Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-05-09


A heavy policeman at the corner
had seen the car. He pointed west
into the cavernous darkness Of the
wharves.
IF she amt down at the Imperial
docks she's gone plump into the river,
for that's the way she went" he in
sisted. The policeman had the bear
ing Of major-general and the accent
Of the city of Cork. Hambleton went
on past the curving street-car tracks,
lodged loaded dray emerging from
the dock, land threaded his way under
the shed. He passed piles Of trunks.
and a couple of truckmen dumping
assorted freight from an ocean liner.
No motor-car or yelled lady, nor
sound Of anything like woman's
voice. Hambleton came out into the
street again, looked about for another
probable avenue Of escape for the
car and was at the point Of baffement,
when the major-general pounded slow
ly along his way.
I'm there, my son. and no nice place
either!" pointing to smaller entrance
alongside the Imperial docks, almost
concealed by swinging signs. 1t was
plainly a forbidden way, and at first
sight appeared too narrow for the
passage of any vehicle whatsoever.
But examination showed that 1t was
not too narrow; moreover. it opened
on a. level with the street.
IF you really want her, she's in
there. though what'll be to pay II
you go in there without a permit, !
don't know. I'd hate to have to ar
rest you"
TT might be the best thing for me
if you did but I'm going in. You
might wait here a minute. Captain, II
you will
II win that; more especially es tha'
car was a sumner for speed md !
already had my eye on her. I'd like
to see you fish her out OF that hole =
But Hambleton was out OF earsho'
and out OF sight An emn-r 12ssaSe
smelling of bilge-water aEd pcnt-ur
gases opened suddenly en- 70 the larg'
er dock. Damp flooring with wide
cracks stretched OF, to the LETT: on
the right the solid planking terminal
ed suddenly in huge piles. against
which the water. capped with scum
and weeds, splashed fitfully. The riv'
er bank, lined with docks. seemed
lulled into temporary quietness. Ferry
boats steamed at their labors farther
up and down the river, but the cur
rents of travel left here and there a
peaceful quarter such as this.
Hambleton's gaze searched the dock
and the river in a rapid survey. The
dock itself was dim and vast, with a
few workmen looking like ants in the
distance. 1t offered nothing of en-.
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 1t was impossible to say exactly
what freight, human or otherwise, II
carried. It was evident that there
were people aboard, possibly several
Even as Hambleton strained his eyes
to see, the outlines of the rowboat
merged into the dimness. It wal
pointed like a gun toward a large
yacht lying at ancher further out In
the stream The vessel swayed pref
tily to the current, and slowly swung
it's dim light from the masthead.
They've got her-out in that boat.
said Hambleton to himself, feeling
while the words were on his lips
that he was drawing conclusions un
warranted by the evidence. Thus he
stood, one foot on the slippery los
siding of the dock. watching while the
little drama played itself out. so fal
as his present knowledge could 60. Hii
Judgment still hung in suspense, but
his senses quickened themselves Il
detect, II possible, what the outcom,
might be. He saw the tender ap
proach the boat, lie alongside: saw
one sailor after another descend thu
rope ladder, saw limp, inert mas
lifted from the rowboat and carried
up. as IL 1t had been merchandise, Il
the deck of the yacht; saw two mel
follow the limp bundle over the gun
vale; and finally saw the boat hersel
drawn up and placed In her davits
Hambleton's mind at last slid to III
conclusion, like a bolt into it's socket
They're kidnapping her, without ,
doubt" he said slowly. For momen
he was like one struck stupid. Slowl.
he turned to the dock. looking up an,
down it's orderly but unprepossessini
clutter. Dim lights shone here ant
there, and a few hands were at worl
at the farther end. The dull silence
the unresponsive preoccupation o
whatever life was in sight. made It al
seem as remote from him and fron
this tragedy as from the stars.
In fact, 1t was impersonal and re
mote to such degree that Handle
toms practical mind halted yet an in
: slant, in doubt whether there wer
not some plausible explanation. Tn
thought came back to him suddenl
that the motor-car must be somewher
in the neighborhood II his conclusion
: were correct.