The state herald., 1913-04-04

piercing brilliance OF the incandes-
cents, and both. struggled against the
lingering daylight
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. and 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 bafiiement,
when the major-general pounded slow
ly along his way.
| In there. my son, and no nice place
either!" pointing to smaller entrance
alongside the Imperial docks, almost
concealed by swinging signs 1t was
plainly 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 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 permit. I
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"
Il will that: more especially as that
car was sumner for speed and I
already had my eye on her. I'd like
to see you fish her out OF that hole"
But Hambleton was out of earshot
and out Of sight An empty passage
smelling OF bilge-water and pent-up
gases opened suddenly on to the larg-
er dock. Damp flooring with wide
cracks stretched of to the left; on
the right the solid planking terminal.
ed suddenly in huge piles. against
which the water. capped with scum
and weeds. splashed fltfully. 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. nifty
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 II was impossible to say exactly
what freight. human or otherwise. II
carried. II was evident that there
were people aboard. possibly several
, Even as Hambleton strained his eyes
TO see the outliyes OF the rowboat
merged into the dimness. II was
pointed like n gun toward large
yacht lying at ancher further out In
the stream. The vessel swayed pret
tily to the current, and slowly swung
its dim light from tho 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 log
siding of the dock. watching while the
little drama played Itself out, so far
as his present knowledge could go. His
Judgment still hung In suspense. but
his senses quickened themselves to
detect, II possible. what the outcome
might be. He saw the tender ap-
proach the boat, lie alongside; saw
one sailor after another descend the
rope ladder. saw limp. inert mass
lifted from the rowbont and carried
up, as II It had been merchandise. to
the deck OF the yacht: saw two men
follow the limp bundle over the gun
vale; and finally saw the boat herself
drawn up and placed in her dnvits
Hnmbicton's mind nt last sild to its
conclusion, like bolt into it's socket
They're kidnapping her. without a
doubt" he said slowly. For n moment
he was like one struck stupid. Slowly
he turned to tho dock. looking up and
down its orderly but unprcpossessins q
clutter. Dim lights shone hero and
there. and n few hands were at work
nt the farther end. The dun silence,
the unresponsive preoccupation OF
whatever life was In sight. made Il all
seem ms remote from him and from
this tragedy as from the stars.
In fact. II was impcrsonai and 70.
mote 10 such degree that Hambic
tons practical mind halted yet nm In.
atnnt, In doubt whether thcro were
not some plausible explanation. Ths