The Irish standard., 1895-05-18
CHAPTER VIII. !

1OSG n1S C1HTACLer IOT 1n1alllClllCY.1, gS&
he acted according to his lights
said Holmes, lifting him down from
the barrel and walking him out of the
timber ycrd. IF you consider how
much creosote is cartcd 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"
Yves. And, fortunately, we have no
distance to go. Evidently what puzzled
the dog at the corner of Knights
place was that there wore two differ
ent trails running in opposite direc-
tions. We took the wrong one. It 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 OF
in fresh direction. J.
"We must take care that he does not
| now bring us to the place where the
creosote barrel came FROM 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"
It tended down towards the river.
side, running through Belmont place.
| and Princes street. AT the end Of
Broad street 1t 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.
s.,We are out Of luck said Holmes.
''They have taken to a boat here. y"
Several small punts and skiffs were
lying about in the water and on the
edge of the wharf. We 4took Toby
round to each in turn, but, though he
shifted earnestly, he made no sign.
Close to the rude landing stage was
a small brick house, with a wooden
placard swung out through the second
window. 'Mordecai 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 us that steam launch
was kept--a statement which was con-.
frmed by great pile of coke upon the
jetty. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly.
round, and his face assumed an ominous
expression. tt#. rev
This looks badj;' said he. Those,
fellows are sharper than l 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 q stoutish, red faced
woman with a 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." s.l.ss,. ...,
''Dear little chap!' said Holmes,
strategically. what Q rosy-cheeked
young rascal! Now, Jack, is there any
thing you would like?'' i,. III.
The youth pondered for y moment.
..I'd like shillin', said he. t. 33
Nothing you would like tbetter?"
\ era like two shillin' better the
prodigy answered, after some thought.
Here you are, then! CatchA fine
child: Mrs. Smith, s.s + /.
'Lor' bless you, sir, hessis that, and
forward. He gets most too much for
me to manage, specially when my man
IL away days at . time. = sl
q z Away, is hep said Holmes, in . disc
appointed voice. II am sorry for that,
for I wanted to speak to Mr.. Smith. y.
He's been away since yesterday
1nornin', sir, and, truth to tell, I am be-
ginnin' to feel frightened about him,
! But II it is about . boat, sir, maybe s
could serve as well. 8 u
N S.'l wanted to hire his steam launch..''s
..tWhy, bless you, sir, .it is inthe steam
launch that he has gone. That's what
puzzles me; for I know there ain't more
Goals in her than would take her to-;
I about Woo1wich and back. II he'd been
away in the barge I'd ha' thought
snothin'; for many . time q job hastaken
him as far as Gravesend, and then t.
there was much dom there he might ha'
stayed over. But what good is = steam
/ launch without coals?r .5* ~
He nigh have bought some at 81
wharf down the river "a
j HE might, SIR, but it weren't his
/ way. Many 8 time I've heard him call
out at the prices they charge for a few
odd bags Besides, /. don't like that
wooden-legRed man, VII his ugly face
and outland ish talk. What did he
want always knockin' about here for77''
!. {. "A wooden-legged 81 ,nan7'' said
Holmes, with bland surprise.
538 Yes, 81, d brown, monk y-faced
chap that's called nore'n once for my
old man. II vas him that reused him
up yesternigh htt, and, what's more, my
man knew He WIS comm, for he had
steam mp ii the launch. I tell You
( straight. ST, u don feel easy in my
mind about s. Is
5 6. But my dear Alrs. sSmit ~ n said
/ Holmes, shrng cling his should
ss..Jyou are flig tening yourself about
nothing. How could you possibly ts1l
that it was Til wooden legged man
! Who came IL the nigh &c don't quite
understand how y1u cart be s.: & 5s
10 Il I. voioe, sif, s.I knew his yoire,
ssvhich s. kind ~ iclk md 4eggy He
tapped ri ~ lbout three itt:
s1gou1s osl d n.y. q
d
ili ais;sIi;
sllE
u T. s 81 u u ~ q y
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