Знак чотирьох
X. The End of the Islander
‘Thereain’tnaughtamisswithherrudder,’saidtheforeman.‘Thereshelies,withtheredstreaks.’AtthatmomentwhoshouldcomedownbutMordecaiSmith,themissingowner?Hewasrathertheworseforliquor.Ishouldnot,ofcourse,haveknownhim,buthebellowedouthisnameandthenameofhislaunch.‘Iwantherto-nightateighto’clock,’saidhe,—‘eighto’clocksharp,mind,forIhavetwogentlemenwhowon’tbekeptwaiting.’Theyhadevidentlypaidhimwell,forhewasveryflushofmoney,chuckingshillingsabouttothemen.Ifollowedhimsomedistance,buthesubsidedintoanale-house:soIwentbacktotheyard,and,happeningtopickuponeofmyboysontheway,Istationedhimasasentryoverthelaunch.Heistostandatwater’sedgeandwavehishandkerchieftouswhentheystart.Weshallbelyingoffinthestream,anditwillbeastrangethingifwedonottakemen,treasure,andall.”
“Youhaveplanneditallveryneatly,whethertheyaretherightmenornot,”saidJones;“butiftheaffairwereinmyhandsIshouldhavehadabodyofpoliceinJacobson’sYard,andarrestedthemwhentheycamedown.”
“Whichwouldhavebeennever.ThismanSmallisaprettyshrewdfellow.Hewouldsendascoutonahead,andifanythingmadehimsuspiciousliesnugforanotherweek.”
“ButyoumighthavestucktoMordecaiSmith,andsobeenledtotheirhiding-place,”saidI.
“InthatcaseIshouldhavewastedmyday.IthinkthatitisahundredtooneagainstSmithknowingwheretheylive.
