The St. Johns herald., 1921-09-15
CHAPTER II-cOntinusd.

The street was deserted and rain swept. the few lights showing mere pin-pricks in the darkness. plunged straight across the street, as though headed for the nearest car line, and then, in the shade of darkness, re- traced my steps, passing the corner, until 1 attained the side entrance. Here, assured that 1 was safely be- yOnd observation, I paused to gain some conception of my surroundings. Across from where I stood appeared the dim outlines of long. ramshackle building. apparently a shed of some kind, while beyond the saloon was a row of One-story dwelling houses, seemingly exactly alike, and exhibit ing no evidence of being occupied.
 In which direction had the couple turned after their exit through the side door of the saloOn-to right, or left?
 Jans had unconsciously pointed in this direction when he told of where the girl lived, and, although that was doubtless a lie intended to deceive, it was no more than natural for him to have thoughtlessly designated the proper point of the compass.
 l advanced cautiously, finding the narrow sidewalk one of boards, in very bad condition. It was only when I at tained the end of this row of houses, and came to the entrance of a narrow, dark alley, that l found the slightest proof that I was, by good fortune, upon the right trail. It was above this opening that the incandescent bulb fiickered dimly, yet, in spite of wind and rain, gave me glimpse of the mud underfOOt. The two must have been the only ones passing that way since the drizzle began, for their footprints were yet visible in the soft mud of the crossing as they advanced beyond the safety of the board walk. By bending low, and keeping my own shadow out of the way, I was able to trace their progress for two or three yards quite easily. and then, to my surprise, the footprints turned abruptly to the left, and disappeared entirely.
 To all appearances the two had pro- ceeded down the alley. Black, unin- viting. as that gloomy passage ap- peared. they must have turned into 1t and grOped their way forward. Where? For what purpOse2 I could think of but one Object-the Ava iron factory, the mysterious meeting place at 876 Cans street. Beyond all question this alley would skirt along the back of that building, and there would be an entrance at the rear.
 Dare I go on alone, unarmed as I was, knowing nothing of what I might encounter? I hesitated, my heart beating like a trip-hammer, yet, after all the danger seemed more of the i'm agInation than reality. Besides. I was stM young, and venturesome the situ- alton appealed to me, and-well, the memory of that girls face remained strangely insistent. Odd as it may seem. her predicament yielded me a reckless desire to have an immediate hand in the game.
 I found two imprintS of her narrow shoe in the mud after the turn had been made. then all trace vanished. 1 creES forward, enveloped in gloom, keeping as closely as possible to the high board fence at the left The way was rough underfoot, and my progress consequently slow, being anxious to make as little noise as possible. The passage was so black, lost all knowl- edge as to how far had gone, and was only aroused to my position by finally coming up against a pile of lumber which completely blocked the further end of the alley. recalled dimly that the passage swerved here, running along the side of the AIva factory. un. til 1t reached Cans street Then the place sought was to my left, behind the protection of this high fence, along which I had been so cautiously feeling ay way.
 The silence was profound, stupefy. Mg, uncanny. Against the lighter lead