Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-05-27
Continued from last week
CHAPTER TX.

vi anu CHCt 81. fC" "Sh
knew the seamy side of London better
than John S~teele-its darksome streets
and foul alloys. its novels and various
habitations. And this knowledge he
utilized to the best advantage. always
to find that his efforts am to naught.
Reluctantly John Steele concluded
that the man he sought had made his
way u of London: otherwise the facil-
tiles at his command were suca that
he should most likely ere this have
been able to attain his end-ind what
he desired. Soberly attired. he attract
ed no very marked attention In the
slums. breeding spots of the criminal
classes. The denizens knew John
Steele. He had been there oft before.
He had on occasion assisted some of
them with stern good advice or more
substantial services. He was %acquaint-
ed with these men and women. had
perhaps a larger charity for them than
most people find it expedient to cher
ish. One mar had seen the object of
Steele's solicitude. and to this person,
a weakened little undesirable" the
red headed giant had confded that
London was pretty hot and he thought
of decamping from II.
carter all this time that's gone BY
he says to me. bitter like. to think a
man can't come back to is native 'ome
without being spied on for what ought
long ago to e dead and forgotr"
What brought him to LondonT'
st expect it was 'omesickness. sir.
Els been u bad lot. but e has a cart.
arter all. II was to see is mother e
came back: the old woman drew i'm
ere. You see. e had written 'er from
foreign parts. but could never ear
cause she had moved. Used to KEGS
a place where a woman was found
"Dead?"
1Murdered!' said the a John
Steele was silent. And she, is moth
er, 'ad gone, 'aving saved a bit. out
into a peaceable-like little 'amlet.
where there weren't nc hobbies, only
instead bits of flower gardens and
bright bloomin' daffy-down-dillies. But.
blime me, when Tom come and found
out where she 'ad changed to If she
'adn't gone and shuffied off, and all
e 'ad for is pains was the sight Of a
mound In the churchyard."
Eyes; she's buried" said John Steele
thoughtfully. land all she might have
told about the woman who was-mur-
dered is buried with her,"
~But she did tell, sir, at the time
quickly, "of the trial."
True" The visitors tone changed
eff you can ind Tom give him this
note. You'll be well paid
"I amt askin' for that. You got me
of easy once and gave me a lift artef
I was let OUT
swell, wellT Steele made a brusque
gesture. "We all need a helping hand
sometimes" he said, turning away.
And that was as near as he had
come to attainment of his desires.
Summer passed. Sometimes, the
better to think, to plan, to keep him.
self girded by constant exercise, be
repaired to the park, now neglected by
fashion and given over to that nebu-
lous quantity Of diverse qualities call
ed the people.
"How do you do. Steele? Just the
man l wanted to seer
Near the main exit toward which
John Steele had unconsciousH step
ped the sound of a familiar voice and
the appearance of a well known stocky
form broke In with startling abrupt
ness on the dark train of thought.
deep in some point Of law?" went
on Sir Charles. "'Pon honor, believe
you would have cut me. However
don't apologize; you're forgiven"
'Most amiable of you to say so, Sil
Charles!" perfunctortly.
mot at all! Especially as u meet
ing is quite apropos. Obliged to rur
up to town on a little matter of bust
ness; but, thank goodness. it's done
Never saw London more deserted
Dined at the club. nobody there. Sup
ped at the hotel, dining room empty
Strolled up Piccadilly. not a soul tc
be seen. That is" he added. mo ONT
whom one has seen before, which Il
the same thing. But how did you en-
Joy your trip to the CONTINENT"
"It was not exactly a trip fCr pleas
ure," returned the other. with a Sigh
accent of constraint.
"Ah, yes; so l understood. Blu
fancy going to the continent on bust
nessl One usually goes for-whicf
reminds me. how would you like TO g
back into the country with mer'
ST? 1t Is impossible at the momen'
for
But Sir Charles seemed not to listen
"Deuced duh journey for a man t
take alone. good deal Of 1t by coach
You'll, find n few salmon to kill. trou