The Washington herald., 1912-03-03

to the teeth, and j am perfectly pre-
pared to use my weapons, knowing that
the law will support me. Besides, your
superstition that would bring the let
ters here IN notebook Is entirely mis-
taken. would do nothing so foolish.
And now, gentlemen, l have one or
two little interviews this evening, and
II 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 chair, but
Holues shook his head, and laid il
down again. With a bow, smile, and
twinkle. Milverton was out Of the
room; and few moments after we
heard the slam Of the carriage door
and the rattle OF the wheels as he drove
away.
Holmes sat motionless by the FIRE,
his hands buried deep IN his trousers
pockets. his chin sunk upon his breast,
his eyes fixed upon the glowing en-
bers. For half avn hour he was silent
and still. Then, with the gesture Of
man who has taken his decision, he
sprang to his feet and passed into his
bedroom. A little later a rakish young
workman, with a goatee beard and 4
swagger, lit his clay pipe at the lamp
before descending into the street. "I1l
be back, some time, Watson said he,
and vanished into the night. / UNDER
stood that he had opened his campaign
against Charles Augustus Milyerton.
but little dreamed the strange shape
which that campaign was destined to
take.
For some days Holmes came and
went at all hours in this attire, but
beyond remark that his time was
spent at Hampstead, and that Il was
not wasted, ! knew nothing of what
he. was doing At last, however, on a
wild, tempestuous evening, when the
wind screamed and ratified against the
windows, he returned from his last ex-
pedition, and having removed his dis
guise he sat before the FIRE and laughed
heartily in his silent inward fashion.
You would not call me marrying
man, Watson"
No, indeedl"
You'll be interested to hear that I'm
engaged
MY dear fellowl / congrat-"
ITO Milverton's housemaid."
Good heavens. Holiness
wanted information, Watson"
Surely you have gone too far!"
1T was most necessary step. | am
q plumber with rising business, Escott
by name. ! have walked out with her
each evening, and ! have talked with
her. Good heavens, those talksl How
ever, ! have got all j wanted. / know
MiNerton's house as know the palm
OF my hand"
But the girl, Holmes -
He shrugged his shoulders
You can't help il, my dear Watson.
You must play your cards as best you
can when such stake is on the table
However, ] rejoice to say that | have a
hated rival, who will certainly cut me
out the instant that my back is turned.
What a splendid night il is
You like this weather."
1T suits my purpose Watson, l
mean to burgle Milverton's house to-
night"
! had catching OF the breath, and
my skin went cold at the words, which
were slowly uttered in tone of con-
centrated resolution. As a fash of
lightning in the night shows up in an
instant every detail of wild landscape,
SO at one glance | 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
hfNfeJ VI bit Ouiouo NilNNiloh.
For heavens sake, Holmes, think
what you are doing" cried
my dear fellow, ] have given it
every consideration. am never pre-
cipitate in my actions, nor would l
adopt so energetic and, indeed, so dan
gerous a course. IL any other were pos
sible. Let us look at the matter clearly
and fairly. ] suppose that you will ad-
init that the action is morally justi6able,
though technically criminal To burgle
his house is no more than to forcibly
take his pocketbook--an action in which
you were prepared to aid me-"
turned il over in my mind.
Yes" said, 1T is morally justi6able
so long as our object is to take no
articles save those which are used for
an illegal purpose"
Exactly. Since il is morally justi-
fable. ] have only to consider the ques-
tion Of personal risk Surely gentle
man should not lay much stress upon