The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1921-09-26

1t is years since the incidents of
which | speak took place, and yet it is
with diffidence that l allude to them.
For long time, even with the utmost
discretion and reticence, it would
have been impossible to make the
facts public, but now the principal per
son concerned is beyond the reach of
human law, and with due suppression
the story may be told in such fashion
as to injure no one. 1t records an alb
solutely unique experience in the ca.
reer both of Mr.. Holmes and of my
self The reader will excuse me if
conceal the date or any other fact by
which he might trace the actual oc-
currence.
We had been out for one of our eve
ming rambles, Holmes and l, and had
returned about o'clock on cold,
frosty, winters evening. AS Holmes
turned up the lamp the light fell upon
a card on the table. He glanced at it,
and then, with an ejaculation of dis
gust, threw it on the floor. | picked it
up and read:
Charles Augustus Milverton,
Appledore Towers,
Agent. Hampstead.
"uO Is uS L dSh6u
The worst man in London" Holmes
answered as he sat down and stretch.
ed his legs before the fire. rs any.
thing on the back of the card?"
| turned it over
viii call at 6:30-C. A. M"
read
Hum! He's about due Do you fee
a creeping, shrinking sensation, Wat
son, when you stand before the ser
pents in the Zoo and see the slithery
gliding, venomous creatures, with
their deadly eyes and wicked, flatten
ed faces? Well, that's how Milvertor
impresses me. I've had to do with
so murders in my career, but the
worst of them never gave me the re
pulsion which | have for this fellow
And yet l can't get out of doing bust
ness with him-indeed, he is here al
my invitation"
But who is he?"
"I'll tell you, Watson. He is the
king of all the blackmailers. Heaven
help the man, and still more tha WON
an, whose secret and reputation come
| into the power of Milverton, With &
smiling face and a heart of marble
he will squeeze and squeeze until ht
! has drained them dry. The fellow i!
a genius in his way, and would have
made his mark in some more SAVIOUR!
! trade. His method is as follows: HI
allows it TO be known that he is pre-
| pared to pay very high sums for let
| ters which compromise people o
wealth and position. He receive:
these wares not only from treacher
Gus Wallets or maids, but frequentl.
| from senteel ruffians, who have gained
/ the confidence and affection OF trust
ing women. He deals with no niggarC
hand. | happen to know that he pai(
seven hundred pounds to a footmal
| for a note two lines in length, ant
| that the ruin of a noble family wa
| the result. Everything which is il
! the market goes to Milverton, ant
| there are hundreds in this great cit.
who turn white at his name. No on
knows where his grip may fall, for h'
is far too rich and far TOO cunning Il
work from hand to mouth. He viii
| hold a card back for years in order t
play it at the moment when the stalk
is best worth winning. | have sal,
! that he is the worst man in London
and / would ask you how could on
compare the ruffian, who in hot bloo'
bludgeons his mate. with his man, VIII
methodically and at his leisure ton
lures the soul and wrings the nerve
in order to add to his already swol
len money-bags?" ...
| had seldom head my friend speaI
with such intensity of feeling.
! But surely" said |, the fellow
must be within the grasp of the law?