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"And was this wooden-legged man alone?"

"Couldn't say, I am sure, sir I didn't hear no one else"

"I am sorry, Mrs Sood reports of the--Let me see, what is her nareen launch with a yellow line, very broad in the bea as any on the river She's been fresh painted, black with two red streaks"

"Thanks I hope that you will hear soon fro down the river; and if I should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him know that you are uneasy A black funnel, you say?"

"No, sir Black with a white band"

"Ah, of course It was the sides which were black Good-, Mrs Smith--There is a boatman here with a wherry, Watson We shall take it and cross the river

"Thewith people of that sort," said Holmes, as we sat in the sheets of the wherry, "is never to let thehtest importance to you If you do, they will instantly shut up like an oyster If you listen to theet what you want"

"Our course now seems pretty clear," said I

"What would you do, then?"

"I would engage a launch and go down the river on the track of the Aurora"

"My dear fellow, it would be a colossal task She may have touched at any wharf on either side of the streae there is a perfect labyrinth of landing-places for miles It would take you days and days to exhaust them, if you set about it alone"

"Employ the police, then"

"No I shall probably call Athelney Jones in at the last moment He is not a bad fellow, and I should not like to do anything which would injure hi it out one so far"

"Could we advertise, then, asking for inforers?"

"Worse and worse! Our men would know that the chase was hot at their heels, and they would be off out of the country As it is, they are likely enough to leave, but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will be in no hurry Jones's energy will be of use to us there, for his view of the case is sure to push itself into the daily press, and the runaill think that every one is off on the wrong scent"