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The Return of Sherlock Holmes #7
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
It is years since the incidents of which I speak took place, and yet it is with diffidence that I allude to them. For a long time, even with the utmost discretion and reticence, it would have been impossible to make the facts public, but now the principal person concerned is beyond the reach of human law, and with due suppression the story may be told in such fashion as to injure no one. It records an absolutely unique experience in the career both of Mr. Sherlock Holmes and of myself. The reader will excuse me if I conceal the date or any other fact by which he might trace the actual occurrence.
43 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1904
14 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
15.7k books24.2k followersSir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
November 6, 2015
In which the villain Charles Augustus Milverton is as dangerous as Prof. Moriarty; and is completely oblivious of fair play.
January 27, 2019
This is a thrilling tale of wits between Sherlock Holmes and a master blackmailer formerly known as Charles Augustus Milverton. Considering that most of Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories contain detective work, this one has no detecting per se… It is still an amazing story, and definitely a must-read for fans of Sherlock.
October 22, 2023
Este caso fue bastante diferente a los otros porque involucra una vendetta contra un gran criminal. De hecho, me gustó mucho el final porque una de las damas a las que había estado chantajeando el tipo toma la justicia por sus propias manos y todo se describió de una forma impresionante. También me gustó que Sherlock se negara a ayudar a Scotland Yard con el caso, pues sabía que estaba involucrado un criminal que se merecía morir, no estar tras las rejas.
October 17, 2021
همیشه بین شرلوک و پوآرو، انتخابم شرلوک بوده و اینکه مشخصاً شرلوک مشهورترین کارگاه تمام دورانه.
چارلز آگوستوس میلورتون یکی از بهترین مینی ویلن‌هایی شرلوک هلمزه، هم به اندازه کافی باهوشه، هم اینکه شرلوک هلمز به شکل عجیبی نسبت بهش حساسیت داره.
داستان کتاب هم پیچیدگی زیادی نداره، همون‌طور که از یک اثر معمایی-کاراگاهی کلاسیک انتظار می‌ره.
در نهایت بگم که لذت بردم.
چارلز آگوستوس میلورتون یکی از بهترین مینی ویلن‌هایی شرلوک هلمزه، هم به اندازه کافی باهوشه، هم اینکه شرلوک هلمز به شکل عجیبی نسبت بهش حساسیت داره.
داستان کتاب هم پیچیدگی زیادی نداره، همون‌طور که از یک اثر معمایی-کاراگاهی کلاسیک انتظار می‌ره.
در نهایت بگم که لذت بردم.
May 8, 2024
5 stars. This is a FASCINATING story. Milverton is the most horrid of the villains from the Sherlockian canon—just so utterly cruel, calculating, merciless—but he was an epic antagonist for Holmes. Seeing Holmes & Watson as burglars was absolutely crazy and cool all at once. The ending was totally shocking and sad, yet somehow hard to condemn… and the mysterious personage absolutely intriguing.
Content: Drinking, smoking, murder.
A Favourite Quote: “Since it is morally justifiable, I have only to consider the question of personal risk. Surely a gentleman should not lay much stress upon this, when a lady is in most desperate need of his help?”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “You know, Watson, I don’t mind confessing to you that I have always had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal. This is the chance of my lifetime in that direction…. This is a 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 civilization demands…. Have you a pair of silent shoes?”
“I have rubber-soled tennis shoes.”
“Excellent! And a mask?”
“I can make a couple out of black silk.”
“I can see that you have a strong, natural turn for this sort of thing.”
Content: Drinking, smoking, murder.
A Favourite Quote: “Since it is morally justifiable, I have only to consider the question of personal risk. Surely a gentleman should not lay much stress upon this, when a lady is in most desperate need of his help?”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “You know, Watson, I don’t mind confessing to you that I have always had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal. This is the chance of my lifetime in that direction…. This is a 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 civilization demands…. Have you a pair of silent shoes?”
“I have rubber-soled tennis shoes.”
“Excellent! And a mask?”
“I can make a couple out of black silk.”
“I can see that you have a strong, natural turn for this sort of thing.”
October 28, 2020
Blackmail, scandal, vigilante justice, murder, and secrets. . . some of the myriad of components of this tale. A lady's honour is at stake. But the great detective seems helpless to tackle a serial blackmailer - 'the worst man in London.'
A unique story which sees Sherlock and Watson performing a heist, witnessing a killing and ending up as suspects in Lestrade's investigation. All good stuff. Plus the resolution is morally ambiguous too. A stand out Holmes tale; recommended.
A unique story which sees Sherlock and Watson performing a heist, witnessing a killing and ending up as suspects in Lestrade's investigation. All good stuff. Plus the resolution is morally ambiguous too. A stand out Holmes tale; recommended.
April 27, 2025
Surprisingly, Holmes is not solving a mystery or murder. He is protecting a client from a blackmailer. The story shows the limits of the law and also the lengths to which Holmes will go to protect the innocent. It’s an interesting example of Holmes acting like a vigilante.
June 4, 2023
4 Stars. More of an adventure than a mystery. Several of the 50+ short stories about Sherlock Holmes and his faithful assistant Dr. Watson fit into that category. It's a good one and again highlights Doyle's enjoyable writing style. In the first page we are introduced to the protagonist - Charles Milverton, London's "king of all the blackmailers." Holmes adds, "With a smiling face and a heart of marble, he will squeeze and squeeze until he has drained [his victims] dry." In the second page, we meet his latest prey, the young and beautiful Lady Eva Blackwell who is to be married in a few weeks to the Earl of Dovercourt. Apparently she wrote an indiscreet letter or two to a young man before she met the Earl. Tsk, tsk. Many things were different 125 years ago and not all of them praiseworthy. Milverton has copies, and wants thousands of pounds for their return. She hasn't the funds and wisely consults Holmes. Milverton won't budge when Holmes and Watson try to negotiate; he explains that it's not good for business with his other 'clients.' Then our two detectives do the unexpected. And in the process, Holmes gets engaged. Believe it. (June 2023)
July 28, 2024
Excellent.
This was excellent, but not going to review it.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1905] [30p] [Crime] [4.5] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes <--
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
Excelente.
Esto estuvo excelente, pero no voy a reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1905] [30p] [Crimen] [4.5] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
This was excellent, but not going to review it.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1905] [30p] [Crime] [4.5] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes <--
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes
-----------------------------------------------
Excelente.
Esto estuvo excelente, pero no voy a reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1905] [30p] [Crimen] [4.5] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
November 24, 2022
من صوتیش رو گوش دادم که اینقدر خوب شبیه‌سازی شده بود انگار داشتم نمایشنامه‌ای از رادیو می‌شنیدم.
اما داستانش ساده بود و پیچیدگی لازم رو نداشت.
در کل خوب بود.
اما داستانش ساده بود و پیچیدگی لازم رو نداشت.
در کل خوب بود.
May 3, 2019
3.5/5
August 15, 2025
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton - The Return of Sherlock Holmes #7
Arthur Conan Doyle
Rating 5/5 (Holmes will always be 5 for me)
A sad story of blackmail and ruined life. There is no mystery here and the villain is mentioned in the title of the story. Milverton is a bile and abominable fellow who shows no mercy on his preys- mostly upper-class, rich women. In today’s times his methods will be obsolete and grounds of blackmail will be useless. But those were different times.
Holmes and Watson had nothing much to do in the story and it can stand on its own without them too. They were more of passive observers and narrators like Watson then active participants.
However, the end to the story is very satisfying.
Recommendation
For Holmes fans – a must read. Others may also read. It is and average story of Doyle.
Arthur Conan Doyle
Rating 5/5 (Holmes will always be 5 for me)
A sad story of blackmail and ruined life. There is no mystery here and the villain is mentioned in the title of the story. Milverton is a bile and abominable fellow who shows no mercy on his preys- mostly upper-class, rich women. In today’s times his methods will be obsolete and grounds of blackmail will be useless. But those were different times.
Holmes and Watson had nothing much to do in the story and it can stand on its own without them too. They were more of passive observers and narrators like Watson then active participants.
However, the end to the story is very satisfying.
Recommendation
For Holmes fans – a must read. Others may also read. It is and average story of Doyle.
October 9, 2021
Five stars for the lady who solved the case before Sherlock did! Hats off to you, ma'am!
(Hang on, was she Queen Victoria?)
(Hang on, was she Queen Victoria?)
Read
January 17, 2022maybe the adventure is the friends we made---- no, actually, I can't do this anymore
November 26, 2024
A simple but rather good story
June 7, 2023
قضية ابتزاز، شيرلوك وواطسون المجرمين لأول مرة وجريمة قتل فجأة تقطع الأحداث. قصة أحداثها ممتعة والحس الساخر فيها لذيذ.
December 23, 2014
Read originally in May of 2010. Decided to reread before watching season three of BBC Sherlock which features the master blackmailer. The short story puts forth some interesting ideas on the ethics of the grey areas of the law. I think the break-in may have been morally justifiable but certainly not the murder, however badly everyone (myself included) wanted that man to die. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay declares The Lord."
However, the case is still one of my favorites because (1 it involves a villain that actually turns the stomach of Mr. Sherlock Holmes (2 it involves Holmes getting engaged--albeit temporarily (3 it's just plain thrilling.
My favorite paragraph was this:
"...I understood the joy which it gave him to be confronted with this green and gold monster [the safe], the dragon which held in its maw the reputations of many fair ladies."
It was a chivalrous mission and the imagery of the safe as a dragon "holding in its maw the reputations of many fair ladies" captured this perfectly.
However, the case is still one of my favorites because (1 it involves a villain that actually turns the stomach of Mr. Sherlock Holmes (2 it involves Holmes getting engaged--albeit temporarily (3 it's just plain thrilling.
My favorite paragraph was this:
"...I understood the joy which it gave him to be confronted with this green and gold monster [the safe], the dragon which held in its maw the reputations of many fair ladies."
It was a chivalrous mission and the imagery of the safe as a dragon "holding in its maw the reputations of many fair ladies" captured this perfectly.
January 16, 2014
From BBC radio 4 Extra - The Return of Sherlock Holmes:
To trap an evil blackmailer, the Baker Street sleuth dons a cunning disguise. Stars Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
To trap an evil blackmailer, the Baker Street sleuth dons a cunning disguise. Stars Clive Merrison and Michael Williams.
February 3, 2021
“Well, well, my dear fellow, be it so. We have shared the same room for some years, and it would be amusing if we ended by sharing the same cell. You know, Watson, I don’t mind confessing to you that I have always had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal. This is the chance of my lifetime in that direction.” - S. Holmes to J. Watson
Holmes really doesn’t like Milverton.
We start with a long and very detailed diatribe from Holmes on his dislike of Milverton, a very wealthy and mean-spirited man who just happens to be blackmailing a young woman with some risqué letters. Said man arrives and a conversation is had. A gun is drawn. Watson picks up a chair. Things finally settle down, Milverton leaves and Watson waits patiently while Holmes comes up with an alternative plan.
Watson threatens Holmes into submitting to his demands.
Days pass and Holmes informs Watson that he’s engaged and that they’ll be breaking and entering that evening. Watson panics but Holmes talks him into it. So the boys bundle up, make black masks from silk, and sneak into Milverton’s home. Reaching the study, Holmes gets a bad feeling. They hide behind the curtains.
From here they watch as Milverton has a meeting with a woman who’s selling information to him. But, by his surprise, the woman raises her veil and reveals herself to be the very woman whose life he's destroyed. She tells him her fiancé has died of heartbreak and that she’s here for revenge. She pulls a gun and shoots him.
The woman leaves and Holmes springs out, burning all the letters from the safe in the fireplace. He then drags Watson from the study where they run through the grounds and scale a wall, escaping into the night.
Watson is nearly caught while attempting to flee the scene.
The next morning, Lestrade attempts to get Holmes’s help on the case. He describes one of the criminals, which Holmes calls out to be too vague because it too closely resembles Watson. Holmes then offhandedly denies helping, saying that there are “some crimes that the law cannot touch.”
This is one of the most fun stories Doyle has written. It’s filled with action, adventure, drama, and murder (obviously) and now is one of my favorites. A must read.
Holmes really doesn’t like Milverton.
We start with a long and very detailed diatribe from Holmes on his dislike of Milverton, a very wealthy and mean-spirited man who just happens to be blackmailing a young woman with some risqué letters. Said man arrives and a conversation is had. A gun is drawn. Watson picks up a chair. Things finally settle down, Milverton leaves and Watson waits patiently while Holmes comes up with an alternative plan.
Watson threatens Holmes into submitting to his demands.
Days pass and Holmes informs Watson that he’s engaged and that they’ll be breaking and entering that evening. Watson panics but Holmes talks him into it. So the boys bundle up, make black masks from silk, and sneak into Milverton’s home. Reaching the study, Holmes gets a bad feeling. They hide behind the curtains.
From here they watch as Milverton has a meeting with a woman who’s selling information to him. But, by his surprise, the woman raises her veil and reveals herself to be the very woman whose life he's destroyed. She tells him her fiancé has died of heartbreak and that she’s here for revenge. She pulls a gun and shoots him.
The woman leaves and Holmes springs out, burning all the letters from the safe in the fireplace. He then drags Watson from the study where they run through the grounds and scale a wall, escaping into the night.
Watson is nearly caught while attempting to flee the scene.
The next morning, Lestrade attempts to get Holmes’s help on the case. He describes one of the criminals, which Holmes calls out to be too vague because it too closely resembles Watson. Holmes then offhandedly denies helping, saying that there are “some crimes that the law cannot touch.”
This is one of the most fun stories Doyle has written. It’s filled with action, adventure, drama, and murder (obviously) and now is one of my favorites. A must read.
August 13, 2025
اسم الكتاب: مغامرة تشارلز أوغستس ميلفيرتون- The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
اسم الكاتب: آرثر كونان دويل – Arthur Conan Doyle
عدد الصفحات: 24 صفحة
~ مختصر القصة،،
بعد عودة هولمز و د.واتسوم من أحد الجولات المسائية يجد على المضدة بطاقة من تشارلز أوغستس يخبره فيها بأنه آت لزيارته في الساعة السادسة والنصف، فيخبر هولمز د.واتسون عنه بلهجة حادة نادرا ما سمعها الأخير بها!
تشارلز ملك المُبتزين خبيثٌ مثل الشيطان، فمن تقع أسرارهم في يده يبتزهُم حتى يستنزفهم تماماً وهو على استعداد كامل لدفع مبالغ طائلة للخدم مقابل خطابات تفضح ذَوي الثروة، وقد بلغ من الثراء والخبث بحيث لا يكتفي بما يسد رمقه، فهو لا يضرب بالهراووة في لحظة الغضب إنما يُعذب الأرواح و يعتصر الأعصاب بمنهجية وعلى مهل حتى يزيد من ثروته المكدسة بالفعل، وهو آت إليهما لأن لديه خطابات حمقاء لعَميلة بارزة وهي الليدي إيفا براكويل التي من المقرر أن تٌزف إلى إيرل دوفركورت قريباً كتبتها لشاب مُفلس و كفيلة بإفساد الزفاف إذا أرسلها للإيرل إن لم يُدفع له مبلغ طائل، ولقد كُلّف هولمز بمقابلته للوصول مه إلى أفضل إتفاق ممكن.
عند وصول تشارلز يبدأ هولمز بمحاولة اقناع تشارلز بأخذ المبلغ المعقول بدلاً من تدمير حياتها و كونها لا تملك هذا المال، ليرد عليه الأخير بأن الفضيحة مناسبة له لأن لديه 8 او 10 قضايا مشابهه قيد التفاوض فإن شاع بينهم بأنه جعل الليدي ايفا عبرة لمن يعتبر سيكونون على استعداد للتفاهم! ويغادر!
يفكر هولمز بحيلة أخرى للإيقاع بتشارلز، يتنكر في هيئة السباك إسكوت ويتعرف على خادمة المنزل ميلفيرتون وفي هذا الجو العاصف فهو ينوي السطو على المنزل لأخذ مذكرة الجيب التي تحتوي على الخطابات السيدة سيئة الحظ وهنا يخبره د.واتسون بأنه سيأخذ عربة اجرة و سيشي بهولمز إن رفض أخذه معه!
يتوجهان لمنزل تشارلز ويندسان فيه كاللصوص ووعند فتح الخزنة يسمعان جلبة فيهرعان بالإختباء خلف الستارة، يدخل تشارلز للغرفة فيبدأ بمراجعة الأوراق بعدها تأتي سيدة لزيارته كان قد ابتزها سابقاً ومات زوجها بسبب الصدمة، ويحدث جدال بينهما فيطلب منها تشارلز على إثرها بمغادرة الغرفة ولكن السيدة اخرجت مسدساً وتطلق عليه 3 طلقات وهي تردد بأنه لن يدمر حياة الآخرين كما دمر حياتها فيقع ميتاً وعندما تتأكد من موته تختفي المنتقمة.
يتوجه هولمز بعد مغادرتها للخزينة مباشرة ويمرمي بجميع محتواياتها من الخطابات في النيران المدفأة ويغادران بعدها المنزل بعد أن ايقظ صوت الرصاص خدم المنزل.
في اليوم التالي يأتي ليستراد ليطلب مساعدة هولمز في جريمة قتل شديدة الإثارة والغرابة وقعت الليلة الماضية في هامبستيد!
اسم الكاتب: آرثر كونان دويل – Arthur Conan Doyle
عدد الصفحات: 24 صفحة
~ مختصر القصة،،
بعد عودة هولمز و د.واتسوم من أحد الجولات المسائية يجد على المضدة بطاقة من تشارلز أوغستس يخبره فيها بأنه آت لزيارته في الساعة السادسة والنصف، فيخبر هولمز د.واتسون عنه بلهجة حادة نادرا ما سمعها الأخير بها!
تشارلز ملك المُبتزين خبيثٌ مثل الشيطان، فمن تقع أسرارهم في يده يبتزهُم حتى يستنزفهم تماماً وهو على استعداد كامل لدفع مبالغ طائلة للخدم مقابل خطابات تفضح ذَوي الثروة، وقد بلغ من الثراء والخبث بحيث لا يكتفي بما يسد رمقه، فهو لا يضرب بالهراووة في لحظة الغضب إنما يُعذب الأرواح و يعتصر الأعصاب بمنهجية وعلى مهل حتى يزيد من ثروته المكدسة بالفعل، وهو آت إليهما لأن لديه خطابات حمقاء لعَميلة بارزة وهي الليدي إيفا براكويل التي من المقرر أن تٌزف إلى إيرل دوفركورت قريباً كتبتها لشاب مُفلس و كفيلة بإفساد الزفاف إذا أرسلها للإيرل إن لم يُدفع له مبلغ طائل، ولقد كُلّف هولمز بمقابلته للوصول مه إلى أفضل إتفاق ممكن.
عند وصول تشارلز يبدأ هولمز بمحاولة اقناع تشارلز بأخذ المبلغ المعقول بدلاً من تدمير حياتها و كونها لا تملك هذا المال، ليرد عليه الأخير بأن الفضيحة مناسبة له لأن لديه 8 او 10 قضايا مشابهه قيد التفاوض فإن شاع بينهم بأنه جعل الليدي ايفا عبرة لمن يعتبر سيكونون على استعداد للتفاهم! ويغادر!
يفكر هولمز بحيلة أخرى للإيقاع بتشارلز، يتنكر في هيئة السباك إسكوت ويتعرف على خادمة المنزل ميلفيرتون وفي هذا الجو العاصف فهو ينوي السطو على المنزل لأخذ مذكرة الجيب التي تحتوي على الخطابات السيدة سيئة الحظ وهنا يخبره د.واتسون بأنه سيأخذ عربة اجرة و سيشي بهولمز إن رفض أخذه معه!
يتوجهان لمنزل تشارلز ويندسان فيه كاللصوص ووعند فتح الخزنة يسمعان جلبة فيهرعان بالإختباء خلف الستارة، يدخل تشارلز للغرفة فيبدأ بمراجعة الأوراق بعدها تأتي سيدة لزيارته كان قد ابتزها سابقاً ومات زوجها بسبب الصدمة، ويحدث جدال بينهما فيطلب منها تشارلز على إثرها بمغادرة الغرفة ولكن السيدة اخرجت مسدساً وتطلق عليه 3 طلقات وهي تردد بأنه لن يدمر حياة الآخرين كما دمر حياتها فيقع ميتاً وعندما تتأكد من موته تختفي المنتقمة.
يتوجه هولمز بعد مغادرتها للخزينة مباشرة ويمرمي بجميع محتواياتها من الخطابات في النيران المدفأة ويغادران بعدها المنزل بعد أن ايقظ صوت الرصاص خدم المنزل.
في اليوم التالي يأتي ليستراد ليطلب مساعدة هولمز في جريمة قتل شديدة الإثارة والغرابة وقعت الليلة الماضية في هامبستيد!
July 23, 2022
I could talk for a long time about why this will probably always win as my favourite Holmes story, but in truth it comes down to how blatant the gay-coding is here.
Holmes decides he knows better than the law about what is moral, and takes it into his own hands to burgle the notorious blackmailer, Charles Augustus Milverton. To understand this — beyond the inherent gay implications of Holmes saying the law isn’t always right — we need to know about the Blackmailer’s Charter.
This was the anti-gay law in England between 1885 and 1967. While its official name was the Criminal Law Amendment Act, it was known both as the Labouchere Amendment and as the Blackmailer’s Charter. In effect, it massively lessened the amount of proof needed for a person to be convicted of “gross indecency” between men, which usually meant sodomy. Letters would often suffice.
Ergo, gay men became terrified of getting blackmailed as it was one of the easiest and most effective ways to get to them. Blackmail was what was used against gay men (lesbianism was never technically illegal in England).
Holmes’s resentment of blackmailers, therefore, speaks volumes about his own potential homosexuality.
Couple this with him holding Watson’s hand multiple times during the story, “stealing his hand into” it at one point when Watson is scared, and their running away from the police together… Doyle knew what he was doing.
Holmes decides he knows better than the law about what is moral, and takes it into his own hands to burgle the notorious blackmailer, Charles Augustus Milverton. To understand this — beyond the inherent gay implications of Holmes saying the law isn’t always right — we need to know about the Blackmailer’s Charter.
This was the anti-gay law in England between 1885 and 1967. While its official name was the Criminal Law Amendment Act, it was known both as the Labouchere Amendment and as the Blackmailer’s Charter. In effect, it massively lessened the amount of proof needed for a person to be convicted of “gross indecency” between men, which usually meant sodomy. Letters would often suffice.
Ergo, gay men became terrified of getting blackmailed as it was one of the easiest and most effective ways to get to them. Blackmail was what was used against gay men (lesbianism was never technically illegal in England).
Holmes’s resentment of blackmailers, therefore, speaks volumes about his own potential homosexuality.
Couple this with him holding Watson’s hand multiple times during the story, “stealing his hand into” it at one point when Watson is scared, and their running away from the police together… Doyle knew what he was doing.
September 22, 2023
(SPOILERS)
This story is ok. It's not the WORST Sherlock Holmes story, but it's certainly NOT the best, either.
It's about Holmes using various illegal techniques to steal some "scandalous" documents from the titular Charles Augustus Milverton to save the rich (but more on the poor side of rich) Lady Eva's honor and, it seems, her fiancee's life.
Meet (part of) the cast:
SHERLOCK HOLMES. London's only private consulting detective and a Victorian Vulcan. He will do anything to help a woman who's honor is at stake, including throwing other women's honor under the bus.
WATSON. Holme's faithful friend and the only character with a scrap of common sense.
CHARLES AUGUSTUS MILVERTON. A greedy and unscrupulous professional blackmailer who disgusts Holmes more then all of England's murderers for some reason.
LADY EVA. The rich, but kind of poor rich, lady who's honor is at stake
AGATHA THE MAID. The future Mrs. Holmes who's honor is thrown under a bus.
RANDOM MURDERESS. Some woman who shoots C.A. Milverton because her husband died from scandal.
Above I mentioned that Holmes must retrieve some papers from Milverton so that he won't ruin Lady Eva's matrimonial hopes, and kill her fiancee. Because apparently the scandal that those papers could cause would be so horrible, he may die of it. No, really, it's a legitimate concern that factors in the discussion. Scandal is like a loathsome disease that Victorians had no immunity to.
'What was in these papers?' you may ask. Stolen military intelligence which the fate of many hinges upon? Nope. Some "imprudent" sentences which Lady Eva wrote to an ex-boyfriend before she even met her fiancee.
IMPRUDENT SENTENCES SHE WROTE TO AN EX-BOYFRIEND BEFORE SHE. MET. HER. FIANCEE.
Are you kidding me?
However, it's apparently so serious that her fiancee will die if he learns that Lady Eva dated people before him. How dare she!
THIS REVIEW IS NOT FINISHED
This story is ok. It's not the WORST Sherlock Holmes story, but it's certainly NOT the best, either.
It's about Holmes using various illegal techniques to steal some "scandalous" documents from the titular Charles Augustus Milverton to save the rich (but more on the poor side of rich) Lady Eva's honor and, it seems, her fiancee's life.
Meet (part of) the cast:
SHERLOCK HOLMES. London's only private consulting detective and a Victorian Vulcan. He will do anything to help a woman who's honor is at stake, including throwing other women's honor under the bus.
WATSON. Holme's faithful friend and the only character with a scrap of common sense.
CHARLES AUGUSTUS MILVERTON. A greedy and unscrupulous professional blackmailer who disgusts Holmes more then all of England's murderers for some reason.
LADY EVA. The rich, but kind of poor rich, lady who's honor is at stake
AGATHA THE MAID. The future Mrs. Holmes who's honor is thrown under a bus.
RANDOM MURDERESS. Some woman who shoots C.A. Milverton because her husband died from scandal.
Above I mentioned that Holmes must retrieve some papers from Milverton so that he won't ruin Lady Eva's matrimonial hopes, and kill her fiancee. Because apparently the scandal that those papers could cause would be so horrible, he may die of it. No, really, it's a legitimate concern that factors in the discussion. Scandal is like a loathsome disease that Victorians had no immunity to.
'What was in these papers?' you may ask. Stolen military intelligence which the fate of many hinges upon? Nope. Some "imprudent" sentences which Lady Eva wrote to an ex-boyfriend before she even met her fiancee.
IMPRUDENT SENTENCES SHE WROTE TO AN EX-BOYFRIEND BEFORE SHE. MET. HER. FIANCEE.
Are you kidding me?
However, it's apparently so serious that her fiancee will die if he learns that Lady Eva dated people before him. How dare she!
THIS REVIEW IS NOT FINISHED
May 25, 2020
You know, Watson, I don't mind confessing to you that I have always had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal. This is the chance of my lifetime in that direction.
It is no secret that Edgar Poe exerted an enormous influence on Arthur Conan Doyle. We all know that Sherlock Holmes is based on Poe's Auguste Dupin, the amateur sleuth who stars in The Purloined Letter, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, and The Mystery of Marie Roget. In fact, A Scandal in Bohemia is so similar to The Purloined letter that we should consider it a shameless rip-off by Mr. Conan Doyle.
The tale that I'm reviewing, Charles Augustus Milverston, bears a resemblance to The Purloined Letter. It's about a professional blackmailer who collects secrets and then extorts money out of people in exchange for his secrecy. This unlikable gentleman is Holmes's nemesis in this short story.
To my knowledge, this is the only time when Sherlock resorts to illegal methods in one of his cases. Anyhow, it is a very entertaining text. The ending is particularly satisfying.
It is no secret that Edgar Poe exerted an enormous influence on Arthur Conan Doyle. We all know that Sherlock Holmes is based on Poe's Auguste Dupin, the amateur sleuth who stars in The Purloined Letter, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, and The Mystery of Marie Roget. In fact, A Scandal in Bohemia is so similar to The Purloined letter that we should consider it a shameless rip-off by Mr. Conan Doyle.
The tale that I'm reviewing, Charles Augustus Milverston, bears a resemblance to The Purloined Letter. It's about a professional blackmailer who collects secrets and then extorts money out of people in exchange for his secrecy. This unlikable gentleman is Holmes's nemesis in this short story.
To my knowledge, this is the only time when Sherlock resorts to illegal methods in one of his cases. Anyhow, it is a very entertaining text. The ending is particularly satisfying.
August 8, 2017
Holmes is procured by the débutante Lady Eva Brackwell to recover trading off letters from a blackmailer: Charles Augustus Milverton, who causes Holmes more aversion than any of the 50-odd killers in his vocation. Milverton is "the ruler of blackmailers" and he makes his living out of extortion. He requests £7,000 for the letters, which would cause an embarrassment that would end Lady Eva's marriage engagement to the Earl of Dovercourt. Holmes offers £2,000, all Lady Eva can pay, yet Milverton demands £6,000. It is worth £2,000 to him to make a case of Lady Eva. Holmes sets out to recuperate the letters by whatever methods essential, as Milverton has set himself outside the limits of profound quality.
November 27, 2020
One of my favorite of all the short stories for the character details alone--the courtship of the maid! Watson and Holmes holding hands in the dark! Speculating about sharing a jail cell! Crafting masks from black silk! The atmospherics of the brutally cold exterior world outside the blackmailer's home are too often forgotten. It's just a brilliantly written story, and gives interesting insight into Holmes's moral ethics, given his peculiar revulsion toward CAM. Of course, men rather than women would be more apt to be the victim of blackmail in Victorian times, but Doyle only pushes the envelope so far.
September 8, 2025
A really fun one that breaks the model of “Sherlock investigates a crime that happened” and more closely resembles “Sherlock is present at the time of a crime” and kind of just reacts and interacts with the act at hand.
Less of an investigation and more of a story that happens to him.
Great story.
Less of an investigation and more of a story that happens to him.
Great story.
October 7, 2020
I normally like Sherlock & Watson stories, but this one was a bit hurried and unsatisfying.
A blackmailer and a woman wronged or should I say, many women wronged. I am not even sure, after the description they give of him, why women would confide in the blackmailer in the first place. But the ending was predictable.
A blackmailer and a woman wronged or should I say, many women wronged. I am not even sure, after the description they give of him, why women would confide in the blackmailer in the first place. But the ending was predictable.
August 29, 2021
“I’ve had to do with fifty murderers in my career, but the worst of them never gave me the repulsion which I have for this fellow”.
Holmes faces an antagonist he declares is "the worst man in London” as this man makes his living out of blackmail. In order to thwart this nasty business and retrieve compromising letters from Milverton, Holmes resorts to doing such extraordinary things we would never have thought he was capable of.
Just read it!
Holmes faces an antagonist he declares is "the worst man in London” as this man makes his living out of blackmail. In order to thwart this nasty business and retrieve compromising letters from Milverton, Holmes resorts to doing such extraordinary things we would never have thought he was capable of.
Just read it!
July 24, 2025
Una pena que en good reads no estén los ejemplares de la colección que dispongo para referenciarlos de manera exacta. Sin embargo el ejemplar leído, como también los anteriores, no solamente traen consigo el relato del título, sino también otros relatos entretenidos y variopintos.
El de Charles Augustus Milverton fue un recurso ingenioso de Conan Doyle. Y las demás historias traen consigo igual intriga y entretenimiento.
El de Charles Augustus Milverton fue un recurso ingenioso de Conan Doyle. Y las demás historias traen consigo igual intriga y entretenimiento.
June 11, 2023
Great story of revenge and when it is justified.
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