do nothing so fool
ISM. And now. gentlemen, l have one
or two littl, Interviews this evening,
and 1t is a long drive to Hampstead"
lie stepped forward. took up his coat.
aid his hand on his revolver. and
turned to the door. 1 picked up a chair,
but Holmes shook his head, and laid
IL down again. With a bow. a smile,
and a twinkle. .Milve: m was out of
the room. and Il few moments after we
heard the slam of the carriage door and
n rattle of the wheels as he drove
away.
Holmes sat m%otionless by the fire. his
buried deep In his trouser pock-
cts. his chin sunk Upon his breast. his
eyes fixed upon he glowing embers.
Fol- half an hour he was silent and
still. Then. with the gesture of a man
VINO mas k his decision, he sprang
to his feet and passed into his bed
room. A little later a rakish young
workman. with a goatee beard and a
swagger. lit his clay pipe at the lamp
before descending into the street. "Iil
De pack some time. Watson" said he,
ana vanished into the night. 1 under
stood that he had opened his campaign
against Charles Augustus Milverton,
nut l little dreamed the strange shape
which that campaign was destined to
AXE"
For some days Holmes came and went
at all hours In this attire, but beyond
q remark hat his time was spent at
hampstead. and that 1t was not wasted.
1 knew nothing of what he was doing.
Al last, however. on Il wild, tempestu-
GUS evening, when the wind screamed
ana ratified against the windows. he re-
turned from his last expedition. and
having removed his disguise he sat be-
LOT the nre 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"
My dear fellow! 1 congrat-"
I Milverton's housemaii."
GOOD heavens. Holmes!"
II wanted information. Watson"
Surely you have gone too faro"
III was Il most necessary step. 7 am
q plumber with a rising business. E.scott
Dy name. 1 have walked out with her
each evening. and l have talked with
her. Good heavens. those talks,;
however. 1 have got all I wanted. I
Know Milverton's house as / know the
palm of my hand
But the girl. Holiness"
He shrugged his shoulders.
o can't help 1t. my dear Watson.
you must play your cards as best Won
when such a stake is on the table.
however. l rejoice to say that I have
q mated rival. who will certainly cut
me out the instant that my back is
turned. What a splendid night IT is,..
You like this weather."
1t suits my purpose. Watson. 7
mean to burgle Milverton's house to-
night" y
had a catching Of the breath. and
my skin went old at the words. which
were slowly uttered In a tone of con-
centrated resolution. AS a fash of
lightning in the night shows up in an in
slant every detail of a wild iandscape.
SO at one glance I seemed to see every
possible result Of such an action-the
detection. the capture. the honored ca
reer ending in %irreparable failure and
disgrace. my friend himself lying at
the mercy of the odious Milverton.
For heavens sake. Holmes, think
what you are 6oinE." I cried.
my dear fellow. I have given it every
consideration. ] am never precipit a te