Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-09-15

difficult, REQUIRED to his memory. How
was it possible to account for the en-
trance of man into the machine?
1t was half past one and there were
very few people bathing as Mr.. Padger
mentally tried to reduce the distance be-
tween the men S bathing place and tn
spot where the machine had stood, but
mere argument will not reduce $50 yards
by a single inch and he had to give 1t up
in despair.
AS he lay on his back vaguely watch
ing the glistening sea from under the
brim of his hat, he saw one of the few
remaining bathers swim out to the guard
boat, which still lowered about, and
climb into it by means of short flight OF
steps alta ched by hooks to the stern.
For some moments he stood like bronze
statue in dark relief against the gleam-
ing expanse beyond him, and then
bringing his hands together he plunged
into the water and temporarily vanished.
Mr.. Padger sprang to his feet as if he
had been stung by a lurking scorpion.
Rapidly he measured with his eye the
distance between the boat and the i'm
portant spot 1t could not be more than
one hundred yards, say one hundred and
ten to be safe, and even then, though
| unusual, it was no longer impossible.
! His theory was once more brought within
the bounds of reason.
He waited about with growing impa-
tience, until the last bather had left the
| water, the last machine had been hauled
up high and dry, and then at length he
saw with delight the old boatman make
| for the little pier and prepare to lay up
his boat for the day.
Hastily he turned his steps in the same
| nd TYonnaoP6 n the
| bronzed and silver-haired old tar just as
| he was leaving.
warm day - remarked Mr.. Padger
genially.
AYE, sir, - replied the sailor.
"Dry work that of yours, continued
Mr.. Padger.
''It is that -
"Perhaps you would like a wet?'
''Were you thinking of standing one?'
| asked the old man, with the habitual
caution of his class.
81 was, - said Mr.. Padger.
''Lor' low 'ee!' said the man with
much alacrity; 81 haint the one to stand
in your light then
l. In q few minutes they were seated in
the sanded parlor of a small public
house, and provided with a tankard of
excellent ale apiece.
''Rather dull work yours, isn't it?
said Mr. Padger, after the man had
taken a long draught and smacked his
| lips approvingly.
"Oh, no, sir, - he said. cit ain It
half so bad as 1t might be. Lots of 'em
comes to dive off of my boat, and they
| likes a crack wi old Griggs, they do. -
~ suppose some of them come pretty
regularly - suggested Mr.. Padger.
''Some on 'em comes pretty reg lar :,
as you say, sir. and others again comes
once or twicet, and then never comes
again -
s'You get to know the regular ones
pretty well don t You?''
''Oh, yes, l knows some of 'em.
There's Mr.. Trevanion; he's a nice
gentleman, he is And Mr.. Garner,
he's another And the old man
wandered off into long-winded dlquisi-
ton upon the merits and dement's of his
regular acquaintance.
''Do you remember the day of the
murder?'' euqulred Mr.. Padger, who
despaired of getting the information he
wanted by roundabout methods.
Remember it, 1 Amt likely to forget
II in a hurry. That wer' a rummy start
that wer' -
''You had lots of divers that day,
daresay
"a goodish few, expecs.
"'Did you notice anybody in particular
that day?"
Now, I can't say as I did. -
''See If you can t remember, -
''Weu, there was one gentleman, come
to think of it, - said the salt, when his
memory had been refreshed by the re-
ulenshment of his tankard.
"What about hiIn2'
''He wore such a funny foreign looking
bathing dress, more like a lady's A
body he had TO it, if you II believe me,
like a sailors jersey without sleeves.
And IN tell yer another queer thing
about him, he had pockets in hi:
breeches.
"'Pockets!'' said Mr.. Padger
''That's rather unusual, ism t it?'
81 never seed such a thing afore.
shouldn't had noticed it then, but ht
stood looking about a good bit afore hi
} dived, a-looklEg out like, and he KEEP hi
hands in them -
.'Stood about, did he?'' said Mr., Pad,
ger thoughtfully.
.'Ah, that he did. Seemed as if HI
couldn t make up his mind to go in anC
get it over. Sorter watching and spying
uneasy like.
"What time was that?" asked Mr.
Padger eagerly.
''Time? All, that S more n 1 can tel
you. -
Twas it before, or after one?''
'Can t say, I'm sure, said the sailO
unhesitatingly.
"But he did dive, suppose, F." saii
Mr. Padger.
''Oh yes, he Owed, and very nicely h
did it, too, -
''Now, look here said MIR. Padge
earnestly, 81 want you to tell me on
thing, but be sure you think well first
, Did you see him come up agaiu?'
Ibid I?' said the old man, scratch
ing his head, with puzzled air. g
disremember. Did 1? No!' he ex
claimed suddenly, 81 didn't. Jest q
, that moment a lady screamed, ana
rowed off. She thought she had tn
cramp, but she hadn t. -
''What was this gentleman like?'
Like? Like q gentleman.
, ''Should you know him again?'
, ''WeH do know ~ should know hi
: : bathing dress anywheres.,,' said the ma