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She is down the river somewhere.

I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back.

You must divide it out among yourselves and do both banks thoroughly.

Let me know the moment you have news.

Is that all clear?"

"Yes, guv'nor," said Wiggins.

"The old scale of pay, and a guinea to the boy who finds the boat. Here's a day in advance. Now off you go!"

He handed them a shilling each, and away they buzzed down the stairs, and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street.

"If the launch is above water they will find her," said Holmes as he rose from the table and lit his pipe.

"They can go everywhere, see everything, overhear everyone.

I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her.

In the meanwhile, we can do nothing but await results.

We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. Mordecai Smith."

"Toby could eat these scraps, I dare say. Are you going to bed, Holmes?"

"No: I am not tired.

I have a curious constitution.

I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely.

I am going to smoke and to think over this queer business to which my fair client has introduced us.

If ever man had an easy task, this of ours ought to be.

Wooden-legged men are not so common, but the other man must, I should think, be absolutely unique."

"That other man again!"

"I have no wish to make a mystery of him to you, anyway. But you must have formed your own opinion. Now, do consider the data. Diminutive footmarks, toes never fettered by boots, naked feet, stone-headed wooden mace, great agility, small poisoned darts. What do you make of all this?"

"A savage!" I exclaimed. "Perhaps one of those Indians who were the associates of Jonathan Small."

"Hardly that," said he.

"When first I saw signs of strange weapons I was inclined to think so, but the remarkable character of the footmarks caused me to reconsider my views.

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