"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?"