The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-09-15

prncipa ncrsou concerned is beyond the reach of hu
law, and with due suppression the story may be
told in such fashion to ininre no one 1t records
an absolutely unique experience in the career both OF
Mr. Sherlock Holmes and of myself The reader will
excuse me if conceal the date any other fact by
which he might trace the actual occurrence
We had been out for OF our evening rambes,
Holmes and l. and had returned about six o CLOCK
cold. frosty winters evening. AS Holmes turned
up the lamp the light fell upon card on the table
He glanced at it. and then, with an ejaculation of
disgust threw the floor. picked it and read;
CHARLES AUGUSTUS MIJvERToN
APPLEDoRE TOWERS,
HAMPSTEAD.
AGENT.
''Wbo is hea" asked.
The worst man in London Holmes answered,
as he sat down and stretched his legs before the
fire ISIS anything the back Of the cardi'
turned it
ssW call at $500. A. M read.
Hum! H. 8 about due Do you feel creeping,
shrinking sensation. Watson, when you stand before
the serpents the Zoo and the slithery, gliding
creatures, with their deadly and wicked
flatened faces7 WE'LL that Is how Milverton impresses
me I've had to do with fifty murderers in my ca
reer but the worst of them gave me the repul
sion which have for this fellow. And yet I cans
get out of doing business with bim-ndeed, he IS
here at my invitation
But who is he7''
s'In tell you, Watson. He is the king OF all the
blackmaers Heaven help the man. and still more
the woman, whose secret and reputation into the
power of Milverton! With smiling face and heart
of marble, he will squeeze and squeeze until he has
drained them dry. The fellow is genius in his way,
and would have made his mark in savory
trade His method is as follows: He allows it to be
known that he prepared to pay very high sums for
letters which compromise people of wealth and posi-
ton He receives these not only from treach-
erops Wallets maids, but frequently from genteel
ruffaDs, who have gained the confidence and sffec-
ton of trusting women. He deals with niggard
hand happen to know that he paid seven hundred
pounds to footman for note two lines in length,
and that the ruin Of noble family was the result.
Everything which is in the market goes to Miver-
ton and there hundreds in this great city who turn
white at his No knows where bis grip
may fall for he is far too rich and far too cunning
10 work from hand to mouth. He will hold card
back for years in order to play ii at the moment
when the stake is best worth winning. I have said
that he is tbe worst man in London, and l would
ask you how could compare the ruffian, who in
hot blood bludgeons his mate, with this man, who
metbodicay and his leisure tortures the soul aud
wrings the in order to add 10 his already
swollen money'bagsa'
! had seldom heard my friend speak with such
intensity of feeling
But surely" said 1, 'Ftbe fellow must be within
the grasp Of the law7"
Technically, no doubt but practically not What
would it profit woman, for example to get bim
few months Imprisonment, if her ruin must i'm
mediately follow His victims dare not hit back IF
ever be backmaiIed innocent person, then indeed
we should have him. but he is cunning the Evil
One No, must find other ways to fight him, ~
And why is he bere7''
Because an illustrous client has placed her
pitcous in my hands. Tt is the Lady Eva Black
well. tho most beautiful debutante of last
She is to be married in fortnight to the Earl Of Dow
ercourt. This fiend has several mprudept letters
imprudent Watson, nothing worse-whch writ
ten to impecunious young squire in the country
They would suffice to break off the match. Mvertou
Will send the letters to the Earl unless large
of money is paid him. I have been commissioned to
meet him, and-to make the best terms I can
At that instant there clatter and a rattle in
the street below Looking down I saw a stately
carriage and pair, the brilliant lamps cleaning on
the glossy launches of the noble chestnuts. A foot
opened the door, and a small, stout man in
shaggy astrakhan overcoat descended. A minute later
he was in the room
Charles Augustus Milverton man of fifty
with large, intellectual head round, plump hair
less face, a perpetual frozen smile, and two keen
grey eyes, which cleaned brightly from behind broad
Sod~rimmed glasses There something Of Mr.
Pickwcks bcnevolence in his appearance marred only
by the iDsncerty of the fixed smile and by the hard
glitter of those restless and penetrating eyes His
voice smooth and as his countenance as
he advanced with plump little hand extended mur-
muring his regret for having missed US at his first
visit Holmes disregarded the outstretched hand and
looked at him with face of granite Miverton s
smile broadened, he shrugged his shoulders removed
mis- overcoat, folded it with great deberation over
the back of chair and then took seat
This gentleman7" said he with wave in nv
direction. is it discreet7 Is it right7n
DR.. Watson is my friend and partner
Very good, Mr. Holmes. II is only in your eli.
euts interests that I protested, The matter is so
very decate-'
50 DIR. Watson has already heard of it,
Then proceed to business You ssy that
YOU are acting for Lady Eva Has she empowered
YOU TO accept my terms?"
''What your terms?"
Seven thousand pounds
And the alternative
Ny dear sir. it is painful for me TO discuss
1T. but II the money is not paid the i4th there
certainly will be no marriage the 18th" His in.
suffcrabe smile compscent than