So the explanation unlocked door and nocturnal vigil of Milverton the gentle rustle of woman's dress I had closed the slit curtains as Milverton's face had turned direction, but now I ventured very carefully to open it once more He had resumed his seat, the cigar still projecting at an insolent angle corner mouth In front of him, full glare electric light, there stood tall, slim, dark woman, veil over her face, mantle drawn round her chin Her breath came quick and fast, and every inch lithe figure was quivering with strong emotion

"Well," said Milverton, "you've made me lose good night's rest, my dear you'll prove worth it You couldn't come time -- eh ? "

The woman shook her head

"Well, couldn't you couldn't Countess is hard mistress your chance level with her now Bless the girl, you shivering about ? That's right ! Pull yourself together ! Now, get down to business " note drawer desk "You say that five letters which compromise the Countess d'Albert them them so good It only remains to fix price want to inspect the letters, really good specimens --- Great heavens, you ? "

The woman without word had raised her veil and dropped the mantle from her chin dark, handsome, clear-cut face which confronted Milverton, face with curved nose, strong, dark eyebrows shading hard, glittering eyes, and straight, thin-lipped mouth set in dangerous smile

" I," she said; "the woman whose life ruined "

Milverton laughed, but fear vibrated voice "You were so very obstinate," said he "Why did you drive me to such extremities ? I assure you I wouldn't hurt fly own accord, but every man has his business, and I ? I put the price well within your means pay "

"So you sent the letters to my husband, and he -- the noblest gentleman that ever lived, man whose boots never worthy to lace -- he broke his gallant heart and died You remember that last night when door I begged and prayed you for mercy, and you laughed in my face trying to laugh now, only your coward heart cannot keep your lips from twitching ? Yes, you never thought me here again, but it night which taught me how meet you , and alone Well, Charles Milverton, what ? "

"Don't imagine that bully me," said he, rising feet " only to raise my voice, and call my servants and arrested But make allowance for your natural anger Leave the room at once came, say no more "

The woman stood with her hand buried in her bosom, same deadly smile on her thin lips

" ruin no more lives ruined mine wring no more hearts wrung mine free the world of poisonous thing Take that, you hound, ! -- ! -- ! "

She had drawn little, gleaming revolver, and emptied barrel after barrel into Milverton's body, the muzzle within two feet shirt front He shrank away and then fell forward table, coughing furiously and clawing papers Then he staggered feet, received another shot, and rolled floor "You've done me," he cried, and lay still The woman looked at him intently and ground her heel into his upturned face She looked again, but no sound or movement I heard sharp rustle, the night air blew heated room, avenger was gone

No interference upon our part saved the man fate; but woman poured bullet after bullet into Milverton's shrinking body about to spring out, when Holmes's cold, strong grasp upon my wrist I understood the whole argument firm, restraining grip -- no affair of ours; that justice had overtaken villain; that we had our own duties own objects which lost sight of But hardly had the woman rushed room when Holmes, with swift, silent steps, was over other door He turned the key lock same instant we heard voices house sound of hurrying feet The revolver shots had roused the household With perfect coolness Holmes slipped across safe, filled his two arms with bundles of letters, and poured them all fire Again and again it, until the safe was empty Someone turned the handle and beat outside door Holmes looked swiftly round The letter which the messenger of death for Milverton lay, all mottled blood, table Holmes tossed it in blazing papers Then he drew the key outer door, passed through after me, and locked it outside " , Watson," said he; " scale the garden wall direction "

have believed that an alarm spread so swiftly Looking back, the huge house was one blaze of light The front door was open, and figures were rushing down the drive The whole garden was alive with people, and one fellow raised view-halloa emerged veranda and followed hard at our heels Holmes seemed the ground perfectly, and he threaded his way swiftly among plantation of small trees, I close at his heels, foremost pursuer panting behind us six-foot wall which barred our path, but he sprang top and over As the same the hand man behind me grab at my ankle; but I kicked myself free and scrambled over glass-strewn coping I fell upon my face among some bushes; but Holmes had me on my feet in an instant, and together we dashed away across the huge expanse of Hampstead Heath We had run two miles, I suppose, before Holmes at last halted and listened intently All was absolute silence behind us We had shaken off our pursuers and were safe

We had breakfasted and were smoking our morning pipe day remarkable experience which recorded when Mr Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, very solemn and impressive, was ushered into our modest sitting-room

"Good morning, Mr Holmes," said he; "good morning May I ask very busy just now ? "

"Not too busy to listen "

" that, perhaps, had nothing particular on hand, care to assist us in most remarkable case which occurred only last night at Hampstead "

"Dear me ! " said Holmes "What ? "

"A murder -- most dramatic and remarkable murder how keen upon these things, and take it as great favour step down to Appledore Towers and the benefit of your advice no ordinary crime our eyes Mr Milverton for , and, between ourselves, bit of villain known held papers which he used for blackmailing purposes These papers have all been burned murderers No article of value was taken, probable criminals were men of good position, whose sole object was social exposure "

"Criminals ! " said Holmes "Plural ! "

"Yes, there were two They were, as nearly as possible, captured red-handed their foot-marks, their description; it's ten to one that we trace them The first fellow was bit too active, but the second was caught under-gardener and only got away after struggle middle-sized, strongly-built man -- square jaw, thick neck, moustache, mask over his eyes "

"That's rather vague," said Sherlock Holmes "Why, it description of Watson ! "

"It's true," said the inspector, with much amusement "It description of Watson "

"Well, afraid 't , Lestrade," said Holmes "The fact this fellow Milverton, that I considered him dangerous men in London, certain crimes which the law cannot touch, and which therefore, to some extent, justify private revenge No, it's no use arguing up my mind My sympathies are criminals rather than victim, and handle "

Holmes said one word tragedy which we had witnessed, but I observed all the morning that most thoughtful mood, and he the impression, vacant eyes abstracted manner, of man striving to recall something memory We were middle lunch when he suddenly sprang 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 along Oxford Street, until we had almost reached Regent Circus Here there stands shop window filled with photographs celebrities and beauties day Holmes's eyes fixed themselves upon , and following his gaze the picture of regal and stately lady in Court dress, with high diamond tiara upon her noble head I looked delicately-curved nose, marked eyebrows, straight mouth, strong little chin beneath it Then I caught my breath as the time-honoured title great nobleman and statesman whose wife she My eyes met those of Holmes, and he put his finger lips turned away window