The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-06-08
have gained the confidence and ancc-
ton OF trusting women. He deals

have gained the confidence and ancc.
ton OF trusting women. He deal.
with no niggard land. I happen t.
know that he paid seven hundred
pounds to a footman for a note two
lines in length. and that the ruin of q
whole noble family was the result
Everything which is in the mark ct soc.
to Milverton. and there are hundred:
in this great city who turn white a,
his name. No one knows where his
grip may fall, for he is 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 it at the mo-
ment when the stake is best worth
winning. | ave said that he is the
worst man in London. and I would ask
YOU how could one compare this ruff
fan, who in hot blood bludgeons his
mate. with this man, who m~ethodically
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 l. the fellow must
be within the grasp of the law"
Technically, no doubt, but practical
ly not. What would it profit a woman
for example, to get him a few months.
imprisonment, if her own ruin mus,
Immediately follow? His victims dare
not hit back. If ever he blackmailed
an innocent person then indeed we
should have him, but he is as cunning
as the Evil One. No, no. we must find
other ways to fight him."
And why is he here?"
Because an illustrious client has
placed her piteous case in my hands.
1t is the Lady Eva Blackwell, the most
beautiful debutane of last season. She
is to be married in a fortnight to the
Earl OF Dovercourt. This fiend has
several %imprudent letters-imprudent,
Watson. nothing worse-which were
written to an ~impecunious young squire
in the country. They would suffice to
break off the match. Milverton will
send the letters to the earl unless a
large sum of money is paid him. ]
nave been commissioned to meet him
and-to make the best terms I can"
AT that instant there was a clatter
n a rattle in the street below. Look
Ing down I saw a stately carriage and
pair. the brilliant lamps cleaning on
the glossy launches of the noble chest
nuts. A footman opened the door,, and
a small. stout man in a shaggy astra-
khan overcoat descended. A minute
later he was in the room.
Charles Augustus MilNerton was a
man Of fifty, with a large. intellectual
head. a round, plump. hairless face, a
perpetual. frozen smile. and two keen
gray eyes, which cleaned brightly
from behind broad. gold trimmed glass
es. There vas something of Mr.. Pick
wick's b%enevolence in his appearance.
marred only by the fnsincerity Of the
fixed smile and by the hard glitter Of
those restless and penetrating eyes. His
voice was as smooth and suave as his
c~ountenance, as he advanced with a
plump little hand extended, murmuring
his regret for having missed us at his
first visit. Holmes dfsregarded the
nlNtCfrafohn1 hand or1 1NO1y1l - IT,.
broadened, he shrugged his shoulders,
with a face Of granite. Milverton's smile
removed his overcoat, folded IT with
great d~eliberatfon over the back Of a
chair. and then took a seat.
This gentleman?" said he, with a
wave in my direction. rs it discreet?
Is it right"
DIR Watson is my friend and part
ner."
Very good, ME- Holmes. 1t is only in
your clients interests that I protested.
The matter is so very delicate"
DIR. Watson has already heard of it."
..Then we can proceed to business.
Eva. Has She empowered yuu to ac-
cept my terms.-
What are your terms?"
Seven thousand pounds"
And the alternatives"
my dear sir, it is painful for me to
OlSCuSS IL, OuI AZ lES money is NOT
paid or the 18th, there certainly will be
no marriage on the 18th" His insult
ferable smile was more complacent
than ver
Holmes thought for a little.
You appear to me-" he said, at last,
Ito be taking matters too much for
granted. am, of course. familiar With
will certainly do what / may advise.
I sha counsel her to tell her future
husband the whole story, and to trust
to his generosity"
Milverton chuckle1.
You evidently do not know the
earl" said he.
From the bafled look upon Holmes
What harm is there in the letters?''
he asked.
They are sprightly-very sprightly."
Milverton answered. THE lady was q
charming correspondent. But l can as
sure you that the earl OF Doverceurt
would fail to appreciate them. How
ever, since you think otherwise, we will
let it rest at that. It is purely a matter
Of business. If think hat 1t is in
the best interests of your client that
these letters should be placed i'm the
hands of the earl. then you would in.
deed be foolish to pay so large a sum
of money to regain them" He rose and
seized his astrakhan 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 so delicate a
matter"
Milverton relapsed into his chair.
II was sure that you void see 1t IL
that light" he purred.
A the same time" Holmes con,
tinued. "Iady Eva is NOT a u.oalth1
woman. I assure you that $4,000 would
be a drain upon her resources, and
that the sum you name is utterly be
yond her power. 1 beg. therefore, tha,
you will moderate your demands, anG
that you will return the letters at tn,
price 1 indicate, which Is, 1 assure you
the highest hat you can get"
Milverton's smile %broadened and hi
eyes tw1nllled humorously.
II am aware that what you say Il
true about the lady's resources" salt
he. AT the same time you must ad