The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-05-29
The Sign of
1.-The Four.
CHAPTER VII

WnaC now! cSKeS- 1OOy uaS
lost his character for infalEbility."
''He acted according to his lights"
said Holmes, lifting hin down from
the barrel and walking him out of the
timber yard. IF you consider how
much creosote is carted about London
in one day, it is no great wonder that
our trail should have been crossed. It
is much used now, especially for the
seasoning of wood. Poor Toby IS not
to blame"
Eve must get On the main scent
again, suppose.
Eyes. And, fortunately. we have no
distance to go. Evidently what puzzled
the dog at the corner Of Knights
place was that there were two differ
ent trails running in opposite direc-
tions. We took the wrong one. 1t only
remains to follow tie other.''
There was no difficulty 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 fresh direction.
1--WE must take care that he does not
now bring Us to the place where the
creosote barrel came from,'' 1 observed.
81 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 small
wooden wharf. Toby led US TO the
very edge Of this. and there stood
whining, looking ont on the dark cur
rent beyond.
''We are out of luck" said Holmes.
''They have taken to 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 10 sign.
Close to the rude landing stage was
small brick house, with a wooden
placard swung out through the second
window. ''Iordecai 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 as that steam launch
was kept-a statement which was con-
frmed by q great pile Of coke upon the
jetty Sherlock Holmes looked slowly
round, and his face assumed an oEinous
expression.
This looks bad" said he Those
fellows are sharper than I expected.
They seem to have covered their tracks
There has, fear, been preconcerted
management here
He was approaching the door of the
house. when it opened, and little
curly-headed lad Of six came running
out, followed By stoutish, red-faced
woman with alarge sponge in her hand
sYoa come back and be washed,
Jack she shouted. Come back, you
young imp. For if your father comes
home and finds you ike that he'll
let us hear Of it.
Dear little chap" said Holmes,
strategy;call:-. Wat q rosy-cheeked
young rascal, Now. Jack, IS there any
thing you wo@ld lac?'
The youth pondered for moment.
I'D like shiiiin'.' said he.
Nothing you would ike better?"
I'D like two shillin' better" the
prodigy answered, after some thought.
Here yoU are, then. Catch-A fine
child. Mrs Smith
,Lor blcss you, sir, he is that, and
forward. lie gets most too much for
ne 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.
fer wanted TO speak to Mr. Smith.
Hes been away since yesterday
mornin', sir, and, truth to tell, an be
ginc;n' TO feel frightened about him.
But if it is about a boat, sir, maybe l
could serve as well.
Il wanted to hire his steam launch. =
.'Whv, bless you, sir. it is in the steam
launch that he has gone nat $ ma !
puzzles me; for l know there ain n'tsnore
Goals in her than would take her to
about Woolwich and back. If he'd been
away in the barge ia ha' thought
nothin': for many time a job has taken
him as far as Gravesend. and then II
there was much doin there he might ha
stayed over. But what good is 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 few
odd bags. Besides, I don't like that
wooden-legged man, WI his ugly face