4 The Boat Chase

Chapter 4 The Boat Chase Despite Holmes's confident prediction, Wiggins reported in the evening that no trace of the Aurora could be found. Holmes barely slept that night. I could hear him pacing his room. At breakfast the next morning, he looked pale and haggard. "You look terrible," I remarked. "This problem is consuming me," he admitted. "I know who we are after and the boat they used. We've searched the whole river on both sides with no result. I can't believe they deliberately sank the craft. Surely we'll hear something today."

We didn't. Another day and night went by without news, and the following morning I awoke to find Holmes dressed to go out. "I'm off down the river, Watson," he said. "I have one last theory I'd like to try out." "Shall I come with?" "No, I need you here in case Wiggins reports any news."

I waited in the flat all day, but heard nothing. The next morning, the newspapers contained an update on the Upper Norwood tragedy: "Fresh evidence has shown that it was impossible for Thaddeus Sholto to have been involved, and he has been released."

At three o'clock that afternoon, I received a visit from none other than Athelney Jones. He was very different from the confident man of facts and common sense who had taken charge at Upper Norwood. He now appeared despondent, meek, and even apologetic. "Sherlock Holmes is out, I understand?" he said. "That's right, and I'm not sure when he's returning, but you're welcome to wait." "Thank you, I don't mind if I do." After I'd seated him and offered him a drink, he told me the latest on the investigation. "Thaddeus Sholto, it turns out, has witnesses claiming he was elsewhere on the night of his brother's death, which has blown a hole in my case against him. This is a much more complex case than I realized. My professional reputation is at stake, and I would be grateful for some assistance. Your friend Holmes may be unusual in his methods, and a little quick to form his theories, but I've never known a case he hasn't shed light on. I had a wire from him this morning

telling me to wait for him here. He says he's on the track of the Sholto gang." As he spoke, we heard footsteps ascending the stairs, and Holmes entered. "Ah, you got my message then?" he said to Jones. "How's the case going?" "It's come to nothing. I've had to release one of my prisoners and have no evidence against the other two." "Never mind, I shall give you two more to take their place. You can take all the credit for solving it, so long as you follow my instructions." "Of course," said Jones. "Just tell me what to do." "Can you provide a fast police boat at the Westminster wharf at seven o'clock this evening? We'll need two policemen onboard in case we meet trouble." "No problem. Anything else?" "I'd like, if I may, a private interview with Jonathan Small once we've captured him." "Since you identified the man, I can hardly refuse you that," said Jones. "Excellent."

The three of us had an early dinner, then made our way over to the Westminster wharf, where the launch was waiting for us. We stepped aboard and the ropes were cast off. "Where to?" asked Jones. "The Tower of London. Tell them to stop opposite Jacobson's Yard." We chugged onto the river, soon picking up speed and flying past the lines of barges as if they were stationary. "Hopefully we'll be quick enough to catch the Aurora, which is said to be very fast," said Holmes. "How did you find her?" I asked.