While they are travelling to Milverton's house, Holmes tells Watson that the blackmailer keeps his papers in a safe in his study, which is attached to his bedroom. Holmes has found out from Agatha- his chatty "fiancee"- that Milverton is an extremely sound sleeper, so they don't have to worry about him waking up if they make a little bit of noise. Also, Milverton has a fierce dog which he lets out in the garden at night. Since Holmes has been courting Agatha, however, the maid has been locking the dog up so that her "beau" can visit unthreatened by the beast.
After sitting silently in thought for a while, Holmes gets up and goes to his bedroom, emerging in disguise as a young workman. He tells Watson that he'll be back later and leaves the house. Watson relates that, for a number of days, Holmes is coming and going at all hours in his workman garb, telling his friend only that he's been in Hampstead, where Milverton lives. One stormy night, Holmes returns to Baker Street and tells Watson to congratulate him: he's engaged... to Milverton's housemaid. Holmes explains to a deeply shocked Watson that he is masquerading as a plumber and has been walking out with the housemaid every evening, encouraging her to talk about her employer. He says he now knows the layout of Milverton's house like the back of his hand. Waltson remonstrates with Holmes, concerned about the feelings of the girl when the deception is revealed, but Holmes waves away his concern. He says that he has a rival for the maid's affections who will no doubt cut Holmes out the minute his back is turned. Watson is just recovering from this shock when Holmes gives him another one: he says that he plans to return to Milverton's house later that night and burgle it, stealing back the incriminating letters. He tells the aghast Watson that, while technically criminal, breaking into Milverton's house is morally justifiable. Watson mulls it over and agrees, so long as all they take is materials which the blackmailer is using for illegal purposes. Holmes says there is no "they"... he doesn't want Watson to be involved in criminal activity. Watson says that, if Holmes doesn't let him help, he'll march straight down to the police station and give the entire plan away. At first annoyed, Holmes then gives in, saying with amusement that, after sharing rooms for years, they may end up in the same cell together. Pulling out a kit of burgler's tools, he advises Watson to wear rubber soled shoes and bring a black silk mask. While they are travelling to Milverton's house, Holmes tells Watson that the blackmailer keeps his papers in a safe in his study, which is attached to his bedroom. Holmes has found out from Agatha- his chatty "fiancee"- that Milverton is an extremely sound sleeper, so they don't have to worry about him waking up if they make a little bit of noise. Also, Milverton has a fierce dog which he lets out in the garden at night. Since Holmes has been courting Agatha, however, the maid has been locking the dog up so that her "beau" can visit unthreatened by the beast. Donning their masks, the two men steal up to the darkened house and Holmes cuts a hole in a pane of glass so he can unlock one of the doors from the inside. They make their way silently through the house to Milverton's study; there is a fire in the fireplace by which they can see and Holmes lays out his tool kit, getting to work cracking the safe, which he soon does. Opening the safe, they find many packets of letters and other papers and Holmes begins to examine them, looking for Lady Eva's letters. Suddenly they hear footsteps coming toward the study and dart behind the heavy curtains to hide. Just as they conceal themselves, the electric light flicks on and Milverton enters the room. Obviously they were mistaken about the man being asleep in bed at this hour. Milverton sits in the chair behind his desk and starts reading some papers, showing no signs of retiring for the night. Holmes and Watson are stuck behind the curtains, striving to remain quiet and still. (To Be Continued...)
Comments
|
About MeI'm a lover of good books, classic movies, and well-written shows (as well as some pretty cheesy ones, to be completely honest). Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
Fun SitesOdds & Ends |