Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-06-07

on trivial subjects with Miss Pilzing-
ton over cups of tea; and when | rose,
and held out my hand, she said in a
lofty manner:
Tell Mr.. Bowser, when you see him,
that like punctuality. l have been ac-
customed to it, in India, all my life.
Good evening"
l had scarcely reached the first land
ing when | was arrested by hearing
Alice Darell's voice
Stay one moment, please" said
Alice, as she descended the staircase,
and stood looking up beseechingly into
my face. II must hear the truth, II
anything has happened to Frank do
not conceal it from me"
| no longer doubted that she knew of
his mad scheme, and disapproved of it
strongly.
Nothing has happened" said l. "that
know Of"
But you have some reason to be so
anxious?"
Yes" 1 said, ITS no use trying to
hide that from you.
Where is he to-night?"
Il cannot tell you. am going to
| look for him now"
Alice glanced up the stairs and then
into my face distractedly.
II wish l could come, too"
l took her hand and said:
Trust me, Alice; will find him 1t
is cruel to give you so much anxiety"
She kept hold of my. hand for while
as though it linked her to her lover;
and then she gave me a grateful smile,
released my hand, and allowed me to
leave her without another word.
glanced back when | reached the
hall. She still stood motionless on the
staircase where hal left her, with her
hands clasped and her eyes bent
thoughtfully to the ground.
w.
AS soon as reached the street sprang
into cab which was passing and drove
back to the Temple. If had been re-
leased from prison | could not have ex-
perienced a greater sense Of freedom,
though the position of affairs appeared
no less serious-far from that. But
seemed to have thrown off heavy fet-
ters and to be graphing with the situa-
ton now in good earnest.
First | stepped across to Bowser's
chamber; but as | ascended the stair
case, l saw, with sinking hope, that
his outer door was closed, sure sign
that he was not there. Nevertheless, l
knocked loudly but | received no an
swer.
Next | went to my own rooms. l
searched in my box for letters. There
were several, but not line from Frank.
| stood for some minutes meditating
over what course | should now pursue.
Suddenly / remembered Frank Bow
ser's words: I'm hunting about near
the docks at Limehouse."
1t seemed like voice, and was eager
to start.
Having put on thicker coat and Sc,
lected heavy walking stick hastened
out again into the night and turned my
steps toward Limehouse.
When | reached the railway terminus
near Fenchurch street was told that
a train would start for the docks in
a few minutes, and as / hurried up the
staircase it came slowly into the station.
Limehouse was reached at last. Turn
ing down the street to the left after
leaving the station | walked quickly
along in the direction which leads
through narrow ways and over iron
bridges into the Old Ferry road. 1t
was my intention, when l got there, to
make inquiries at the police station
concerning Frank Bowser for he had
mentioned having taken detectives into
his condolences; and there, l thought,
should be most likely to gain inforna-
tion about him.
The way was straight and suffi-
ciently well lighted until / came to the
Bridge road. But here the great dock
walls, like the walls of prison, rose up
on each side, and the lamps were dim
and far apart, and as | hurried along
not person passed me on the way.
had walked some distance along this
dark roadway, sometimes gaining a
view of the canal or of wharf as |
crossed a bridge, but always coming
again into the shadow of these high
walls, when suddenly saw, in this dim
hight, solitary figure approsching-a
figure with slouching swing about the
shoulders which made my heart beat
| quickly. Walking with a hurried STEP
this figure soon became more distinct
and in another minute had recognized
the face.
But as the figure passed by, | could
find no voice. If sound had escaped
my lips it must have been cry of hor-
ror AS l had seen the face of Scroggie
on the preceding night, so had seen it
now, pale and haggard, with the eyes
of hunted animal, dead beaten, and
nearly brought to bay But there was
something more than that; there was an
indescribable expression of some fresh
crime committed, overshadowing him,
and he seemed to be cropping his way,
like a man who is eager to avert his
own destruction. So he went by, and
not word or look was exchanged be-
tween us. So he passed into the dark
ness and out of sight.
Voices now reached me from the di-
rection in which Scroggie had come, and