Holmes is hired by Lady Eva Blackwell, a young debutante, to retrieve some compromising letters from a blackmail artist named Charles Augustus Milverton, a man who causes Holmes more revulsion than any of the 50-odd murderers that he has dealt with in his career. Milverton comes to 221B Baker Street at Holmes's behest, and proceeds to demand 7000 Pounds for the return of the aforesaid letters, which if revealed would cause a scandal likely to put an end to Lady Eva's wedding plans. Holmes makes a counteroffer of 2000 Pounds, explaining that Lady Eva cannot come up with 7000 Pounds. Milverton knows this is true, but adamantly refuses to budge, and after nearly coming to blows with Holmes and Dr. Watson, he leaves.
