Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-29

lUIiiI. bOtI anu
physical. than In the year
S6RNNNV %. His increasing fame
SHxI had brought with 1t an
immense practice, and
ksehould be guilty of an indiscretion II
Ewere even to hint at the identity Of
some of the illustrious clients who
!. crossed our humble threshold in Baker
Eetreet Holmes, however. like all great
Eartists. lived for his arts sake. and.
Esavc In the case Of the Duke of Holder
knesse, I have seldom known him claim
EAny large reward for his incstmable
services. So unworldly was he--or SO
Scapricious--tha he frequently refused
E3ls help to the powerful and wealthy
i.where the problem made no appeal to
Ibis sympathics. while he would devote
! weeks Of most intense application to
the affairs Of some humble client whose
lease presented those strange and dra.
matte qualities which appealed to his
Imagination and challenged his inge.
nuity.
In this memorable year '95 curious
and homogeneous succession Of cases
mad engaged his attention. ranging
@rom bis famous investigation of the
sudden death of Cardinal Tosca-an
enquiry which was carried out by him
at the express desire Of his holiness the
pope-down 10 his arrest of Wilson. the
notorious canary trainer, which remov-
ed plague spot from the east end Of
london. Close on the heels Of these
two famous cases came the tragedy Of
r,1 I'D 1,a ,l,.
| 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 bad been absent so often and so
Song from our lodgings that knew he
had something on hand. The 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 DISCUSSES and names with
which lie concealed his own formi.
dable identity. lie 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 his business to me. and it was
not my habit to force confidence.
The first positive sign which he gave
ME of the direction which his investi.
CATION was taking was an extraordi-
nary one lie had gone out before
breakfast and l had sat down to
mine when he strobe into the room,
his hat upon his head and a huge
barb headed spear tucked like an UNI
hrella under his arm.
Good gracious Holiness" 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"
"rhe butcher's?'
"And I return with an excellent an
petite. There can he no question, my
dear Watson. of the value of exercise
before breakfast. But l am prepared
to bet that you will not guess the form
1hat my exercise has taken"
II will not attempt It,"
He chuckled as he poured out the cot.
Zee.
III you could have looked into AL.
lardyce's back shop you would have
seen dead pig swung from a hook in
the ceiling and II gentleman in his
shirt sleeves furiously stabbing at II
with this weapon. l was that ener
Eetic person. and have satisfied my
Self that by no eXcrtion Of my strength
i tPpncfY tho niv with in frI6
blow. Perhaps you would care t.
.ry?"
mot for worlds. But why were YOU
doing this!"
Because 1t seemed to me to have ar
indirect bearing upon the mystery Of
WOodman's Lee All, Hopkins, l go
your wire last night, and have beer
expecting you. Come and join u.s."
Our visitor was an exceedingly aler
man. thirty years Of age, dressed in Z
quiet tweed suit, but retaining thu
erect bearing Of one who was accus
toned to official uniform. recognized
him at once as Stanley Hopkins. ,
young police inspector, for whose fu
turc Holmes had high hopes, while III
In turn pr0fessed the admiration an(
respect Of pupil for the scentiti,
methods Of the famous amateur. Hop
kins' brow was clouded, and he 81
down with an air Of deep detection.
mo, thank you, sir. l breakfastet
before ! came round. spent the nigh
In town, for came up yesterday to re
port"
"And what had you to report?"
"Failure, sir; absolute failure"
"You have made no prOgress;"
"None."
Dear me! l must have a look q
the matter"
II wish to heavens that you would
Mr.. Holmes. It's my first big chance
and am at my wits end. For good
ness sake, come down and lend me
hand"
"Well. well, 1t Just happens that hav
already read all the available evidence
Including the report Of the inquest
with some care. BY the way. what d
you make OF that tobacco pouch foun'
sen the scene Of the crime? IL there n
elsw thers?"
r Hopkins looked surprised.
ut was the mans own pouch. slr
His initials were inside 1t. And II wa
OF sealskin-and he was an old sealer.