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 every one. I expect to hear
before evening that they have spotted her. In the mean while, 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.
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