The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1906-06-07
have gained the confidence and affec.

a to Milverton, and there are hundred
II In this great city who turn white a
q his name. No one knows where hi
4 grip may fall, for he is far too ricl
and far too cunning to work from
hand to mouth. He will hold a card bacl
4 for years in order to play it at the mo
ment when the stake is best wortt
winning. l a said hat he is thu
worst mar in London, and l would ash
you how could one compare this ruff
| fan, who in hot blood bludgeons hi:
> mate, with this man, who methodically
, and at his leisure tOrtureS the soul and
y 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
D be within the grasp of the law""
| "Technically, no doubt, but practical
l ~ not. What would it profit a woman,
for example, to get him a few months
5 Imprisonment, If her own ruin must
Immediately follow? His victims dare
not hit back. If ever he bIackmailed
an innocent person then indeed we
should have him, but he is as cunning
as the Evil One. No, no. we must find
other way 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 viii
send the letters to the earl unless a
large sum of money is paid him. !
AVE been commissioned to meet him
and-to make the best terms I can"
a that ~ ctn I, tJn,-N -
and a rattle in the street below. Look
ing down | 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 MiTverton 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 was something Of Mr.. Pick
wicll's benevolence in his appearance.
married 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 a
plump little han extended, murmurtnp
- ii IL llllSSGu us at MS |
first visit. Holmes dtsregarded the
outstretcl1ed hand and looked at him
broadened, he shrugged his shoulders,
with a face of granite. Milverton's smile
removed his overcoat, folded it with
great deliberation 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?'
DR.. Watson is my friend and part
ner."
Very good, Mr.. Holmes. 1t is only in
your clients interests that I protested.
The matter is SO very delicate-r
DIR. Watson has already heard of it,"
Then we a proceed to business.
You say that you are acting for Lady
Eva. Has n empowered You to &C
cept my terms?"
What are your terms?"
Seven thousand pounds"
And the alternative?"
My dear sir, it is painful for me to
discuss it, but If the money is not
paid on the 18th, there certainly will be
no marriage on the 18TH" His insult
ferable smile was more complacent
than ever.
Holmes thought for a little.
You appear to me-" he said, at asst.
ito be taking matters too much for
granted. I am, of course familiar with
the contents of these letters. MY client
will certainly do what I may advise.
[ shall counsel her to tell her future
husband the whole story, and to trus,
to his generosity"
Milverton chuckIed.
You evidently do not know the
said he.
From the baff1ed look upon Holmes
face, I could see clearly that he did.
What harm is there in the letters? ?"
he asked.
"Thay are snripbtlv-varr .nr,uh,xn
Milverton answered. THE lady was o
charming correspondent. But / can as.
sure you that the earl Of Dovercourt
would fail to appreciate them. How
ever, since o. think otherwise. we viii
let it rest at that. 1t is purely a matter
Of business. If Q think that it is In
the best interests of your client thai
these letters should be placed In the
hands Of the earl, then you would in.
deed be foolish to pay so large a sum
of money to regain them" HI rose and
seized his astrakhan coat
Holmes was grey with anger and
modification.
Wait a little" he said. You 20 toe
fast. We should certainly make every
effort to avoid scandal in so delicate a
matter"
Milverton relapsed into his chair.
y was sore that you would see it il
that light" he purred.
A the same time" Holmes con.
tinued, Lady Eva is not a wealth,
woman. l assure you hat g. 900 would
be a drain upon her and
that the sum you name Is utterly be
yond her power. I beg, therefore, thai,
o will moderate your demands. and
that you will return the letters at thu
price indicate. which is, I assure you
the highest that you can get"
Milverton's smile broadened and hi,
eyes tWinkled ~humorously. i
1 am aware that what you say |,
true about the lady's resources" sait
he. A the same time you must ad
nit that the occasion Of a lady's mar
rrlage Is o very suitable time for he,
4iends and relatives to make some lit |
tie effort upon her behalf. They may
hesitate as to an acceptable weddini
present. Let me assure them that thu !
little bundle Of letters would give NOR
JOY thar all the candelabra and butte:
dishes In London
1T Is impossible" said Holmes.