The Delta independent., 1895-08-07
CHAPTER viz.

TIE BAKER STREET 1REEaULARs.
"What now?' / asked. toby has
lost his character for infalli4ility."
''lie acted according to his lights
said Holmes, lifting him down from
the barrel and walking him out of the
timber yard. III You consider how
much creosote is carted about London
in one day, it is no great wonder that
our trail should have been crossed. 1t
is much used now, especially for the
seasoning of wood. Poor Toby is not
to blame"
I'VE must get ON the main scent
again, ! suppose"
Yes. And. fortunately, we have no
distance to go. Evidently what puzzled
the dog at the corner of knights
place was that there We're two differ
ent trails running in opposite dircc-
tions We took the wrong one. 1t only
remains to follow the other"
There was no difficulty about this.
On leading Toby to the place where he
had committed his fault. he cast about
in wide circle, and finally dashed off
in Il fresh direction. .-.a= e-s-.,
I'VE must take care that he does not
now bring us to the place where the
crcosote 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.' ~.--s. - --.%>-
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 small
wooden wharf. Toby led us to the
very edge of this, and there stood
whining, looking out on the dark cur
rent beyond. ax..- ,.-scss 7-s'---e
"We are out OF luck" said Holiness
''They have taken to a boat here. !
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
small brick house, with wooden
placard SWING ont. through the second
window. "Mordecai Smith" was printed
across it in large letters, and, under
meath: .'Boats to hire by the hour or
day." second inscription above the
door informed us that n steam launch
was kept-a statement which was con.
firmed by q. great pile of coke upon the
ietty. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly
round, and his face assumed an ominous
expression.
"'rhis looks bad" said he. "Those
fellows are sharper than l expected.
They seem to have covered their tracks.
There has, / fear, been preconcerted
management here"
lie was approaching the door of the
house, when it opened, and a little
curly-headed lad of six came running
out, followed by Il stoutish, red-faced
woman with Il 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,
"Deur little c!iap!" said Holmes,
strategicallvs What rosy-cheeked
young rascal! Now, Jack, is there any
thing you would like?' 4
The youth pondcred for n moment.
I'D like shillin'," said he.
Nothing you would like better?"
I'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 a most too much for
me to manage, specially when my man
| is away days alta time"
Away, is hep" said Holmes, in n dis
appointed voice. II am sorry for that,
for wanted to speak to Mr.. Smith"
Hes been away since yesterday
mornin', sir, and, truth to tell, / am be.
| ,<rlf nh htyvN
But il it is shout boat, sir, maybe
could serve Ms we'll"
81 wanted to hire his steam launch v
"Why, bless you, sir, IT is in the steam
launch that he has gone. .Thnt's what
puzzles me; for know there amt more
Goals in her than would take her to
| about Woolwiclr and back. If he d been
away in the barge I'd ha' thought
| nothin'; for many II time II job has taken
him as far as Gravcscnd, and then II
stayed over. But what good is steam
launch without coals?"
''llc might have bought some at a
wharf down the river
.He might, sir, but 1t weren't his
way. Many time I've heard him call
ont at the prices they charge for few
| ouu OnSb- DSoNco, uou AlhC Sho
wooden-lcgged man, wi his ugly face
and outlandish talk. What did he
want always knockin' about here for?
"a woodcn-leggcd mani" said
Holmes, with bland surprise.
Yes, sir, a brown, monkcy-faced
chap that's called mare'n once for my
old man. 1t was him that reused hin,
up yestcrnight, and, what's more, my
1r,, l., I,u NJ.
steam up in the launch, tell you