Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-06-03

- - physical, than in the year
RKaZM&AE 30. His Increasing fame
E2N@&N bad brought with it an
immense practice. and I
should be guilty of an indiscretion IL I
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. l have seldom known him claim
any large reward for his Inestimable
services. So unworldly was he-or SO
caprlciOus-that he frequently refused
his help to the powerful and wealthy
where the problem made no appeal to
mis- sympath ies, while he would devote
weeks of most intense application to
he affairs of some humble client whose
& L}e presented those strange and dra-
~ tic qualities which appealed to his
Z imagination and challenged his inge-
luity
In this memorable year '95 a curious
and incongFuous succession OF cases
pad engaged his attention. ranging
rom his famous investigation OF the
sudden death OF Cardinal TOsca-an
inquiry which was carried out by him
1T the express desire OF his holiness the
pope-dOwn to his arrest OF Wilson. the
notorious canary trainer. which renov-
I'd plague spot from the east end Of
London. Close on the heels OF these
wo famous cases came the tragedy of
WOodman's Lee and the very obscure
circumstances which surrounded the
Heath 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 nv
friend had been absent so often and so
ong from our lodgings that knew he
lad something on hand. The fact that
several rough looking men called dur
ng that time and inquired for Captain
Basil made me understand that Holmes
vas working somewhere under one of
he numerous disguises and names with
which he concealed his own formi-
liable identity. He had at least FIVE
mall refugees in different parts OF
- ndon in which he was able to
.hange his personality. He said moth
ng of his business to me, and il was
rot my habit to force confidence.
The first positive sign which he gave
ne OF the direction which his investi-
cation was taking was an extraordi-
nary one. He had gone out before
breakfast. and had sat down to
nine when he strobe into the room,
his hat upon his head and huge
barb headed spear tucked like an UNI
Drella under his arm.
Good gracious. Holmes" l cried,
you don't mean to say that you have
been walking about London with that
hing
b II drove to the butchers and back"
1.-THE butcher's?'
"And return with an excellent ap-
BETTE There can be no question my
Aear Watson. OF the value OF exercise
before breakfast. But l am prepared
o bet that you will not guess the form
hat my exercise has taken
Il will not attempt II"
= chuckled as he poured out the cot
n IF you could have looked into Al
4 kardyce's back shop you would have
4 seen dead pig swung from a hook in
khe ceiling and gentleman in his
shirt sleeves furiOusly stabbing at il
I tyetic person. and l have satisfied my
Akelf that 10y no exertiOn OF my strength
lean | transfix the pig with single
blow. Perhaps you wouId care 10
h kry?"
Not for worlds. But why were you
K 1oing this:
K Because IL seemed To me TO have an
4 indirect bearing upon the mystery OF
A l. l. Il 1wfaN
r xour wire last night, and l have been
expecting you. Come and join us
Our visitor was an exceedingly alert
man. thirty years OF age, dressed in
ouIet tweed suit. but retaining the
erect bearing OF one who was accus-
Romed to official uniform. i recognized
MIN at once as Stanley Hopkins. a
voung police inspector. for whose fu-
ture Holmes had high hopes. while he
turn professed the admiration and
= ssneet of a pupil for the scientific
methods of the famous amateur. Hop
aims brow was clouded, and he sat
down with an air OF deep detection.
III NO. thank you. sir. l breakfasted
shefore came round. l spent the night
in Town, for came up yesterday 10 re-
port"
And what had you to reportE
Failure, sir; absolute failure.
"You have made no progressT'
None"
pear me. ! must have look at
the matter"
II wish to heavens that you would
/ Mr. Holmes. It's my first big chance.
and I am at my wits end. For good
ness sake, come down and lend me a
hand
.WeII. well. 1t just happens that have
ALREADY read all the available evidence,
i Including the report OF the inquest.
with some care. BY the way. what do