The Detroit times., 1912-03-25
CHAPTER ilI.
Continued.

But Hambeton was out OF earshot
and out OF sight An empty passage
smelling OF bilge-water and pent-
the larger dock, Damp flooring
with wide cracks stretched of 10
the left: on the right the sold
planking terminated suddenly in huge
piles, against which the water. cap
ped with scum and weeds, splashed
fitfully. The river bank. lined with
docks, seemed lulled into temporary
quietness. Ferry-boats steamed at
their labors farther up and down the
river, but the currents OF travel left
here and there a peaceful quarter
such as this.
llambleton's gaze searched the dock
and the river In Il rapid survey. The
dock itself was dim and vast, with n
few workmen looking like ants in the
distance. II offered nothing ot Ell
couragement: but on the river, fifty
yards away, and getting farther away
every minute, was yachts tender
The figures OF the two rowers were
quite distinct. their oars making
rhythmical flashes over the water. but
freight, human or otherwise, IL carried,
Ii was evident that there were people
boartt, possibly several. Even rs
Hambleton strained his eyes TO see,
the outlines OF the rowboat merged
into the dimness Ii was pointed like
a gun toward a large yacht lying ~
anchor farther ont in the stream, The
vessel swayed prettily TO the current
and slowly swung its dim light from
the masthead.
They've got her-out in that boat, >
said Hambleton to himself, feel
ing, while the words were on
his lips. that he was drawing
conclusions unwarranted by the
evidence Thus he stood, one foot
on the slippery log siding OF the
dock. watching while the little drama
I played itself out SO far as his preseE:
/ knowledge could go. His judgment
| still hung in suspense, but his senses
quickened themselves 10 detect, II
/ possible what the outcome might be
/ He saw the tender approach the boat
! lie alongside: saw one sailor after an
other descend the rope ladder. saw a
/ limp, inert mass lifted from the row
OOdN anu UP, 40 IA IL hdu DttI
merchandise, to the deck OF the
yacht; saw two men follow the linn
| bundle over the gunwale; and finally
saw the boat herself drawn up anc
placed in her davits. Hambleton's
mind at last slid TO its conclusion, like
a bolt into its socket.
They're kidnapping her, without /;
/ doubt" he said slowly For a mo
ment he was like one struck stupid
Slowly he turned TO the dock. lookius
up and down it's orderly but unpre
possessing clutter Dim lights shop,
here and there, and few hands wer,
at work at the farther end The dui
silence. the unresponsive preoccupa
ton OF whatever was in sight, made /
all seem as remote from him anc
from this tragedy as from the stars.
In fact. IL was impersonal and re
mote TO such degree that Handle
tons practical mind halted yet an in
slant, In doubt whether there were no
some plausible explanation. Thu
thought came back 10 him suddenl!
that the motor-car must be some
where in the neighborhood If his con
clusion We're correct.
On the instant his brain becam,
active again. It did not take long. a.
matter of fact, to find the car
1 though when he stumbled on IL, turn
ed about and neatly slowed ava!
close beside the partitioning wall HI
gave a start IL was such a tangible
evidence of what had threatened u
grow vague and unreal on his hands
He squeezed himself into the marrow
space between ii and the wall, FINAL!
thrusting his head under the curtains
of the tonneau.
Ii was high and dry, empty az las
years cockleshell Not a sign Of life
mot a loose objeet=of any=kind- exeep
a filmy thing which Hambleton foun'
himself observing thoughtfully A
4 last he picked IL up-a long, mist-lik'
veil He spread il out. held it gin
gerly between a thumb and finger .
each hand. and continued to look .
it abstractedly. Part of 1t was clear
and whole, dainty as only bit of VIC
mans finery can be: hut one end Of !
was torn and twisted and stretches
out of all semblance to itself. More
over. Ii was dirty, as If IL had beef
ground under muddy heel. IL was
i'm it's way, a shrieking evidence .
violence. OF unrighteous struggle
Hambleton folded the scarf carefully
with its edges together. and put IL l.
his pocket.
Jimmys actions from this time OF
had incentive and spirit that ha,
before been lacking. He noted agaii