The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-05


sergeant more; but Frank noticed
Z he dropped behind half as tho to keep
him easily in sight. 1t the young
uncomfortable feeling, but he deter
41 -~- mined to show resentment.
they London bridge and
Lang pointed to the steps leading the river.
1.-The police galey's waiting for us off the stairs
said he
The galley was manned by four Of the river police.
Frank stepped in first and his companion followed sitting
his side in the whispered between
sergeant and the faced him. the signal
given to start.
The moved like parts a machine with long low.
strokes, SOULS almost noselessy in the
rowlocks and the blades dipping smoothly into the dark
water tho they had been Oiled
The night fine only slight mist yelled the
The boat able therefore, to good
The rumble OF the traffic on London bridge soon became
subdued hum and then ceased altogether by the time the
Pool reached the shipping, the lighters,
the Midway barges the infinite variety of craft which
cluster this of the river formed themselves into
shadowy pictures each melting into another as the
glided along.
But Frank had eye pictures that night. The
encounter with the man the police called Silent Ned'
fresh in his mind, and might almost in his
body too for he had by this time become conscious that
bruised and stiff the effects of the fellows iron grip
and of the fall The surroundings the srangeness OF the
enterprise ITSELF the silence the suggestive of
50 many charons even the dark flowing river and the
gentle swaying motion of the boat filled his mind with
overpowerng of weird mystery. '-' =
Suddenly the sergeant held his hand and the boat
stopped. It was in 1nid-stream; running
down swiftly prevent galley drifting
y padded The heads of all turned towards gaunt,
block buildings isolated Rother
hthe side Of the river. -
"What Dick?" asked the sergeant in, as
Frank thought rath a bantering tone.
Nothing, sir"
passed this place times at
all hours night for three weeks and have
the light you about What make of that?'
ut don't follow because amt it for three
weeks didn't it I told SIR said the
doggedy. ..... --...... ~.
"Get on was his superior's answer and once more
dipped
The boat moved much slower than before. The
bending forward peered into the darkness.
'I4ist' said he softly. "That's boat isn't it?'
They passing off
coal barges were moored Between this wharf and Cherry
Garden pier distance of fifty yards couple
of boats fastened to old hulk of barge which had
it's last voyage awaiting the ship breaker.
In obedience to the sergeants instructions the police
rowed the galley close to the shore and when they
enough of the flashed bulIs-eye lantern
the suspicious boat The letters sally Rotherhite
painted inside.
Fright! thought So" exclaimed the sergeant in a
satisfaction He be at the Steam Packet.
Pull in lads"
The landing were not more than hundred yards
distant and moorng the boat to ring in the WALL the
81 want you Mr. Holt to inquire at the public for Ned
Coxen" said Sergeant Lang "They don't know
won't suspect anything. Keep they're
but there's nothing afraid Better
be the safe side tho. Take this whistle and if
you're in sort of fix blow it. Go boldly to the
landlord and say in Whisper Tell Ned Coxen Grit
fths of New York wants him at the old place at once
But suppose this fellow sees and recognizes meg? OBJ
jected Frank.
'.He's sure not to do that We've shadowed him to
rights this last fortnight and know his too WELL He's
the bar always goes into the
back All you've got to do is to deliver
and sharp If Ned's there he'll
and steal out, and shall nab him. Grif
fths is the head of the in New York. dye see?"
Frank had his coat collar turned stained
the with the mud of Piccadily and with his
hat cracked and bent his
to excite remark from the riverside loafers
Holding the whistle in his hand that he might
readiness if need be- he entered the hot sitting
reeing with tobacco and the fumes OF beer
public -house.
A knot Of brown-bearded arguing noisily
in front of the bar the landlord short thick man with
OCk Smo
clay pipe and throwing word again
cussion The place small Frank haG his
the disputants, who absorbed
notice him.
The landlords sharp however, instantly caught
sight intruder. give time to say
anything but leaning the counter his
exactly the sergeant had told him.
A the landlord made was to elevate his
eyebrows momentarily and disappear.
Frank did not wait second, but elbowed way out
thos the