edmanagementhere.”
Hewasapproachingthedoorofthehouse,whenitopened,andalittle,curly-headedladofsixcamerunningout,followedbyastoutish,red-facedwomanwithalargespongeinherhand.
“Youcomebackandbewashed,Jack,”sheshouted.“Comeback,youyoungimpforifyourfathercomeshomeandfindsyoulikethat,he’llletushearofit.”
“Dearlittlechap!”saidHolmes,strategically.“Whatarosy-cheekedyoungrascal!Now,Jack,isthereanythingyouwouldlike?”
Theyouthponderedforamoment.“I’dlikeashillin’,”saidhe.
“Nothingyouwouldlikebetter?”
“I’dliketwoshillin’better,”theprodigyanswered,aftersomethought.
“Hereyouare,then!Catch!—Afinechild,Mrs.Smith!”
“Lor’blessyou,sir,heisthat,andforward.Hegetsa’mosttoomuchformetomanage,’speciallywhenmymanisawaydaysatatime.”
“Away,ishe?”saidHolmes,inadisappointedvoice.“Iamsorryforthat,forIwantedtospeaktoMr.Smith.”
“He’sbeenawaysinceyesterdaymornin’,sir,and,truthtotell,Iambeginnin’tofeelfrightenedabouthim.Butifitwasaboutaboat,sir,maybeIcouldserveaswell.”
“Iwantedtohirehissteamlaunch.”
“Why,blessyou,sir,itisinthesteamlaunchthathehasgone.That’swhatpuzzlesmeforIknowthereain’tmorecoalsinherthanwouldtakehertoaboutWoolwichandback.Ifhe’dbeenawayinthebargeI’dha’thoughtnothin’formanyatimeajobhastakenhimasfarasGravesend,andtheniftherewasmuchdoin’therehemightha’stayedover.Butwhatgoodisasteamlaunchwithoutcoals?”
“Hemighthaveboughtsomeatawharfdowntheriver.”
“Hemight,sir,butitweren’thisway.ManyatimeI’veheardhimcalloutatthepricestheychargeforafewoddbags.Besides,Idon’tlikethatwooden-leggedman,wi’hisuglyfaceandoutlandishtalk.Whatdidhewantalwaysknockin’aboutherefor?”
“Awooden-leggedman?”saidHolmes,withblandsurprise.
“Yes,sir,abrown,monkey-facedchapthat’scalledmore’nonceformyoldman.Itwashimthatrousedhimupyesternight,and,what’smore,mymanknewhewascomin’,forhehadsteamupinthelaunch.Itellyoustraight,sir,Idon’tfeeleasyinmymindaboutit.”
“But,mydearMrs.Smith,”saidHolmes,shrugginghi