VII.--The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton.
IT is years since the incidents of which I speak took place, and yet itis with diffidence that I allude to them. For a long time, even with theutmost discretion and reticence, it would have been impossible to makethe facts public; but now the principal person concerned is beyond thereach of human law, and with due suppression the story may be toldin such fashion as to injure no one. It records an absolutely uniqueexperience in the career both of Mr. Sherlock Holmes and of myself. Thereader will excuse me if I conceal the date or any other fact by whichhe might trace the actual occurrence.
We had been out for one of our evening rambles, Holmes and I, and hadreturned about six o'clock on a cold, frosty winter's evening. As Holmesturned up the lamp the light fell upon a card on the table. He glancedat it, and then, with an ejaculation of disgust, threw it on the floor.I picked it up and read:--
CHARLES AUGUSTUS MILVERTON, APPLEDORE TOWERS, AGENT. HAMPSTEAD.
"Who is he?" I asked.
"The worst man in London," Holmes answered, as he sat down and stretchedhis legs before the fire. "Is anything on the back of the card?"
I turned it over.
"Will call at 6.30--C.A.M.," I read.
"Hum! He's about due. Do you feel a creeping, shrinking sensation,Watson, when you stand before the serpents in the Zoo and see theslithery, gliding, venomous creatures, with their deadly eyes andwicked, flattened faces? Well, that's how Milverton impresses me. I'vehad to do with fifty murderers in my career, but the worst of them nevergave me the repulsion which I have for this fellow. And yet I can't getout of doing business with him--indeed, he is here at my invitation."
"But who is he?"
"I'll tell you, Watson. He is the king of all the blackmailers. Heavenhelp the man, and still more the woman, whose secret and reputation comeinto the power of Milverton. With a smiling face and a heart of marblehe will squeeze and squeeze until he has drained them dry. The fellow isa genius in his way, and would have made his mark in some more savourytrade. His method is as follows: He allows it to be known that he isprepared to pay very high sums for letters which compromise people ofwealth or position. He receives these wares not only from treacherousvalets or maids, but frequently from genteel ruffians who have gainedthe confidence and affection of trusting women. He deals with no niggardhand. I happen to know that he paid seven hundred pounds to a footmanfor a note two lines in length, and that the ruin of a noble family wasthe result. Everything which is in the market goes to Milverton, andthere are hundreds in this great city who turn white at his name. Noone knows where his grip may fall, for he is far too rich and far toocunning to work from hand to mouth. He will hold a card back for yearsin order to play it at the moment when the stake is best worth winning.I have said that he is the worst man in London, and I would ask you howcould one compare the ruffian who in hot blood bludgeons his mate withthis man, who methodically and at his leisure tortures the soul andwrings the nerves in order to add to his already swollen money-bags?"
I had seldom heard my friend speak with such intensity of feeling.
"But surely," said I, "the fellow must be within the grasp of the law?"
"Technically, no doubt, but practically not. What would it profit awoman, for example, to get him a few months' imprisonment if her ownruin must immediately follow? His victims dare not hit back. If ever heblackmailed an innocent person, then, indeed, we should have him; but heis as cunning as the Evil One. No, no; we must find other ways to fighthim."
"And why is he here?"
"Because an illustrious client has placed her piteous case in my hands.It is the Lady Eva Brackwell, the most beautiful DEBUTANTE of lastseason. She is to be married in a fortnight to the Earl of Dovercourt.This fiend has several imprudent letters--imprudent, Watson, nothingworse--which were written to an impecunious young squire in the country.They would suffice to break off the match. Milverton will send theletters to the Earl unless a large sum of money is paid him. I have beencommissioned to meet him, and--to make the best terms I can."
At that instant there was a clatter and a rattle in the street below.Looking down I saw a stately carriage and pair, the brilliant lampsgleaming on the glossy haunches of the noble chestnuts. A footmanopened the door, and a small, stout man in a shaggy astrachan overcoatdescended. A minute later he was in the room.
Charles Augustus Milverton was a man of fifty, with a large,intellectual head, a round, plump, hairless face, a perpetual frozensmile, and two keen grey eyes, which gleamed brightly from behind broad,golden-rimmed glasses. There was something of Mr. Pickwick's benevolencein his appearance, marred only by the insincerity of the fixed smile andby the hard glitter of those restless and penetrating eyes. His voicewas as smooth and suave as his countenance, as he advanced with a plumplittle hand extended, murmuring his regret for having missed us at hisfirst visit. Holmes disregarded the outstretched hand and looked at himwith a face of granite. Milverton's smile broadened; he shrugged hisshoulders, removed his overcoat, folded it with great deliberation overthe back of a chair, and then took a seat.
"This gentleman?" said he, with a wave in my direction. "Is it discreet?Is it right?"
"Dr. Watson is my friend and partner."
"Very good, Mr. Holmes. It is only in your client's interests that Iprotested. The matter is so very delicate----"
"Dr. Watson has already heard of it."
"Then we can proceed to business. You say that you are acting for LadyEva. Has she empowered you to accept 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 isnot paid on the 14th there certainly will be no marriage on the 18th."His insufferable smile was more complacent than ever.
Holmes thought for a little.
"You appear to me," he said, at last, "to be taking matters too much forgranted. I am, of course, familiar with the contents of these letters.My client will certainly do what I may advise. I shall counsel her totell her future husband the whole story and to trust to his generosity."
Milverton chuckled.
"You evidently do not know the Earl," said he.
From the baffled look upon Holmes's face I could see clearly that hedid.
"What harm is there in the letters?" he asked.
"They are sprightly--very sprightly," Milverton answered. "The ladywas a charming correspondent. But I can assure you that the Earl ofDovercourt would fail to appreciate them. However, since you thinkotherwise, we will let it rest at that. It is purely a matter ofbusiness. If you think that it is in the best interests of your clientthat these letters should be placed in the hands of the Earl, then youwould indeed be foolish to pay so large a sum of money to regain them."He rose and seized his astrachan coat.
Holmes was grey with anger and mortification.
"Wait a little," he said. "You go too fast. We would certainly makeevery effort to avoid scandal in so delicate a matter."
Milverton relapsed into his chair.
"I was sure that you would see it in that light," he purred.
"At the same time," Holmes continued, "Lady Eva is not a wealthywoman. I assure you that two thousand pounds would be a drain upon herresources, and that the sum you name is utterly beyond her power. I beg,therefore, that you will moderate your demands, and that you will returnthe letters at the price I indicate, which is, I assure you, the highestthat you can get."
Milverton's smile broadened and his eyes twinkled humorously.
"I am aware that what you say is true about the lady's resources," saidhe. "At the same time, you must admit that the occasion of a lady'smarriage is a very suitable time for her friends and relatives tomake some little effort upon her behalf. They may hesitate as to anacceptable wedding present. Let me assure them that this little bundleof letters would give more joy than all the candelabra and butter-dishesin
London."
"It is impossible," said Holmes.
"Dear me, dear me, how unfortunate!" cried Milverton, taking out a bulkypocket-book. "I cannot help thinking that ladies are ill-advised innot making an effort. Look at this!" He held up a little note with acoat-of-arms upon the envelope. "That belongs to--well, perhaps it ishardly fair to tell the name until to-morrow morning. But at that timeit will be in the hands of the lady's husband. And all because she willnot find a beggarly sum which she could get by turning her diamondsinto paste. It IS such a pity. Now, you remember the sudden end of theengagement between the Honourable Miss Miles and Colonel Dorking? Onlytwo days before the wedding there was a paragraph in the MORNING POSTto say that it was all off. And why? It is almost incredible, butthe absurd sum of twelve hundred pounds would have settled the wholequestion. Is it not pitiful? And here I find you, a man of sense,boggling about terms when your client's future and honour are at stake.You surprise me, Mr. Holmes."
"What I say is true," Holmes answered. "The money cannot be found.Surely it is better for you to take the substantial sum which I offerthan to ruin this woman's career, which can profit you in no way?"
"There you make a mistake, Mr. Holmes. An exposure would profit meindirectly to a considerable extent. I have eight or ten similar casesmaturing. If it was circulated among them that I had made a severeexample of the Lady Eva I should find all of them much more open toreason. You see my point?"
Holmes sprang from his chair.
"Get behind him, Watson! Don't let him out! Now, sir, let us see thecontents of that note-book."
Milverton had glided as quick as a rat to the side of the room, andstood with his back against the wall.
"Mr. Holmes, Mr. Holmes," he said, turning the front of his coat andexhibiting the butt of a large revolver, which projected from the insidepocket. "I have been expecting you to do something original. This hasbeen done so often, and what good has ever come from it? I assure youthat I am armed to the teeth, and I am perfectly prepared to use myweapons, knowing that the law will support me. Besides, your suppositionthat I would bring the letters here in a note-book is entirely mistaken.I would do nothing so foolish. And now, gentlemen, I have one or twolittle interviews this evening, and it is a long drive to Hampstead."He stepped forward, took up his coat, laid his hand on his revolver, andturned to the door. I picked up a chair, but Holmes shook his head andI laid it down again. With bow, a smile, and a twinkle Milverton was outof the room, and a few moments after we heard the slam of the carriagedoor and the rattle of the wheels as he drove away.
Holmes sat motionless by the fire, his hands buried deep in his trouserpockets, his chin sunk upon his breast, his eyes fixed upon the glowingembers. For half an hour he was silent and still. Then, with the gestureof a man who has taken his decision, he sprang to his feet and passedinto his bedroom. A little later a rakish young workman with a goateebeard and a swagger lit his clay pipe at the lamp before descending intothe street. "I'll be back some time, Watson," said he, and vanished intothe night. I understood that he had opened his campaign against CharlesAugustus Milverton; but I little dreamed the strange shape which thatcampaign was destined to take.
For some days Holmes came and went at all hours in this attire, butbeyond a remark that his time was spent at Hampstead, and that it wasnot wasted, I knew nothing of what he was doing. At last, however, ona wild, tempestuous evening, when the wind screamed and rattled againstthe windows, he returned from his last expedition, and having removedhis disguise he sat before the fire and laughed heartily in his silentinward fashion.
"You would not call me a marrying man, Watson?"
"No, indeed!"
"You'll be interested to hear that I am engaged."
"My dear fellow! I congrat----"
"To Milverton's housemaid."
"Good heavens, Holmes!"
"I wanted information, Watson."
"Surely you have gone too far?"
"It was a most necessary step. I am a plumber with a rising business,Escott by name. I have walked out with her each evening, and I havetalked with her. Good heavens, those talks! However, I have got all Iwanted. I know Milverton's house as I know the palm of my hand."
"But the girl, Holmes?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"You can't help it, my dear Watson. You must play your cards as best youcan when such a stake is on the table. However, I rejoice to say thatI have a hated rival who will certainly cut me out the instant that myback is turned. What a splendid night it is!"
"You like this weather?"
"It suits my purpose. Watson, I mean to burgle Milverton's houseto-night."
I had a catching of the breath, and my skin went cold at the words,which were slowly uttered in a tone of concentrated resolution. As aflash of lightning in the night shows up in an instant every detail ofa wide landscape, so at one glance I seemed to see every possible resultof such an action--the detection, the capture, the honoured careerending in irreparable failure and disgrace, my friend himself lying atthe mercy of the odious Milverton.
"For Heaven's sake, Holmes, think what you are doing," I cried.
"My dear fellow, I have given it every consideration. I am neverprecipitate in my actions, nor would I adopt so energetic and indeed sodangerous a course if any other were possible. Let us look at the matterclearly and fairly. I suppose that you will admit that the action ismorally justifiable, though technically criminal. To burgle his houseis no more than to forcibly take his pocket-book--an action in which youwere prepared to aid me."
I turned it over in my mind.
"Yes," I said; "it is morally justifiable so long as our object is totake no articles save those which are used for an illegal purpose."
"Exactly. Since it is morally justifiable I have only to consider thequestion of personal risk. Surely a gentleman should not lay much stressupon this when a lady is in most desperate need of his help?"
"You will be in such a false position."
"Well, that is part of the risk. There is no other possible way ofregaining these letters. The unfortunate lady has not the money, andthere are none of her people in whom she could confide. To-morrow isthe last day of grace, and unless we can get the letters to-night thisvillain will be as good as his word and will bring about her ruin. Imust, therefore, abandon my client to her fate or I must play thislast card. Between ourselves, Watson, it's a sporting duel betweenthis fellow Milverton and me. He had, as you saw, the best of the firstexchanges; but my self-respect and my reputation are concerned to fightit to a finish."
"Well, I don't like it; but I suppose it must be," said I. "When do westart?"
"You are not coming."
"Then you are not going," said I. "I give you my word of honour--andI never broke it in my life--that I will take a cab straight to thepolice-station and give you away unless you let me share this adventurewith you."
"You can't help me."
"How do you know that? You can't tell what may happen. Anyway, myresolution is taken. Other people beside you have self-respect and evenreputations."
Holmes had looked annoyed, but his brow cleared, and he clapped me onthe shoulder.
"Well, well, my dear fellow, be it so. We have shared the same roomfor some years, and it would be amusing if we ended by sharing thesame cell. You know, Watson, I don't mind confessing to you that I havealways had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal.This is the chance of my lifetime in that direction. See here!" He tooka neat little leather case out of a drawer, and opening it he exhibiteda number of shining instruments. "This is a first-class, up-to-dateburgling kit, with nickel-plated jemmy, diamond-tipped glass-cutter,adaptable keys, and every modern improvement which the march ofcivilization demands. Here, too, is my dark lantern. Everything is inorder. Have you a pair of silent shoes?"
"I have rubber-soled tennis shoes."
"Excellent. And a mask?"
"I can make a couple out of black silk."
"I can see that you have a st
rong natural turn for this sort of thing.Very good; do you make the masks. We shall have some cold supper beforewe start. It is now nine-thirty. At eleven we shall drive as far asChurch Row. It is a quarter of an hour's walk from there to AppledoreTowers. We shall be at work before midnight. Milverton is a heavysleeper and retires punctually at ten-thirty. With any luck we should beback here by two, with the Lady Eva's letters in my pocket."
Holmes and I put on our dress-clothes, so that we might appear to be twotheatre-goers homeward bound. In Oxford Street we picked up a hansom anddrove to an address in Hampstead. Here we paid off our cab, and with ourgreat-coats buttoned up, for it was bitterly cold and the wind seemed toblow through us, we walked along the edge of the Heath.
"It's a business that needs delicate treatment," said Holmes. "Thesedocuments are contained in a safe in the fellow's study, and the studyis the ante-room of his bed-chamber. On the other hand, like all thesestout, little men who do themselves well, he is a plethoric sleeper.Agatha--that's my FIANCEE--says it is a joke in the servants' hall thatit's impossible to wake the master. He has a secretary who is devoted tohis interests and never budges from the study all day. That's why we aregoing at night. Then he has a beast of a dog which roams the garden. Imet Agatha late the last two evenings, and she locks the brute up soas to give me a clear run. This is the house, this big one in its owngrounds. Through the gate--now to the right among the laurels. We mightput on our masks here, I think. You see, there is not a glimmer of lightin any of the windows, and everything is working splendidly."
With our black silk face-coverings, which turned us into two of the mosttruculent figures in London, we stole up to the silent, gloomy house.A sort of tiled veranda extended along one side of it, lined by severalwindows and two doors.
"That's his bedroom," Holmes whispered. "This door opens straight intothe study. It would suit us best, but it is bolted as well as locked,and we should make too much noise getting in. Come round here. There's agreenhouse which opens into the drawing-room."
The place was locked, but Holmes removed a circle of glass and turnedthe key from the inside. An instant afterwards he had closed the doorbehind us, and we had become felons in the eyes of the law. The thick,warm air of the conservatory and the rich, choking fragrance of exoticplants took us by the throat. He seized my hand in the darkness and ledme swiftly past banks of shrubs which brushed against our faces. Holmeshad remarkable powers, carefully cultivated, of seeing in the dark.Still holding my hand in one of his he opened a door, and I was vaguelyconscious that we had entered a large room in which a cigar had beensmoked not long before. He felt his way among the furniture, openedanother door, and closed it behind us. Putting out my hand I feltseveral coats hanging from the wall, and I understood that I was in apassage. We passed along it, and Holmes very gently opened a door uponthe right-hand side. Something rushed out at us and my heart sprang intomy mouth, but I could have laughed when I realized that it was the cat.A fire was burning in this new room, and again the air was heavy withtobacco smoke. Holmes entered on tiptoe, waited for me to follow, andthen very gently closed the door. We were in Milverton's study, and aPORTIERE at the farther side showed the entrance to his bedroom.
It was a good fire, and the room was illuminated by it. Near the door Isaw the gleam of an electric switch, but it was unnecessary, even if ithad been safe, to turn it on. At one side of the fireplace was a heavycurtain, which covered the bay window we had seen from outside. On theother side was the door which communicated with the veranda. A deskstood in the centre, with a turning chair of shining red leather.Opposite was a large bookcase, with a marble bust of Athene on the top.In the corner between the bookcase and the wall there stood a tall greensafe, the firelight flashing back from the polished brass knobs upon itsface. Holmes stole across and looked at it. Then he crept to the door ofthe bedroom, and stood with slanting head listening intently. No soundcame from within. Meanwhile it had struck me that it would be wiseto secure our retreat through the outer door, so I examined it. To myamazement it was neither locked nor bolted! I touched Holmes on the arm,and he turned his masked face in that direction. I saw him start, and hewas evidently as surprised as I.
"I don't like it," he whispered, putting his lips to my very ear. "Ican't quite make it out. Anyhow, we have no time to lose."
"Can I do anything?"
"Yes; stand by the door. If you hear anyone come, bolt it on the inside,and we can get away as we came. If they come the other way, we canget through the door if our job is done, or hide behind these windowcurtains if it is not. Do you understand?"
I nodded and stood by the door. My first feeling of fear had passedaway, and I thrilled now with a keener zest than I had ever enjoyed whenwe were the defenders of the law instead of its defiers. The high objectof our mission, the consciousness that it was unselfish and chivalrous,the villainous character of our opponent, all added to the sportinginterest of the adventure. Far from feeling guilty, I rejoiced andexulted in our dangers. With a glow of admiration I watched Holmesunrolling his case of instruments and choosing his tool with the calm,scientific accuracy of a surgeon who performs a delicate operation. Iknew that the opening of safes was a particular hobby with him, and Iunderstood the joy which it gave him to be confronted with this greenand gold monster, the dragon which held in its maw the reputations ofmany fair ladies. Turning up the cuffs of his dress-coat--he had placedhis overcoat on a chair--Holmes laid out two drills, a jemmy, andseveral skeleton keys. I stood at the centre door with my eyes glancingat each of the others, ready for any emergency; though, indeed, my planswere somewhat vague as to what I should do if we were interrupted. Forhalf an hour Holmes worked with concentrated energy, laying down onetool, picking up another, handling each with the strength and delicacyof the trained mechanic. Finally I heard a click, the broad green doorswung open, and inside I had a glimpse of a number of paper packets,each tied, sealed, and inscribed. Holmes picked one out, but it was hardto read by the flickering fire, and he drew out his little dark lantern,for it was too dangerous, with Milverton in the next room, to switch onthe electric light. Suddenly I saw him halt, listen intently, and thenin an instant he had swung the door of the safe to, picked up hiscoat, stuffed his tools into the pockets, and darted behind the windowcurtain, motioning me to do the same.
It was only when I had joined him there that I heard what had alarmedhis quicker senses. There was a noise somewhere within the house. A doorslammed in the distance. Then a confused, dull murmur broke itself intothe measured thud of heavy footsteps rapidly approaching. They were inthe passage outside the room. They paused at the door. The door opened.There was a sharp snick as the electric light was turned on. The doorclosed once more, and the pungent reek of a strong cigar was borneto our nostrils. Then the footsteps continued backwards and forwards,backwards and forwards, within a few yards of us. Finally, there was acreak from a chair, and the footsteps ceased. Then a key clicked in alock and I heard the rustle of papers.
So far I had not dared to look out, but now I gently parted the divisionof the curtains in front of me and peeped through. From the pressureof Holmes's shoulder against mine I knew that he was sharing myobservations. Right in front of us, and almost within our reach, was thebroad, rounded back of Milverton. It was evident that we had entirelymiscalculated his movements, that he had never been to his bedroom,but that he had been sitting up in some smoking or billiard room in thefarther wing of the house, the windows of which we had not seen. Hisbroad, grizzled head, with its shining patch of baldness, was in theimmediate foreground of our vision. He was leaning far back in the redleather chair, his legs outstretched, a long black cigar projectingat an angle from his mouth. He wore a semi-military smoking jacket,claret-coloured, with a black velvet collar. In his hand he held a longlegal document, which he was reading in an indolent fashion, blowingrings of tobacco smoke from his lips as he did so. There was no promiseof a speedy departure in his composed bearing and his comfortableattitude.
I felt Holmes's hand st
eal into mine and give me a reassuring shake, asif to say that the situation was within his powers and that he waseasy in his mind. I was not sure whether he had seen what was only tooobvious from my position, that the door of the safe was imperfectlyclosed, and that Milverton might at any moment observe it. In my ownmind I had determined that if I were sure, from the rigidity of hisgaze, that it had caught his eye, I would at once spring out, throw mygreat-coat over his head, pinion him, and leave the rest to Holmes. ButMilverton never looked up. He was languidly interested by the papers inhis hand, and page after page was turned as he followed the argument ofthe lawyer. At least, I thought, when he has finished the document andthe cigar he will go to his room; but before he had reached the end ofeither there came a remarkable development which turned our thoughtsinto quite another channel.
Several times I had observed that Milverton looked at his watch, andonce he had risen and sat down again, with a gesture of impatience. Theidea, however, that he might have an appointment at so strange anhour never occurred to me until a faint sound reached my ears fromthe veranda outside. Milverton dropped his papers and sat rigid in hischair. The sound was repeated, and then there came a gentle tap at thedoor. Milverton rose and opened it.
"Well," said he, curtly, "you are nearly half an hour late."
So this was the explanation of the unlocked door and of the nocturnalvigil of Milverton. There was the gentle rustle of a woman's dress. Ihad closed the slit between the curtains as Milverton's face had turnedin our direction, but now I ventured very carefully to open it oncemore. He had resumed his seat, the cigar still projecting at an insolentangle from the corner of his mouth. In front of him, in the full glareof the electric light, there stood a tall, slim, dark woman, a veil overher face, a mantle drawn round her chin. Her breath came quick and fast,and every inch of the lithe figure was quivering with strong emotion.
"Well," said Milverton, "you've made me lose a good night's rest,my dear. I hope you'll prove worth it. You couldn't come any othertime--eh?"
The woman shook her head.
"Well, if you couldn't you couldn't. If the Countess is a hard mistressyou have your chance to get level with her now. Bless the girl, what areyou shivering about? That's right! Pull yourself together! Now, let usget down to business." He took a note from the drawer of his desk. "Yousay that you have five letters which compromise the Countess d'Albert.You want to sell them. I want to buy them. So far so good. It onlyremains to fix a price. I should want to inspect the letters, of course.If they are really good specimens--Great heavens, is it you?"
The woman without a word had raised her veil and dropped the mantlefrom her chin. It was a dark, handsome, clear-cut face which confrontedMilverton, a face with a curved nose, strong, dark eyebrows shadinghard, glittering eyes, and a straight, thin-lipped mouth set in adangerous smile.
"It is I," she said; "the woman whose life you have ruined."
Milverton laughed, but fear vibrated in his voice. "You were so veryobstinate," said he. "Why did you drive me to such extremities? Iassure you I wouldn't hurt a fly of my own accord, but every man has hisbusiness, and what was I to do? I put the price well within your means.You would not pay."
"So you sent the letters to my husband, and he--the noblest gentlemanthat ever lived, a man whose boots I was never worthy to lace--he brokehis gallant heart and died. You remember that last night when I camethrough that door I begged and prayed you for mercy, and you laughed inmy face as you are trying to laugh now, only your coward heart cannotkeep your lips from twitching? Yes, you never thought to see me hereagain, but it was that night which taught me how I could meet you faceto face, and alone. Well, Charles Milverton, what have you to say?"
"Don't imagine that you can bully me," said he, rising to his feet. "Ihave only to raise my voice, and I could call my servants and have youarrested. But I will make allowance for your natural anger. Leave theroom at once as you came, and I will say no more."
The woman stood with her hand buried in her bosom, and the same deadlysmile on her thin lips.
"You will ruin no more lives as you ruined mine. You will wring no morehearts as you wrung mine. I will free the world of a poisonous thing.Take that, you hound, and that!--and that!--and that!"
She had drawn a little, gleaming revolver, and emptied barrel afterbarrel into Milverton's body, the muzzle within two feet of his shirtfront. He shrank away and then fell forward upon the table, coughingfuriously and clawing among the papers. Then he staggered to his feet,received another shot, and rolled upon the floor. "You've done me," hecried, and lay still. The woman looked at him intently and ground herheel into his upturned face. She looked again, but there was no soundor movement. I heard a sharp rustle, the night air blew into the heatedroom, and the avenger was gone.
No interference upon our part could have saved the man from his fate;but as the woman poured bullet after bullet into Milverton's shrinkingbody I was about to spring out, when I felt Holmes's cold, strong graspupon my wrist. I understood the whole argument of that firm, restraininggrip--that it was no affair of ours; that justice had overtaken avillain; that we had our own duties and our own objects which were notto be lost sight of. But hardly had the woman rushed from the room whenHolmes, with swift, silent steps, was over at the other door. He turnedthe key in the lock. At the same instant we heard voices in the houseand the sound of hurrying feet. The revolver shots had roused thehousehold. With perfect coolness Holmes slipped across to the safe,filled his two arms with bundles of letters, and poured them all intothe fire. Again and again he did it, until the safe was empty. Someoneturned the handle and beat upon the outside of the door. Holmes lookedswiftly round. The letter which had been the messenger of death forMilverton lay, all mottled with his blood, upon the table. Holmes tossedit in among the blazing papers. Then he drew the key from the outerdoor, passed through after me, and locked it on the outside. "This way,Watson," said he; "we can scale the garden wall in this direction."
I could not have believed that an alarm could have spread so swiftly.Looking back, the huge house was one blaze of light. The front doorwas open, and figures were rushing down the drive. The whole garden wasalive with people, and one fellow raised a view-halloa as we emergedfrom the veranda and followed hard at our heels. Holmes seemed to knowthe ground perfectly, and he threaded his way swiftly among a plantationof small trees, I close at his heels, and our foremost pursuer pantingbehind us. It was a six-foot wall which barred our path, but he sprangto the top and over. As I did the same I felt the hand of the man behindme grab at my ankle; but I kicked myself free and scrambled over aglass-strewn coping. I fell upon my face among some bushes; but Holmeshad me on my feet in an instant, and together we dashed away across thehuge expanse of Hampstead Heath. We had run two miles, I suppose, beforeHolmes at last halted and listened intently. All was absolute silencebehind us. We had shaken off our pursuers and were safe.
We had breakfasted and were smoking our morning pipe on the day afterthe remarkable experience which I have recorded when Mr. Lestrade, ofScotland Yard, very solemn and impressive, was ushered into our modestsitting-room.
"Good morning, Mr. Holmes," said he; "good morning. May I ask if you arevery busy just now?"
"Not too busy to listen to you."
"I thought that, perhaps, if you had nothing particular on hand, youmight care to assist us in a most remarkable case which occurred onlylast night at Hampstead."
"Dear me!" said Holmes. "What was that?"
"A murder--a most dramatic and remarkable murder. I know how keen youare upon these things, and I would take it as a great favour if youwould step down to Appledore Towers and give us the benefit of youradvice. It is no ordinary crime. We have had our eyes upon this Mr.Milverton for some time, and, between ourselves, he was a bit of avillain. He is known to have held papers which he used for blackmailingpurposes. These papers have all been burned by the murderers. No articleof value was taken, as it is probable that the criminals were men ofgood position, whose sole object was
to prevent social exposure."
"Criminals!" said Holmes. "Plural!"
"Yes, there were two of them. They were, as nearly as possible, capturedred-handed. We have their foot-marks, we have their description; it'sten to one that we trace them. The first fellow was a bit too active,but the second was caught by the under-gardener and only got away aftera struggle. He was a middle-sized, strongly-built man--square jaw, thickneck, moustache, a mask over his eyes."
"That's rather vague," said Sherlock Holmes. "Why, it might be adescription of Watson!"
"It's true," said the inspector, with much amusement. "It might be adescription of Watson."
"Well, I am afraid I can't help you, Lestrade," said Holmes. "The factis that I knew this fellow Milverton, that I considered him one of themost dangerous men in London, and that I think there are certain crimeswhich the law cannot touch, and which therefore, to some extent, justifyprivate revenge. No, it's no use arguing. I have made up my mind. Mysympathies are with the criminals rather than with the victim, and Iwill not handle this case."
Holmes had not said one word to me about the tragedy which we hadwitnessed, but I observed all the morning that he was in his mostthoughtful mood, and he gave me the impression, from his vacant eyes andhis abstracted manner, of a man who is striving to recall something tohis memory. We were in the middle of our lunch when he suddenly sprangto his feet. "By Jove, Watson; I've got it!" he cried. "Take your hat!Come with me!" He hurried at his top speed down Baker Street and alongOxford Street, until we had almost reached Regent Circus. Here on theleft hand there stands a shop window filled with photographs of thecelebrities and beauties of the day. Holmes's eyes fixed themselves uponone of them, and following his gaze I saw the picture of a regal andstately lady in Court dress, with a high diamond tiara upon her noblehead. I looked at that delicately-curved nose, at the marked eyebrows,at the straight mouth, and the strong little chin beneath it. Then Icaught my breath as I read the time-honoured title of the great noblemanand statesman whose wife she had been. My eyes met those of Holmes, andhe put his finger to his lips as we turned away from the window.
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THE STRAND MAGAZINE Vol. 27 MAY, 1904 THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES. By ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
The Return of Sherlock Holmes Page 7