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landing…stage or wharf； nor had it returned。 Yet it could hardly have been
scuttled to hide their traces；though that always remained as a possible
hypothesis if all else failed。 I knew this man Small had a certain degree
of low cunning； but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature
of delicate finesse。 That is usually a product of higher education。 I then
reflected that since he had certainly been in London some timeas we had
evidence that he maintained a continual watch over Pondicherry Lodge
he could hardly leave at a moment's notice； but would need some little
time； if it were only a day； to arrange his affairs。 That was the balance of
probability； at any rate。〃
〃It seems to me to be a little weak；〃 said I。 〃It is more probable that
he had arranged his affairs before ever he set out upon his expedition。〃
〃No； I hardly think so。 This lair of his would be too valuable a retreat
in case of need for him to give it up until he was sure that he could do
without it。 But a second consideration struck me。 Jonathan Small must
have felt that the peculiar appearance of his companion； however much he
may have top…coated him； would give rise to gossip； and possibly be
associated with this Norwood tragedy。 He was quite sharp enough to see
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that。 They had started from their head…quarters 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。 It
would be quite bright； and people would be about in an hour or so。
Therefore； I argued； they did not go very far。 They paid Smith well to
hold his tongue； reserved his launch for the final escape； and hurried to
their lodgings with the treasure… box。 In a 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 already
arranged for passages to America or the Colonies。〃
〃But the launch？ They could not have taken that to their lodgings。〃
〃Quite so。 I argued that the launch must be no great way off； in spite
of its invisibility。 I then put myself in the place of Small； and looked at it
as a man of his capacity would。 He would probably consider that to send
back the launch or to keep it at a wharf would make pursuit easy if the
police did happen to get on his track。 How； then； could he conceal the
launch and yet have her at hand when wanted？ I wondered what I should
do myself if I were in his shoes。 I could only think of one way of doing
it。 I might land the launch over to some boat…builder or repairer； with
directions to make a trifling change in her。 She would then be removed
to his shed or hard； and so be effectually concealed； while at the same time
I could have her at a few hours' notice。〃
〃That seems simple enough。〃
〃It is just these very simple things which are extremely liable to be
overlooked。 However； I determined to act on the idea。 I started at once
in this harmless seaman's rig and inquired at all the yards down the river。
I drew blank at fifteen； but at the sixteenthJacobson'sI learned that the
Aurora had been handed over to them two days ago by a wooden…legged
man； with some trivial directions as to her rudder。 'There ain't naught
amiss with her rudder；' said the foreman。 'There she lies； with the red
streaks。' At that moment who should come down but Mordecai Smith；
the missing owner？ He was rather the worse for liquor。 I should not； of
course； have known him； but he bellowed out his name and the name of
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his launch。 'I want her to…night at eight o'clock；' said he；'eight o'clock
sharp； mind； for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting。' They
had evidently paid him well； for he was very flush of money； chucking
shillings about to the men。 I followed him some distance； but he
subsided into an ale…house： so I went back to the yard； and； happening to
pick up one of my boys on the way； I stationed him as a sentry over the
launch。 He is to stand at water's edge and wave his handkerchief to us
when they start。 We shall be lying off in the stream； and it will be a
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 I 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 a pretty shrewd
fellow。 He would send a scout on ahead； and if anything made him
suspicious lie snug for another week。〃
〃But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith； and so been led to their
hiding…place；〃 said I。
〃In that case I should have wasted my day。 I 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 questions？ They send him messages
what to do。 No； I thought over every possible 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 last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon the summit of St。 Paul's。
It was twilight before we reached the Tower。
〃That is Jacobson's Yard；〃 said Holmes； pointing to a bristle of masts
and rigging on the Surrey side。 〃Cruise gently up and down here under
cover of this string of lighters。〃 He took a pair of night…glasses from his
pocket and gazed some time at the shore。 〃I see my sentry at his post；〃
he remarked； 〃but no sign of a handkerchief。〃
〃Suppose we go down…stream a short way and lie in wait for