The Irish standard., 1895-05-25

. the best rest. So it is. When had
succeeded in dissolying the hydrocar-
bon which I was at work at, ! came
back to our problem Of the sholtos, and
thought the whole matter out again.
My boys had been up the
river and down the river without
result. The launch was not at
any landing stage or wharf, nor had it
returned. Yet it could hardly have
been, scuttled to hide their traces
though that always remained as a pos
sible hypothesis il all else failed. Z.
knew that this man Small had a GER
tain degree Of low cunning, but l did
not think him capable of anything in
the nature Of delicate fnesse. That is
usually a product of higher education.
Ithen reflected that since he had GER
tainly been in London some time -as
we had evidence that he maintained a
continual watch over Pondicherry
.lodge--he could hardly leave at a mo-
ment's notice, but would need some
little time, if it were only day, to
arrange his affairs. That was the bal
ance of probability, at any rate"
''It seems to me to be little weak, =
said I. cit is more probable that he
had arranged his affairs before ever he
! set out upon his expedition"
''No, I hardly think so. This lair Of
his would be too valuable a retreat in
case of need for him to give It up until
he was sure that he could do without
it. But second consideration struck
| me: Jonathan Small must have felt
that the peculiar appearance OF his
companion, however much he may
have top-coated him, would give rise
to gossip, and possibly be associated
with this Norwood tragedy. He was
quite sharp enough to see that. They
had started from their headquarters
under. cover of darkness, and he
would wish to get back before it was
broad light. Now, it was past three
o'clock, according to Mrs. Smith, when
they got the boat, It would be quite
bright, and people would be about in
an hour or so. Therefore, I argued,
they did not go very far. They paid
Smith well to hold his tongue, reserved
his launch for the final escape, and
hurried to their lodgings with the
treasure box In couple of nights,
when they had time to see what view
the papers took, and whether there
was any suspicion, they would make
their way under cover Of darkness to
some ship at Gravesend or, in the
Downs, where no doubt they had al
ready arranged for passages to America
or the colonies. .
s'But the launch? They could not
have taken that to their lodgings"
sOuite SO. argued that the launch
must be no great way of, in spite of
it's invisibiiity. then put myself in
the place Of Small, and looked at it as
man of his capacity would. He would
probably consider that to send back
the launch or:to keep it at a wharf would
make pursuit easy if the police did
happen to get on his track. How, then,
I,conld he conceal the launch and yet
have her at hand when wanted? I
wondered what I should do myself if I
were in his shoes could only think
| of one way Of doing it. might hand
the launch over to some boatbuilder
or repairer, with directions to make a
trifiing change in her. She would then
be removed to his shed or yard, and SO
I be effect,,ally concealed, while at the
same time ] could have her at few
hours notice.
..That seems simple enough"
.'It is lust these very simple things
which are extremely liable to be over
looked. However, I determined to act
on the idea. / started at once in this
harmless seamans rig and inquired at
all the yards down the river. I drew
blank at fifteen, but at the sixteenth
Jacobson's-I learned that the Aurora
had been handed over to them two
days ago by wooden-legged man,
with some trivial directions as to her
rudder. There amt naught amiss
with her rudder,' said the foreman.
There she lies, with the red strealks.'
At that moment who should come down
but Mordecai Smith, the missing
owner? He was rather the worse
for liquor. I should not, Of courses.
have known him, but he beloved
out his name and the name OF his
launch. 4 want her tonight at eight
O'clock said he at eight clock sharp,
mind, for II have two gentlemen who
won't be kept waiting.' They had evil
IDENTIFY paid him we'll for he was very
flush of money, chuckin{g shiilings'
about to the men. followed him some
distance, but he subsidized in an ale
house; SO went back to the yard, and,
happening to pick up one Of my boys
On the way, i stationed him as . sentry
over the launch. He is to stand at the
waters edge and wave his hand lxerchiet
to us when they start. We shall be.
living off in the stream, and it will be
strange thing il we do not take men,
| treasure and all. !" ,5.s IS
4.sYou have planned it all very neatly,
whether they are the right men or
not.D said Jones; '.but If the affair
were IN my hands I should have had
i body Of police III Jacobsor's yard,
and arrested them when they came
down. 8 Ell N sz # ii NJ 3s
VI (which would have been never. This
man Small is q pretty sflrewd fellow.
He would send scout on ahead and il
anything made him suspicious he
would lie snug for another wee e
.sIsut you might have stuck to
Nerdecai Smith, and SO been led to
their hiding place, Z said IS.
| Z. IL that case / should have wasted
my day. think that Il is e hundred q, ed
| to one against Smith knowing where
they live. AS long as he has liquor
and good pay, why should he ask as1es--
tions? They send him messages what
to do. No thought oyer every pos pas.
sihle course, and this is the best. sss5 B.