The men whom we pursued seemed
to have taken a curiously zigzag road, with the idea probably of
escaping observation. They had never kept to the main road if a
parallel side-street would serve their turn. At the foot of
Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left through Bond
Street and Miles Street. Where the latter street turns into
Knight's Place, Toby ceased to advance, but began to run
backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other
drooping, the very picture of canine indecision. Then he waddled
round in circles, looking up to us from time to time, as if to
ask for sympathy in his embarrassment.
"What the deuce is the matter with the dog?" growled Holmes.
"They surely would not take a cab, or go off in a balloon."
"Perhaps they stood here for some time," I suggested.
"Ah! it's all right. He's off again," said my companion, in a
tone of relief.
He was indeed off, for after sniffing round again he suddenly
made up his mind, and darted away with an energy and
determination such as he had not yet shown. The scent appeared
to be much hotter than before, for he had not even to put his
nose on the ground, but tugged at his leash and tried to break
into a run.
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