The Press., 1895-05-23
THE SIGN OF IHE FOUR.
B9 4 X, ooMN DoY1.E:,
PIER VITI,

sss saa.. CHA PIER VIII z. *<
 @ssWhat no wft'aI asked. .ss >Toljy has lost his character fer infallibilfty
 "He acted according to his lights, D said Holmes, lifJing him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber yard If oueconsider how much oreosote is oarted about London in one. day. it is no great wonder that okkktra1l :should have been crossed. It is much used now, espe scially for the seasoning of wood Poor Toby is not to blame" q. =. >.:
 We must eebson the main scent again, suppose. a .o
 sss. Yes, and fortunately we have no dis tance to go Evidently what puzzled the dog%at the corner of Knights place was that there were two different trails run ming in Opposite directions We took the wrong one It only remains to follow the There was nos ttjficulty about this On leading Toby. to the place where he had committed his. fault he cast about in a wide circle and finally dashed off in 8 fresh direction. Sp
 We must take care that he does not now bring Us to the place where the creo sote barreIcame from, 1 observed.
 t had thought Ofsthat, but you. notice
 
 the barrel pissed doWffsehe r6sseswayI' No; we are or ths true scent flow.
 It tended down toward the riverside, running through Belmont place and Princes street. At the end of Broad street it ran right down to the waters edge, where tbc"' was 8 small wooden wharf. Toby led us to the very edge of this, and there stood whining looking out on the dark current beyond.
 We are out of luck," said Holmes. They have taken to boat here '' Sev- eral 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 ho sniffed earnestly he made no sign,
 Close to the rude landing stage was a small brick house, with a wooden placard slung cut through the second window. "MordeeAiL Smith" was printed across it in larger letters, and underneath Boats to Hire by the Hour or Day" A second in scriptiOn above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept, statement which was confirmed by great pile of coke upon the ietty Sherlock. Holmes looked slowly round, and his face assumed an ominous expression.
 ''This looks bad,' said he. These fel- lows arc shafPer than expected. They seemed to have coveted their tracks. There has, fear, been preconcerted man. agement here."
 He was approaching the door of the house when it opened, and little curly headed lad of came running out, fol lowed by stoutish, red faced woman with a large sponge in her hand.
 You come back and be washed, Jack, y she shouted, "Come back, you young imp, for if your father cG4nes home and finds you like that he'll let us hear of it.
 Dear little chap" said Holmes stratc- gically What a rosy checked young rascal Now, Jack, is there anything you would ljke?" ~
 The youth pondered for a moment, "I'd like a shillin," said he.
 "Nothing you would like better?"
 I'd like 9 shillin better, ' the prodigy answered after some thought
 "Here you are, thenl Catchl A fine child, Mrs. Smithl''
 "Lor bless you, sir, he is that and for ward. He gets almost too much for me tc manage, specially when my man is away days at time" ~'
 Away, is he?" said Holmes in a disap pointed voice. II, am sorry for that, for wanted to speak to MT. Smith. '
 He's been away since yesterday morn in, sir, and, truth to tell, Pm .beginnin te feel frightened abQpt him. But if it wal about a, boat, sir, smaybe l could serve al we'll" '' V %&@f'fF r.. ..< II wanted to hire his steam launch" "Why, bless you, sir, it is in the stean