Iuka reporter., 1890-04-17


driver await Ills return, made his way
swiftly out upon the long pier TO the
farthest eud. II was dark, perfectly
dark, but the detective produced small
"bull's-eye" lantern which threw liaht
upon the scene and revealcd-nothing
No sign, no trace Of any liviug-or dead
creature.
A great blank space, washed by the
black waters down below, hut no trace
of human presence.
Having satisfied himself upon that
point, Ludlowe closed the lantern and
went back to the waiting cab jus. as
the church clock near tolled the half
hour.
Drive back TO the police hoa dquar.
ters!" he ordered the driver. as he sank
upon the cushioned seat, strange i'm.
pulse prompting him 10 return TO his
Office before going home. II was
nearly ten when he once more unlocked
its door, and, entering, stirred the
sleeping fire into cheerful glow. and
then sank into leathern chair
before it.
Can anything be wrong?s he NUT
'ered, his ruddy face growing pale and
anxious. "Can anything have hap.
pened to Arthur? II so, | shall alvavs
blame myself for not flying to MIN nc
once when ] received his note. But I
thought l was acting for the best, aud
that it would please the boy to work out
his own plans without my interfer.
ence! what's that in Heaven
name"
He started to his feet, pale and as
tonished. The door of the Office had
been pushed slowly open, and there.
before Ludlowe's astonished gaze,
stood drenched, dripping figure, with
water streaming from his garments,
and forming little pools upon the Office
floor.
Arthur! Good heavens! What has
hsppened?'
A faint smile touched Arthur Wynne's
lip for an instant. He stepped inside,
and closed the door.
Pretty near dead, Ludlowe," he
painted. Give me something warm,
and I'll tell YOU all"
Chief Ludlowe sprang 10 the door
and locked it. Then he went TO
small cupboard and drew forth we'll
filled decanter, and the necessary ma
terials for toddy, which he proceeded
TO mix.
Arthur drank it, lowering over the
fire meanwhile like one freezing. Ind
lowe hastened to an adjoining room.
returning in a brief space.
There's suit of clothes of mine in
therep he said. "You know / always
keep an extra suit here as I often find
it useful Go in and change your we,
garments, then / will hear what YOU
have to say
The young man obeyed, returning in
few moments, warm and drv, to find
that the Chief had taken the opportuui-
ty to place nice lunch upon the
table.
Nothing better to keep off a chill.
my boy, he observed, wheeling an easy
chair MP to the table; and now tell
me, in Heavens name, how you got iu-
to such fix
Arthur smiled, but his face grew
paler.
i came near passing in my checks
he began. you see, went
down to the pier to keep that appoint
nent"
More fool you! +" interposed the Chief,
bluntly. "See here, Wynne. When you
are as old man, and as experienced q
detective as I am, you will pay no heed
10 anonymous advice"
you are right, ] suppose" returned
Arthur; "but have proved, beyond
doubt, that Mark Alleyne had some
hand in Ruby Lawrence's disappear.
ance!"
"Hal" Ludlowe was interested at
once.
"You see," went on Arthur, quietly.
when Invent out upon the pier it seems
that Alleyne was there before me; and
he just quietly and coolly pitched me
into the water!"
"Humph!" chuckled Ludlowe, II
knew it! OF course, what else could
you expect when you accept such inyi-
Well, what next?
Arthur smiled again.
The sharpest rogue will overreach
himself some time" the young man
went on quietly; "and as I went over
the side of the pier and struck the
black water below ugh! But it was
cold, Ludlowe y heard him say:
so! I'll sweep them all out OF my
PATH First, the girl; and now, her
loyerr"
Ludlowe was pacing slowly up and
down the Office floor.
He came to halt, his hands behind
his back, thoughtful expression upon
his grave face.
"Well-that is something!" ho OBJ
served. But tell me, Arthur, how did
you escape 20 soon from the lake, in
which he expected you to find a watery
grave?'
"You surely cannot believe me quite
devoid OF sense, Mr.. Ludlowe?" que
ried Arthur, suppressing smile.
"You cannot believe that would be
guilty OF going to that meeting ON the
pier without first preparing myself for
The night was very
dark; / wore cloak and life-pre-
server; when ! went overheard, the
saving Of my life was only question
Of time.
II swan to the shore as easily as a
duck would have done. Before Mark
Alleyne was scarcely out of sight, L
was on shore, had thrown away nv life
preserver, and had started by the short
est cut fce the Office, and you, and here