Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-08-08
CHAPTER vIIL-CoNr1suEp.


CHAPTER vIL-CoNTINUED
1--WE must take care that he does not
now bring US to the place where the
creosote barrel came FROM" observed.
II had thought of that But you no
tice that he keeps on the pavement,
whereas the barrel passed down the
roadway. No, we are on the true scent
now
1t tended down towards the river
side, running through Belmont place
and Princes street. At the end OF
Broad street it ran right down to the
waters edge, where there was a small
wooden wharf. Toby led us to the
very edge of this, and there stood
whining. looking out on the dark cur
rent beyond.
1--WE are out of luck" said Holmes.
''They have taken to a boat here. J"
Several small punts and skiffs were
lying about in the water and on the
edge of the wharf. We took Toby
round to each in turn, but, though he
shifted earnestly, he made no sign.
Close to the rude landing stage was
a small brick house, with wooden
placard swung out through the second
window. ''Mordecai Smith was printed
across it in large letters, and. under
meath: Boats to hire by the hour or
day." A second inscription above the
door informed us that a steam launch
was kept-a statement which was con-
firmed by q great pile of coke upon the
jetty. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly
round. and his face assumed an ominouS
expression.
Io SsTloco
fellows are sharper than / expected.
They seem to have covered their tracks.
There has, 1 fear, been preconcerted
management here"
He was approaching the door Of the
house, when it opened, and a little
curly-headed lad of six came running
out, followed by a stoutish. red-faced
woman with a large sponge in her hand.
'.You come back and be washed,
Jack" she shouted. ''Come back, you
young imp. For if your father comes
home and finds you like that. he'll
let us hear of it"
Dear little chap." said Holmes,
strategically. What a rosy-cheeked
young rascal. Now, Jack, is there any
thing you would hke?"
The youth pondered for a moment.
sid like a shillin'," said he.
''Nothing you would like better?"
ssI'd like two shillin' BETTER" the
prodigy answered, after some thought.
Here you are, then! Catch-A fine
child, Mrs. Smith,
''Lor' bless you, sir, he is that, and
forward. He gets most too much for
me to manage, specially when my man
is away days alta time"
'Away, is hep" said Holmes, in dis
appointed voice. Il am sorry for that,
for wanted to speak to Mr.. Smith"
Hes been away since yesterday
mornin', sir, and, truth to tell, am be-
ginnin' to feel frightened about him.
But if it is about a boat, sir, maybe l
could serve as we'll"
81 wanted to hire his steam launch"
''Why, bless you. sir, it is in the steam
launch that he has gone. That's what
puzzles me; for know there amt more
Goals in her than would take her to
about Woo1wich and back. If he'd been
away in the barge I'd ha' thought
nothin'; for many time job has taken
him as far as Gravesend, and then if
there was much doin' there he might ha'
stayed over. But what good is a steam
launch without coals?"
''He might have bought some at a
wharf down the river
''He might, sir, but it weren't his
way. Many time I've heard him call
out at the prices they charge for a few
odd bags Besides, I don't like that
wooden-legged man, wi his ugly face
and outlandish talk. What did he
want always knockin' about here FORE"
"a wooden-legged MANI" said
Holmes, with bland surprise.
"Yes, sir, a brown, monkeyfaced
chap that's called more'n once for my
old man. 1t was him that reused him
up yesternight, and, what's more, my
man knew he was comm, for he had
steam up in the launch. 1 tell you
straight. sir, I don't feel easy in my
mind about it
But, my dear Mrs. Smith," said
Holmes, struggling his shoulders,
''you are frightening yourself about
nothing. How could you possibly tell
that it was the wooden-legged man
who came in the night? don't quite
understand how you can be so sure"
His voice, sir. 1 knew his voice,
which is kind o thick and foggy. He
tapped at the winder-about three it
would be. Show leg, matey,' says
he: time to turn out guard My old
man woke up Jim-that's my eldest
and away they went, without so much
as a word TO me. I could hear the
wooden leg claclxin' on the stones
And was this wooden-legged man
alonee'
Couldn't say, am sure. sir. didn't
hear no one else"
Il am sorry, Mrs. Smith. for wanted
a steam launch, and have heard good
reports of the Let me see, what is
her name?"
THE Aurora, sir"
''Ah! She's not that old green launch
with yellow line, very broad in the
beam?"
mo. indeed. She's as trim little
thing as any on the river. She's been
fresh painted, black with two red
StreakS."
Thanks. I hope that you will hear
soon from Mr.. Smith. I am going
down the river; and if I should see
anything of the Aurora shall let him
know that you are uneasy. A black
funnel, you say?"
''No, sir. Black with white band"
''Ah, of course. 1t was the sides
which were black. Good morning.
Mrs. Smith. There is boatman here
X 1I Al