Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 106 The Return (17)
The case I am about to tell you happened many years ago, and even so, I still feel a little shuddering when I talk about it.For a long period of time, it was completely impossible to state the facts related to the incident even in a very prudent and measured manner.The hero of the event is now free from the laws of the world, so that it can be told with reservations, without damaging anyone's reputation.This incident is the most bizarre case that I have ever encountered in my life.The reader will forgive me if I omit dates or some other circumstance which leads back to the truth of the matter.

It was a severe winter evening, we went out for a walk, and it was about six o'clock when we got home.He turned on the light and saw a business card on the table.After reading it, he snorted coldly and threw it into the waste paper box casually.I picked it up and saw it said:

Charles Augustus Milverton, Agent of Aberdota, Hampstead

I asked, "Who is he?"

"He is the worst man in London," replied Holmes.He sat down immediately, and stretched his legs out in front of the fire again.

"What's written on the back of the business card?"

I turned the back and saw: "Calling at six o'clock, CAM"

"Well, he is really coming. Watson, if you stood in front of a poisonous snake in the zoo, and saw it crawling and crawling, its terrifying eyes, and what's more terrifying, its disgusting flat face, you would definitely Dodge it with all my might. That's how I feel about that man. I've dealt with many murderers, and there's literally no worse man. But there's no way, I have to deal with him, he comes This is indeed my appointment."

"How is he?"

"Watson, don't worry, I'll tell you slowly. He can be regarded as a top fraudster. God has given him many chances, especially for women whose reputation and privacy are controlled by this man. Can help him. He's a man with a hidden smile and a heart of stone. He blackmails those poor women till they're drained. This guy has supernatural abilities, and in a respectable trade, would Better fortune. His method is: let everyone know that he is willing to pay high prices for letters from rich and powerful people. He does not only get what he wants from unreliable servants and maids. Stuff, and information from high-society rascals who often cheat the affection and trust of credulous women. He spends a lot, and I've heard he only pays for a note with two lines on it. Just gave a servant seven hundred pounds, and ruined that noble family. It seems that everything can reach Milverton's ears. Many people in this city will feel helpless when they hear the name. Sitting there without exception, no one knows one day he will find himself on his head. Since he has both money and skills, there is almost nothing he cannot do. He can keep a card for several years and wait until Only play when he can win the maximum bet. As I said, he is the worst person in this city. Not even a thug who takes out his wife can be compared with him. In order to continue in his already full pocket With money, he can torture people's souls in a methodical and deliberate way."

Rarely have I heard my friends judge someone with such strong emotions.

I said, "Then, this man should be brought to justice."

"That's legally true, but practically impossible. It doesn't do a woman any favors to sue him and get him in jail for a few months, only to be ruined when he gets out, So the victim is powerless to fight back. If an innocent person was blackmailed by him, I would definitely arrest him, but he is very cunning. No, we have to find a way to hit him."

"Why did he come here?"

"Because a client has entrusted me with her unfortunate case. This person is the noble lady Eva Blackwell, the most beautiful lady who just debuted in society last season. In two weeks she will be with De The Earl of Wincow is married. The bastard has found some indiscreet letters from her to a young poor country gentleman, nothing bad at all, but they will ruin her marriage. If they are not given to him For a large sum of money, he would give the letter to his future husband. I was entrusted to see the scoundrel, and tried to keep the price down."

At this time, there was the sound of horseshoes and wheels on the street.I looked out of the window and saw a hansom parked downstairs.It was richly decorated, and the bright lights of the carriage shone on the smooth haunches of the chestnut horses.The servant opened the door, and a short, stocky man in a rough black curly sheepskin coat got out of the carriage.After a while he entered the house.

This person is probably about 50 years old, with a big head, looks very shrewd, a big round face, rough skin and thick flesh, with a sneer that makes people look tired.The eyes are gray, but still relatively light, a little short-sighted, wearing a pair of shiny gold spectacles.It seems that some of the protagonists of Pickwick, the British writer Dickens's novel "The Pickwick Papers", can be found on the face, and he is generous.The kindness of the gentleman, with a smirk on his face, and a sharp and impatient cold light in his eyes.His voice sounded more gentle and stable. He stretched out his fat and small hands while walking, and kept saying that he regretted not seeing us the first time he came.My friend ignored the gentleman's outstretched hand and looked at him coldly.Milverton grinned, shrugged and took off his coat, carefully folded it on the back of the chair, and sat down.

Pointing to where I was sitting, he asked, "Who is this gentleman? Is it okay to speak like this?"

"Dr. Watson is my friend and colleague."

"Very well, Mr. Holmes. I am asking this question for your client's sake. The matter is very curious."

"Doctor Watson is well aware of the matter."

"Then let's talk. You are Ms. Eva's agent. Has she told you that she has accepted my terms?"

"What conditions?"

"Seven thousand pounds."

"Is this condition negotiable?"

"My dear sir, I think haggling is very bad. After all, if No. 14 doesn't pay, No. 18 can't have a wedding."

His smile was really unbearable, with a smug look on his face.

Holmes thought for a while and said: "Do you think this matter is really irreversible? I understand the actual content of these letters. My client, Miss Eva, will definitely do as I suggest. I will let her make this matter clear." Tell her husband the truth, I believe he will be tolerant."

Milverton grinned.

"It is evident," he said, "that you know nothing of the Count."

Judging from the bewildered expression of Holmes, I understand that he really doesn't know him.

"Are there any great harms in these letters?" he asked.

Milverton replied: "The harm is great, great. Her letters are very lovely, but I swear the Earl will never approve of them. Since you and I disagree, there is really no need to discuss it." It's nothing more than a bargain, and if you don't think it's in your client's interest to deliver these letters to the earl, you may do so, and perhaps it would be foolish to pay a lot of money to buy them back." He got up. Grab his black curly sheepskin coat and leave.

Holmes was ashamed by his anger.

He said: "Wait a minute, there is no need to go away like this, this issue is very delicate, we should try our best to avoid rumors that should not be there."

Milverton sat down again.

He whispered, "As I thought, there's nothing you can do about it."

Holmes said: "But Miss Eva is not very rich. I guarantee that she can go bankrupt with only two thousand pounds. She really can't pay the amount you want. So I would like you to lower your request and follow my advice. Return the letter with the amount mentioned, and I assure you that she really can only get so much money."

Milverton wanted to laugh but couldn't help it.He grinned and winked at us with his gray eyes.

He said: "I know her financial situation very well. But you have to know that when a woman gets married, her relatives and friends are the best time to contribute. They may be hesitant to buy a decent gift. However, I would like You swear this stack of letters will give them more pleasure than all the banquets in London."

"That is simply impossible," said Holmes.

Milverton took out a thick volume, and exclaimed: "Hey, what a misfortune! Look here! If these ladies don't make an effort, I'll just tell them they're stupid." He produced a note, The family coat of arms was stamped on the envelope, "Ah! it is, but I should not have said the name before tomorrow morning. But then the letter must have fallen into the hands of this lady's husband, because she did not Ken exchanged her diamond jewels with me. It's a real pity! Do you remember the engagement of Noble Lady Maltz to Lieutenant Dorking? Two days before the wedding, the "Morning Paper" published the news that the wedding was called off The reason? You may not believe it, but if she gave me twelve hundred pounds, the matter would be settled easily. Isn't it a pity? It never occurred to me that you are also an unreasonable person who would ignore you The future and reputation of the parties involved, and the price is discussed here. Mr. Holmes, you have really surprised me."

"What I have told you is the truth," said Holmes. "She really has no way of getting the money. What good will it do you to ruin her life's happiness? Accept what I call a considerable sum of money. Isn't it good?"

"You are quite mistaken, Mr. Holmes. If word of this matter spreads, it will bring me great benefit indirectly. I still have eight or nine matters under my staff that have to be dealt with. If these people know If I charge a high price to your clients, they will be more sensible. Do you understand me?"

Holmes jumped up from his chair in a rage.

"Get behind him, Watson. Don't let him out! Sir, let us first see what the hell is in your book!"

Milverton was frightened this time, and slid like a mouse into the corner of the room, leaning his back against the wall.

Then he turned up the front of his coat, revealing the butt of a pistol, and said: "Mr. Holmes, Mr. Holmes, I have expected you to do something extraordinary. I have often encountered threats like this, but it has nothing at all." Benefits. To tell you the truth, I am already fully armed. Since the law allows self-defense in some special cases, I have prepared a gun in case of being attacked. Also, you are too naive, I really will Putting all the letters in the notebook? You are so wrong, there is no way I would do such a stupid thing. Excuse me, gentlemen, I have to see other people tonight, to Hampstead, very Far away." As he spoke, he stepped forward to pick up his coat, still resting his hand on the gun, turned around and walked towards the gate.I picked up a chair and was about to throw it at him, but Holmes shook his head and I put it down again.The villain bowed with a smile and walked out of the house.After a while, we heard the slamming of doors and the rattling of wheels, and the carriage drove away.

Holmes sat by the fire, quite still.With his hands deep in his trouser pockets, his chin resting on his chest, he stared blankly at the embers for half an hour.Then he stood up as if he had an idea, and walked into the bedroom.After a while, a young worker with a goatee and a smug look came out.He lit his clay pipe, said to me, "I'll be back in a while, Watson," and disappeared into the dark night.I'm sure he must have figured out how to deal with that villain.But I really didn't expect that this fight would be so special.

In those days Holmes was in and out of Hampstead in this attire.Needless to say, his time was spent in Hampstead, and it worked out really well, but I don't know anything about what he's actually doing.Until later, on a stormy night, when the wind was blowing and the rain was pattering on the window, he came back.He was back to normal, sitting in front of the fire, and smiling triumphantly in his restrained silent way.

"Watson, you don't think I'm getting married?"

"Will not."

"I tell you, my dear friend, that you should be glad for me that I am engaged."

"Dear friend, I wish—"

"Me and Milverton's maid."

"Ah, Holmes! How can you do that?"

"Watson, I need information urgently."

"Have you gone too far?"

"This step was very necessary. I dressed up as a plumber named Escot and I had a great idea. I asked her out every night and talked to her endlessly. God, I couldn't I don't know what was discussed with her. But I know all I want. I know Milverton as well as I know."

"But, Holmes, what about the girl?"

He shrugged.said:
"My dear Watson, I can think of no other way but to do this. The stakes are on the table, and you have to play as best you can. I am very fortunate that I have a good opponent in love, and I will take it at once. He's out of the game. What a beautiful day tonight!"

"Do you like this weather too?"

"It suits my purpose. Watson, I intend to go to the Milvertons' house to-night."

He said this in a very firm tone. After hearing this, my whole body trembled and my breathing became short of breath.Like lightning in the dark, lighting up all the corners of the field for a while, I can see that this action is likely to cause irreparable consequences-finding, arrest, and a respected career ending in irreparable failure and humiliation.My friend could be at the mercy of that villain.

I yelled, "For God's sake, think about this!"

"Dear friend, I've thought it over. I've always done things carefully, and I may be a bit reckless this time, but there's really no other way. I don't think it's morally wrong to do it, even though it might be legally criminal. I can’t think about it so much now, the reason I broke into his house was to take the book away—you’ll agree with taking the book.”

I weighed the matter in my mind.

I said, "Yes, as long as our purpose is to remove items that are used for illegal purposes, our actions are ethical."

"If it's moral, then I have to think about our personal safety. If that lady desperately needs our assistance, safety shouldn't be too much of a concern for people like us."

"You're likely to be misunderstood."

"It's a risk, but there's nothing else to do to get the letters back. The poor lady has neither money nor friends to trust. Tomorrow is the deadline, unless we succeed in getting the letters tonight, Otherwise, the bastard will be able to do what he says, and it will ruin her reputation. This is the only way to save my client from further suffering. Watson, all I can tell you is, This time it's a life-and-death duel between me and him, either you die or I die. You have seen that he won the first round, but my self-esteem and honor require me to fight him to the end."

I said, "I don't want to do it, but I think that's the way to go. When shall we start?"

"You don't have to go."

I said, "Unless you don't go, I must go, and I never regret that. If you won't let me go with you on your adventure, I'll go to the police and denounce you."

"You can't help me at all."

"How do you know? No one can tell what will happen in the future. Anyway, I must go. Others besides you have self-respect and honor."

Holmes was a little impatient, but he frowned and patted me on the shoulder.

"Well, my dear Watson, let it be so. We have lived together for many years, and if we are lucky enough to die on the same day, that will be very well. Watson, I can tell you frankly that I I just had an idea to commit a very efficient crime. From this point of view, this is a pretty good opportunity. Look!" He took out a clean leather case from the drawer, which contained many shiny tools . "It's the best tool for burglary. Nickel-plated crowbar, diamond glass knife, skeleton key, etc., for every situation, and there's a dark light, everything. You have Shoes that make no noise when you walk?"

"I have tennis shoes with rubber soles."

"Great! Is there a mask or something?"

"I can improvise two out of black silk."

"I think you have a talent for this kind of thing, great, you make a mask. Before we go, we'd better have something to eat, it's 09:30, we have to catch up before eleven o'clock Go to the Cherchi residential area, and walk about 15 minutes to reach the Aberdo Tower, and we can work in the middle of the night. Anyway, we must put Miss Eva’s letter in our pockets before two o’clock.”

Holmes and I were in our evening clothes, and we were on their way home like two people who have just finished a theatre.We took a hansom at Oxford Street to Hampstead, and when we got down there and paid, we hurriedly buttoned up our coats, for it was cold and the wind was blowing bitterly.We walked along the edge of the wasteland.

"Be very careful," said Holmes. "The letters were locked in a safe in the study, behind which his bedroom was situated. But, like all strong men who take care of themselves, he was usually a heavy sleeper. Agatha, my fiancée, used to tell jokes about how deeply his master was in a deep sleep and never woke up. He had a secretary who was so loyal that he never left his study during the day, That's why we have a nocturnal operation. They have a dog at home, very vicious and fierce, who is always walking around in the garden. The last few times I have been with her late, she put Dog locked up so I can get out quickly. This is the house, turn right from the gate through the laurel trees. Let's put on our masks right here! Look, it's great, not a single window is lit lamp."

(End of this chapter)