The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1906-06-15
vli-THE ADVENTURE OF cHAs.
AUGUSTUS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


Dear me. dear me, how unfortu
mattel" cried Milverton, taking out {
bulky pocketbook. Il cannot hell
. thinking that ladies are ill-advised ii
( not making an effort Look at this'
. Ele help up little note with coat OF
!; arms upon the envelope. THAT be
/ longs lowell perhaps it is hardly fail
to tell the name until tomorrow morn
. Ing. But at that time it will be in the
hands of the lady's husband. And al
because she will not find a beggarly
sum which she could get by turning hei
diamonds into paste. 1t is such pity!
Now. yol remember the sudden end OF
the engagement between the Hon. Miss
Miles ana Colonel Dorking? Only two
paragraph in the Morning Post to say
that 1t was all off. And why? 1t is
almost incredible. but the absurd sum
of G1,2O0 would have settled the whole
question. Is it not pitiful? And here
find you, man of sense, BICYCLING
about terms, when your clients future
and honor are at stake. You surprise
me. Mr.. Holmes"
What / say Is true" Holmes an
swered. The money cannot be found.
Surely 1t Is better for you to take the
substantial sum which offer than to
ruin this womans career, which can
profit you in no way?"
r.,
Holmes. An exposure would profit me
indirectly to a considerable extent. 1
have eight or ten similar cases matur-
Ing. II It was circulated among them
that had made a severe example of
3 the Lady Eva, should find a!! 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 note boo.:''
Milverton had glided US quick as rat
to the side Of the room, and stood with
his back against the wall.
Mr.. Holmes, Mr.. Holiness" he said.
turning the front of his coat and ex-
which projected from the inside pocket.
=: 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 1 am armed
10 the teeth. and am perfectly pre-
pared to use my weapons. knowing
that the law will support me. Besides,
your supposithon that would bring the
letters. here in note book is entirely
mistaken. would do nothing so fool
ISM. And now. gentlemen, I have one
or Two lfttl, interviews this evening,
ana 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 a chair.
but Holmes shook his head, and / laid
i down again. With a bow, smile,
and twinkle. Milve: IN was out Of
the room, and a few moments after we
heard the slam of the carriage door and
the rattle Of the wheels as lie drove
away. =
Holmes sat motionless by the fire, his
hands buried deep in his trouser 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 a man
VINO mas taken his decision, he sprang
4 ~ his feet and passed into his bed
i room. A little later rakish young
workman, with goatee beard and a
sWagger. lit his clay pipe at the lamp
before descending into the street. "I'il
y De pack some time Watson" said he,
and vanished into the night. / under-
$1,000 that lie had opened his campaign
AGAINST Charles Augustus Milverton.
but little dreamed the strange shape
which that campaign was destined to
take
~ For some days Holmes came and went
s ~ all hours. in this attire, but beyond
q remark that his time was spent at
hampstead, !. and that 1t was not wasted
Knew nothing of what he was doing
/. ~ last however, on a wild, tempestu-
s DAs evening, when the wind screa med
ana ratified against the windows. he re-
turned from his last expedition. and
naying removed his disguise he sat be-
Tore the fire and laughed heartily in
Y hta Silent inward fashion,
You would not call me a marrying
man, Watson?',
No, indeed!''
You'll be interested to hear that I'm
engaged. -
MY dear fellow! 1 congrat--,
TO MilXerton's housemaid.'
Good heavens, Holmesi"
u. wanted Information, watson.
Surely you have gone too faro.
sES ~ was most necessary step. I am
plumber with a rising business. Escott
ny name. have walked out with her
I each evening, and I have talked with
/ her. Good heavens, those talksl,.
However. have got all wanted. 4
I kiilo%s Mflverton's house as know the
palm: OF my hand,
But the girl, Holmes?.
lie shrugged his shoulders.
U. You can help 1t. my dear Watson
4 You must play your cards as best Won,
e1li1 when such a stake is on the table
However, rejoice to say that i have
Is hated rival, who will certainly cut
me out the instant that my back is
turned. What q splendid night II ISL,
gu like this weather? ,'
h suits my purpose. Watson +
mean to burgle Milyerfonsc housas -