The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-12-12

ssI1s,st me, alice. I eoiJl ind him."
appeared no less serious-far from that.
But seemed to have thrown off heavy
fetters and to be graphing with the sit
uation now in good earnest.
First I stepped across to Bowser's
chambers, but as I assembled the stair
case saw, with a sinking hope, that
his outer door was closed, a sure sign
that he was not there. Nevertheless I
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 a line from Frank.
stood for some minutes meditating
over what course should now pursue.
Suddenly I remembered Frank Bow
ser's words, "I'm hunting about near
the docks at Limehouse. /"
It seemed like a voice, and I was
eager to start.
Having put on thicker coat and se-
lected heavy walking stick, fastened
out again into the night and turned my
steps toward Limehouse.
When I reached the railway terminus,
near Fenchurch street, was told that
train would start for the docks in few
minutes, and as I hurried up the stair
case it came slowly into the station.
A journey across the tops Of houses
and through smoke issuing from for
est Of chimneys is not, at the best OF
seasons, calculated to awake cheerful
thoughts. To me, glancing out Of the
window at this dismal prospect, or what
glimpses were visible in the dark night,
the effect was so depressing that I
again became troubled with melancholy
forebodings, and yet as we tore along
toward the docks these forebodings de-
veloped into no distinct fear in my
mind. They were shadowy, like the
housetops and the smoking forest Of
chimneys. They conveyed no meaning
beyond a general sense Of gloom
Limehouse was reached at last. Turn
ing down the street to the left after leay-
ing the station, I walked quickly along
in the direction which leads through
narrow ways and over IRON bridges Into
the Old Ferry road It was my inten-
ton, when got there, to make In
quiries at the police station concerning
Frank Bowser, for he had mentioned
having taken detectives into his conf
dence, and there, ! thought lshould be
most likely to gain informat IN about
him.
The way was straight and sufficiently
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
tar apart, and as ] hurried along not a
person passed me on the way.
had walked some distance along
this dark roadway, sometimes gaining
IA glimpse Of the canal or Of wharf as
i crossed the bridge, but always coming
again into the shadow Of these high
walls, when suddenly I saw, in this dim
hight. solitary figure approaching-a
figure with slouohing swing about the
shoulders, which made my heart beat
quickly. Walking with hurried step,
this figure soon became more distinct,
and in another minute I had recognized
the face.
But as the figure passed by I could
lind no voice. If a sound had escaped
my lips, it must have been cry Of hor-
ror. As had seen the face of scroggie
on the preceding night, SO had seen it
now, pale and haggard, with the eyes
of a 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 ran on, for fancied that I recog-
nized Frank Bowser's voice among
them.
AS T came in sight of the Old Ferry
road some one stepped abruptly in my
path and turned the light Of a dark Ian
tern full in my face. Itwas constable,
who eyed me with evident suspicion.
When / mentioned Bowser's name
and told him who was, the man ap-
peared satisfied, for he said, Come this
way, and making beckonin3 motion
with his lantern walked down the road.
Something in his manner suggested a
dreadful thought. a question was on
my lips, but I feared to ask it and fol
lowed him in silence.
At corner of the road we found an
other constable. He came forward as
we approached and turned his lantern
upon me as the other had done.
'.Friend of his, % said my conductor,
introducing me, 'friend from the tenn
pie -
"Right, " said the other in swapping
manner.
now observed third lantern flash
xr,hinh