The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-07-05

49, lor-r-rA D0Nkicuit thdn IN the year
NfNNNAN 20. His Increasing fame
sSSGZe bad brought with 1t an
immense practice and /
should be guilty OF an indiscretion II 1
were even TO hint at the Identity of
some Of the illustrious clients who
crossed our humble threshold in Baker
street Holmes. however. like all great
artists, lived for his arts sake. and,
save in the case Of the Duke Of Holder
nesse, have seldom known him claim
any large reward for his inestmable
services. So unworidiy was he-or SO
capricious-that he frequently refused
his help to the powerful and wealthy
where the problem made no appeal to
his sympathies, while he would devote
weeks OF most intense application to
the affairs OF some humble client whose
case presented those strange and dra-
matte qualities which appealed TO his
imagination and challenged his inge-
nuity.
In this memorable year '95 n curious
and incongruous succession of cases
bad engaged his attention, rgnging
from his famous Investigation OF the
sudden death OF Cardinal Tosca-an
inquiry which was carried cut by him
at the express desire Of his holiness the
pope-down to his arrest OF Wilson, the
notorious canary trainer, which remov-
ed a plague spot from the east end OF
London Close on the heels of these
two famous cases came the tragedy OF
Woodmans Lee and the very obscure
circumstances which surrounded the
death OF Captain Peter Carey. No rec
ord Of the doings OF Mr. Sherlock
Holmes would be complete which did
not include some account Of this very
unusual affair
During the first week OF July my
friend had been absent so often and so
long from our lodgings that | knew he
had something on hand. TIE fact that
several rough looking men called dur
Ing that time and inquired for Captain
Basil made me understand that Holmes
was working somewhere under one OF
the numerous disguises and names with
which he concealed his own formi-
dable identity. He had at least five
small refugees in different parts OF
London in which he was able TO
change his personality He said moth
Ing OF bis business TO me, and 1t was
not my habit to force a confidence
The first positive sign which he gave
me of the direction which his investi
gatlon was taking was an extraordl-
nary one. He had gone out before
breakfast, and had sat down to
mine when he strode into the room,
his hat upon his head and huge
barb headed spear tucked like an um-
brella under his arm.
Good gracious. Holmes" I cried.
you don't mean TO say that you have
been walking about London with that
thing.'
Il drove to the butchers and back."i
The butcher'sY'
And I return with an excellent ap-
petite. There can be no question. my
dear Watson. OF the value OF exercise
before breakfast But | am prepared
to bet that you will not guess the form
that my exercise has taken"
II win not attempt IT,"
He chuckled as be poured out the cor-
fee.
IF you could have looked into Al
Iardyce's back shop you would have
seen dead pig swung from a hook In
the ceiling and a gentleman In his
shirt sleeves furiously stahblng at It
with this weapon. l was that ener-
getic person, and ! have satisfied my
self that by no exertion OF my strength
can ] translx the pig with a single
blow. Perhaps you would care to
Sry?"
mot for worlds. But why were you
doing thisg'
Because ii seemed to me TO have an
indirect bearing upon the mystery of
Woodman's Lee All, Hopkins. l got
your wire last night. and / have been
expecting you. Come and join us"
Our visitor was an exceedingly alert
man. thirty years Of age. dressed in
quiet tweed suit. but retaining the
erect bearing Of one who was accus-
toned to official uniform recognized
him at once as Stanley Hopkins. a
young police Inspector. for whose fu-
ture Holmes had high hopes. while he
In turn professed the admiration and
respect OF a pupil for the scientific
methods OF the famous amateur. Hop
kins' brow was clouded, and he sat
down with an air OF deep detection.
mo, thank you, sir breakfssted
before came round. l spent the night
in town. for came up yesterday TO re
porte
And what had you to report7"
Failure. sir; absolute failure" ~ 4
You have made no progressr' 5{s !
None" 'T
Dear mel must have a IoOk at
the matter"
Il wish to heavens that you would,
Mr. Holmes. It's MY nrst big chance.
and am at my wits end. For good
ness sake. come down and lend me a
hausi."
well well, It Just happens that have
already read all the available evidence,
including the report Of the inquest.
With some care. By the way. what do
YOU make Of that tobacco pouch found
on the scene Of the crimef Is there no
clew thereT'
Hopkins looked surprised.
1T was the mans own pouch, sir.
His initials were inside 1t. And It was
o. seaiskin-and be was an Old seale7
But be had no pipe"
"No, sir, we could nnd no pipe. IN
deed. be smoked very little. and Te. hs