The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-11-09
CHAPTER vnL-coNrrNurp.

I'VE must take care that he does not
now bring us to the place where the
creosote barrel came from" observed.
~ had thought of that Bnt you no.
tice that he keeps on the pavement,
whereas the barrel passed down the
roadway. No, we are on the true scent
now"
II tended down towards the river
side, running through Belmont place
and Princes street. At the end of
Broad street IL ran right down TO the
waters edge, where there was n 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 luclx,. said Holmes.
"They have taken TO boat here"
Several small punts and slxifrs were
lying about in the water and on the
edge of the wharf We took Toby
round each in turn. but, though he
shifted earnestly, he made no sign.
Close TO the rude landing stage was
n small brick house, with n wooden
plscard swung out through the second
window. "Mordecai Smith" was printed
across IL in large letters, and, under
meath: Boats 10 hire by the hour or
day" A second inscription above the
door informed us that n steam launch
was kept-a statement which was con-
firmed by great pile of coke upon the
ietty. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly
nnd, and his face assumed an ominous
Expression
This looks bad" said he. "Those
fellows are sharper than j expected.
They seem 10 have covered their tracks.
There has, fear, been preconcertcd
management here"
lie was approaching the door of the
house, when II opened, and a little
curly-headed lad of six came running
out, followed by a stoutish, red-faced
woman with large sponge in her hand.
"You come back and be washed,
Jack" she shouted. "Come back you
younr imp For n yanr father comes
home and finds you like that. he'll
let us hear Of it,"
Dear little chapl" said Holmes,
stratcgically. what a rosy-cheeked
yoang rascal Now, Jack, is there any
thing you would lilxe?"
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, thenl Catch--A fine
child, Mrs smith,
"Lor' bless you. sir, he Is that, and
forward. lie gets a most too much for
me TO manage, specially when my man
Is away days alta time"
Away, is he?" said Holmes, in dis
appointed voice. 81 am sorry for that,
for wanted 10 speak TO Mr.. smith
Hes been away since yesterday
mornin', sir, and, truth to tell. am be-
ginnin 10 feel frightened about him.
But II IL Is about a boat, sir, maybe l
build serve as we'll"
81 wanted TO hire his steam launch"
'Why. bless sou, sir, II 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 Woolwich and back. Ifhc'd been
away In the barge I'd ha' thought
nothin; for many a time q job has taken
him as far as Gravesend. and then II
there was much dom there he might ha'
stayed over but what good Is a steam
launch without coals?"
''Ile might have bought some at n
wharf down the river"
''He might, sir, but IL weren't his
way. Many a time I've heard him call
out at the prices they charge for a few
odd bags Besides, l don't like that
woodcn-leggcd man, wi his ugly face
and outlandish talk. What did he
want always lsnoclSin' about here fore"
"A wooden-legged Inang' said
2iolmcs. with bland surprise.
q '.Yes. sir. a brown. monlscy-faccd |
chap that's called morc'n once for my
old man. II was him that reused him
up ycstcrnight. and, what's more. my
man knew he was comm. for he had
steam up IN the launch. ! tell you
straight. sir. don't feel easy In nay
mind about II"
''Dut. my dear Mrs. smith" said
Holmes, Struggling his shoulders,
''you are frightening yourself about
nothing, How could you possibly tell |
that Il was the meteorological man
who came In the night? don't quite /
understand how you can be so sure"
y iile voice. sir. I knew his voice,
which II kind o. thick and forgv lie \
tapped al the windcr about three Il
would be. show leg. motcy. says 4
he; time 10 turn out guard Ny old \
man woke up Jim that's my eldest
and away thew went. without 40 much