The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-19


order not TO lose sight of him.
knew the west-end of London pretty we'll,
but we were evidently far in the east, and I had
no knowledge of our whereabouts.
The houses on either side of the street looked
wIetched In the extreme, seen as they we're by
the feeble light of two street lamps placed at
long intervals apart. Late as IL was, there were
dim lights within some of the rooms, and as we
passed along we heard voices, some loud in
quarrel, others roaring In chorus AT two of
the doOrways sat huddied up In their filthy rags
poor drunken wretches who had staggered to
the entrance of their miserable homes, and had
been unable to obtain admittance. The rain
continued to fall heavily, splashing upon the
pavement, and pouring down here and there
from the dilapidated water-pipes above. The
wind dashed the rain about, and ratified against
the Window-frames not at all times filed with
glass; every now and then Il nearly blinded me
az it blew the rain into my face, and at last
found its way through my thick outer coat,
chilling the marrow in my bones.
Neither nor my omDanion had exchanged o
word; but at last called to him:-
"Hi my man? How much further have we
to 9oY am getting tired and cold"
81 don't wonder at II, I'm like ice, I am,n re-
piled the man; 'theIe's not public open either,
10 get n drop to warm one"
well, answer my question:" said.
"Oh, ab well, it's at the bottom of the next
street that runs down to the river. 1 expects
we're too late. Howsomever, we've loss no
time, have weW
1 briefly answered NO." aud followed on in
silence.
The street we soon entered was more
wTetched, il possible, than the one we had
just Iaversed and the few lights on the river
discernible Though the rain only made the
oeeolateness more apparent.
"Here's the crib, mister" said my guide
stopping before dilapidated house; ''you must
60 right through the passage-here's a string
somewhere here which pulls up the latch-and
cross the yard till you come to big door with
Iats nailed on II; knock twice, coslnt four and
knock twice again; somebodyil open the door,
perhaps and if So say you want Mr.. DAVIS
business down here"
Ell confess to a moments hesitation before I
proceeded to put into practice the instructions
of my guide, but the thought of Miss Gaveston
gave me renewed courage, and / entered the
passage OF the house. AS l groped my way along
was mace aware that my footing was not the
most secure, as more than once the rottIng
boards broke under my tread, and was glad
TO reach the open yard, though | could scarcely
see my hand before me. With less difficulty
than had anticipated, l found the door at which
was to give the mysterious signal l did as /
had been Instructed, and after a short interval
the door opened, and Mr.. Gaveston presented
himself. He was very unlike the respectable
gentleman had met at Sir Johns, but | recog-
nized him instantly. He wore long pilot coat
reaching to his feet, and rough fur cap on his
head.
"What do you want, my man?" he asked.
| opened the top of my outer coat, and showed
him the silk cravat around my neck.
always alarming herself unnecessarily. Be
prudent, aud follow me.n
l obeyed, and soon found myself in a low
room nearly filled with tobacco-smoke. Two
fumes which were eXhaled from the pipes OF
some hali.dozen demonstrating fello MS seated
at the table.
Who's this, skipper?" asked one of the men.
"a friend that expected" replied Gaveston.
"And what do you want to meet your friends
in this ken for, Mr.. Davis?" said the man,
rather saucily.
Mr.. Gaveston's reply is not transcribable;
but it was so clear and emphatic that his
questoner threatened to resort to personal
violence, and was supported by two or three
OF bis comrades.
'One step nearer, Grover, and send
bullet through your head. You know how
little mind your threats. | bite and don't
bark" said Mr.. Gaveston. "What do care
Tor, however is a treacherous sneak who for
his own advantage makes terms with the
police"
''Who-mego roared Grover, quite taken
aback.
"Yes, you; and that's what brought my friend
here tonight If you could have got away an
hour ago, as you wanted, we should have had
the blues here by this time"
Growers companions were not men to hear
both sides OF case, and taking it Tor granted
that what Mr.. Gaveston said was true, the un.
lucky accused was instantly subjected to such
rough treatment that it was a wonder he had
not required transmission to the hospital.
During the confusion, GaVeston, grasping my
arm, left the room, and continuing to hold me,
led the way to the river by, what appeared to
be, road undergro und.
The rain had ce ased, but dark lcaden clouds
still rolled overhead, occasionally, however, re-
vealing the full moon, obscured as it seemed by
thick coverings of smoky gauZe AS we drew
nearer to the river, having come forth into the
street, fancied / saw crouchlng in the shadow
OF a 10 W wall human figure. The moon cast Il
momentary light upon tine object, and, muffied
ana disguised as the person was, could have
sworn it was no other than Miss Gaveston. But
in moment the clouds had hidden the moon
again, and the figure had vanished. 1t was
almost low water, and, despite the heavy rain
which had fallen so continuously, the rough
stones OF the 'hard" were slippery with slime
and mud. We succeeded, however, in reaching
a large row-boat in which were two men, evi.
IDENTIFY expecting US. Without speaking, Mr..
Gaveston stepped into the boat, signalling me
TO follow.
"Where are our mates, sir?" asked one of the
men.
"Quarrelling among themselves, as usual"
replied Gavcston, shortly. "We will not wait
tor them. I'll take an oar, and my friend here
Will steer. Take us out to the middle of the
river, and keep a sharp look out, Dorrington.n
1t was evident that Mr.. Gaveston knew me.
My eyes soon became accustomed to the dark
Less, and could see the black hulls OF the We
sells lying at anchor sufficiently TO avoid them,
although more than once the oars touched their
mooTing chains.
No one spoke word for more than half an
hour, until q craft showing a light in her after
cabin was discernible, lying nearly in our direct
course.
'steer alongside the vessel you see ahead"
said Gaveston.
l obeyed; and in few more strokes our boat
graZed the stranger craft, which had been con-
structed for speed, and might have been formerly
a yacht, now condemned to be employed in
traffic more or less honorable The man in the
us fas.e
Gaveston, with agility that surprised ME, as