"
"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 yard, 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
sixteenth--Jacobson's--I 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.
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