Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-05-26
HE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS THURSDAY MAY 2s 1904.

under cover Of darkness, and he
would wish to get back before it was
broad light. Now, it was past three
o'clock, according to Mrs Smith, when
they got the boat. II would be quite
bright, and people would be about in
an hour or SO. Therefore, argued,
they did not go very far. They paid
Smith we'll to hold his tongue, reserved
his launch for the final escape, and
hurried to their lodgings with the
trcasure-box. In couple of nights,
when they had time to see what view
the papers took, and whether there
was any suspicion, they would make
their way under cover of darkness to
some ship at Gravesend or in the
Downs, where no doubt they had nj
ready arranged for passages to America
or Abe colonies"
But the launch? They could not
have taken that to their lodgings"
"Ouitc so. argued that the launch
must be no great way Off, in spite of
it's invisibility. then put myself in
the place of Small, and looked at il as
man of his capacity would. He would
probably consider that TO send back
the launch or 20 keep it at a wharf would
make pursuit easy if the police did
happen to get on his track How Cthcn,
could he conceal the launch and yet
have her at hand when wanted?
wondered what should DO myself if
were In his shoes. could only think
of one way of doing IL. might hand
the launch over to some boatbuildcr
or repairer, with directions to make n
trifling change in her. She would then
be removed to his shed or yard, and so
be effectually concealed, while at the
same time could have her at Il few
hours notice"
THAT seems simple enough"
at is Just these very simple things
which are extremely liable TO be over
looked. However, determined to act
on the idea. started at once in this
harmless scaman's rig and inquired at
all the yards down the river. drew
blank at fifteen, but at the sixteenth
Jacobson's-I learned that the Aurora
had been handed over to them two
days ago by woodcn-lcgrcd man,
with some trivial directions as to her
with her ruddcr,' said the foreman.
There She lies, with the red strcalSs.'
At that moment who should come down
but Mordccai Smith, the missing
owner? lie was rather the worse
for liquor. should not, of course,
have known him, but he beloved
out his name and the name of his
launch. 1 want her tonight at eight
o'clock, Sd id he-'a eight o'clock sharp,
mind, for have Two gentlemen who
won't be kept waiting They had evil
IDENTIFY paid him well. for he was very
flush of money. chuclling shillings
about to the men. followed him some
distance, but he subsidized in an ale
house; so went back TO the yard, and,
happening TO pick up one of my boys
on the way, stationed him as sentry
over the launch He is 20 stand at the
waters edge and wave his handkerchief
to us when they start. We shall he
lying off in the stream, and it will be q
strange thing If we do not take men,
treasure and all"
"You have planned it all very neatly,
whether they are the right men or
not" said Jones; but if the affair
were in my hands should have had
a body of police in Jacobson's yard,
and arrested them when they came
down"
(Which would have been never. This
man Small is pretty shrewd fellow.
| He would send a scout on ahead, and il
anything made him suspicious he
would lie snug for another week"
but you might have stuck &c
their hiding-place," said |.
"In that case should have wasted
my day think that it is a hundred
to one against Smith knowing where
they live. AS long as he has liquor
and good pay, why should he ask qucs
tions? They send him messages what
to do. No. thought over every pos
ible course, and this is the best"
While this conversation had been
proceeding, we had been shooting the
long series of bridges which span the
Thames AS we passed the city the las,
rays Of the sun were gliding the cross
upon the summit of st. Paul's. II was
twilight before we reached the tower.
THAT is Jacobson's yard" said
Holmes, pointing to bristle Of masts
and rigging on the Surrey side.
Cruise gently mp and down here under
cover Of this STRING ~ iirhtcrs.' lie
took pair Of ri.rh' 'rla,>cs from bis
ooc.;et ri,d .'H '".' ."ir" 'ir'c at the
shore. 81 see my sentry at his post, "
he remarked, but no sign of hand
kerchicf."
Suppose we go down stream a short
way and lie in wait for Them" said
Jones, eagerly. We were all eager by
this time even the policemen and stolS-
ers, who had a very vague idea of what
was going forward.
1--WE have no right TO take any
thing for granted" Holmes answered.
1T is certainly ten TO one that they 60
down stream, but we cannot he certain.
From this point we can see the en-
trance to the yard, and they can hardly
see MS. II Will be a clear night and
plenty OF light. We must stay where
we are. See how the folk swarm over
yondcr in the gaslight."
They are coming from work in the
yard"
"Dirty-loolsing rascals. but sup
pose every one has some little immortal
spark concealed about him. You
would not think it, to look at them
There is no priori probability abou,
it. strange enigma is man"
NSoIpa opu calls him a CON, cNpca, To-