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shoot him dead。〃 He took out his revolver as he spoke； and； having
loaded two of the chambers； he put it back into the right…hand pocket of
his jacket。
We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down
the half…rural villa…lined roads which lead to the metropolis。 Now；
however； we were beginning to come among continuous streets； where
laborers and dockmen were already astir； and slatternly women were
taking down shutters and brushing door…steps。 At the square…topped
corner public houses business was just beginning； and rough…looking men
were emerging； rubbing their sleeves across their beards after their
morning wet。 Strange dogs sauntered up and stared wonderingly at us as
we passed； but our inimitable Toby looked neither to the right nor to the
left； but trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an occasional
eager whine which spoke of a hot scent。
We had traversed Streatham； Brixton； Camberwell； and now found
ourselves in Kennington Lane； having borne away through the side… streets
to the east of the Oval。 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
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The Sign of the Four
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。 I cold see by the gleam in Holmes's eyes that he
thought we were nearing the end of our journey。
Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and
Nelson's large timber…yard； just past the White Eagle tavern。 Here the
dog； frantic with excitement； turned down through the side…gate into the
enclosure； where the sawyers were already at work。 On the dog raced
through sawdust and shavings； down an alley； round a passage； between
two wood…piles； and finally； with a triumphant yelp； sprang upon a large
barrel which still stood upon the hand…trolley on which it had been brought。
With lolling tongue and blinking eyes； Toby stood upon the cask； looking
from one to the other of us for some sign of appreciation。 The staves of
the barrel and the wheels of the trolley were smeared with a dark liquid；
and the whole air was heavy with the smell of creasote。
Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each other； and then burst
simultaneously into an uncontrollable fit of laughter。
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The Sign of the Four
CHAPTER VIII The Baker Street
Irregulars
〃What now？〃 I asked。 〃Toby has lost his character for infallibility。〃
〃He acted according to his lights；〃 said Holmes； lifting him down from
the barrel and walking him out of the timber…yard。 〃If you consider how
much creasote is carted about London in one day； it is no great wonder
that our trail should have been crossed。 It is much used now； especially
for the seasoning of wood。 Poor Toby is not to blame。〃
〃We must get on the main scent again； I suppose。〃
〃Yes。 And； fortunately； we have no distance to go。 Evidently what
puzzled the dog at the corner of Knight's Place was that there were two
different trails running in opposite directions。 We took the wrong one。
It only remains to follow the other。〃
There was no difficulty about this。 On leading Toby to the place
where he had committed his fault； he cast about in a wide circle and
finally dashed off in a fresh direction。
〃We must take care that he does not now bring us to the place where
the creasote…barrel came from；〃 I observed。
〃I had thought of that。 But you notice that he keeps on the pavement；
whereas the barrel passed down the roadway。 No； we are on the true
scent now。〃
It tended down towards the river…side； running through Belmont Place
and Prince's Street。 At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the
water's edge； where there was a small wooden wharf。 Toby led us to the
very edge of this； and there stood whining； looking out on the dark current
beyond。
〃We are out of luck；〃 said Holmes。 〃They have taken to a boat here。〃
Several small punts and skiffs were lying about in the water and on the
edge of the wharf。 We took Toby round to each in turn； but； though he
sniffed earnestly； he made no sign。
Close to the rude landing…stage was a small brick house； with a
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wooden placard slung out through the second window。 〃Mordecai
Smith〃 was printed across it in large letters； and； underneath； 〃Boats to
hire by the hour or day。〃 A second inscription above the door informed
us that a steam launch was kept；a statement which was confirmed by a
great pile of coke upon the jetty。 Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round；
and his face assumed an ominous expression。
〃This looks bad；〃 said he。 〃These fellows are sharper than I expected。
They seem to have covered their tracks。 There has； I fear； been
preconcerted management here。〃
He was approaching the door of the house； whe