"What is true," Holmes answered "The money found Surely better to substantial sum which I offer than to ruin this woman's career, which can profit you in no way ? "

"There you make mistake, Mr Holmes An exposure would profit me indirectly to considerable extent eight or ten similar cases maturing circulated among them that I had made severe example Lady Eva find all much more open to reason my point ? "

Holmes sprang chair

"Get behind him, Watson ! Don't let him out ! Now, sir, the contents note-book "

Milverton had glided as quick as rat side room, and stood back against the wall

" Mr Holmes, Mr Holmes," , turning the front coat and exhibiting the butt of large revolver, which projected inside pocket " expecting you something original This so often, and what good has ever come ? I assure you that armed teeth, and perfectly prepared to use my weapons, knowing law will support me Besides, your supposition that bring the letters here in note-book is entirely mistaken do nothing so foolish And now, gentlemen, little interviews this evening, and long drive to Hampstead " He stepped forward, took up his coat, laid his hand revolver, and turned door I picked up chair, but Holmes shook his head and I laid it down again With bow, smile, and twinkle Milverton was room, and after we heard the slam carriage door rattle wheels as he drove away

Holmes sat motionless fire, his hands buried deep trouser pockets, his chin sunk upon his breast, his eyes fixed glowing embers For half an hour silent and still Then, gesture of man who has taken his decision, he sprang feet and passed into his bedroom little later rakish young workman with goatee beard and swagger lit his clay pipe lamp before descending street "I'll be back , Watson," said he, and vanished night I understood that he had opened his campaign against Charles Augustus Milverton; but I little dreamed the strange shape which that campaign was destined

For some days Holmes came and went at all hours attire, but beyond remark that his time was spent at Hampstead, and not wasted, nothing of what doing At last, however, on wild, tempestuous evening, wind screamed and rattled against the windows, he returned last expedition, and having removed his disguise he sat fire and laughed heartily silent inward fashion

" call me marrying man, Watson ? "

"No, indeed ! "

"You'll be interested to hear that engaged "

"My dear fellow ! I congrat ----"

"To Milverton's housemaid "

"Good heavens, Holmes ! "

" information, Watson "

"Surely you too far ? "

" most necessary step plumber with rising business, Escott by name walked out with her each evening, and talked with her Good heavens, those talks ! However, got all Milverton's house as the palm hand "

"But the girl, Holmes ? "

He shrugged his shoulders

" 't help it, my dear Watson play your cards as best when such stake is table However, I rejoice that hated rival certainly cut me out the instant that my back is turned What splendid night ! "

"You like this weather ? "

"It suits my purpose Watson, I mean to burgle Milverton's house to-night "

I had catching breath, and my skin went cold words, which were slowly uttered in tone of concentrated resolution As flash of lightning night shows up in an instant every detail of wide landscape, so at one glance I seemed every possible result an action -- the detection, the capture, the honoured career ending in irreparable failure and disgrace, my friend himself lying mercy odious Milverton

"For Heaven's sake, Holmes, think what doing," I cried

"My dear fellow, it every consideration never precipitate in my actions, nor would I adopt so energetic and indeed so dangerous course if were possible look matter clearly and fairly I suppose that admit action is morally justifiable, though technically criminal To burgle his house is no more than to forcibly take his pocket-book -- an action were prepared to aid me "

I turned it over in my mind

"Yes," ; " morally justifiable as our object is no articles save those which are used for an illegal purpose "

"Exactly Since morally justifiable only to consider the question of personal risk Surely gentleman lay much stress when lady is in most desperate need help ? "

" false position "

"Well, part risk no other possible way of regaining these letters The unfortunate lady the money, and none of her people in whom confide To-morrow last day of grace, and unless get the letters to-night this villain as good as his word and will bring about her ruin , therefore, abandon my client to her fate or play this last card Between ourselves, Watson, it's sporting duel between this fellow Milverton and me He had, saw, the best first exchanges; but my self-respect and my reputation are concerned to fight it to finish "

"Well, I don't like it; but I suppose it ," said I "When do we start ? "

" coming "

"Then going," said I "I my word of honour -- and I never broke it in my life -- that take cab straight police-station and away unless you let me share this adventure "

" 't help me "

"How that ? 't tell what may happen Anyway, my resolution is taken Other people beside self-respect and even reputations "

Holmes had looked annoyed, but his brow cleared, and he clapped me shoulder

"Well, well, my dear fellow, be it so shared the same room , and it amusing ended by sharing the same cell , Watson, I don't mind confessing that always had an idea that made highly efficient criminal chance lifetime direction See here ! " neat little leather case out of drawer, and opening it he exhibited number of shining instruments " first-class, up-to-date burgling kit, with nickel-plated jemmy, diamond-tipped glass-cutter, adaptable keys, and every modern improvement which the march of civilisation demands Here, too, is my dark lantern Everything is pair of silent shoes ? "

" rubber-soled tennis shoes "

"Excellent And mask ? "

" make couple out of black silk "

" that strong natural turn sort of thing ; masks some cold supper before we start now nine-thirty At eleven drive as far as Church Row quarter of an hour's walk from there to Appledore Towers at work before midnight Milverton is heavy sleeper and retires punctually at ten-thirty With any luck back here by two, Lady Eva's letters in my pocket "

Holmes and I put dress-clothes, appear two theatre-goers homeward bound In Oxford Street we picked up hansom and drove to an address in Hampstead Here we paid off our cab, and great-coats buttoned up, for bitterly cold wind seemed to blow through us, we walked along the edge Heath