Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-21

SIGdul. ItG Oetl AAaE5NA SAAN
i Surrey shore, keeping TO the back
ground formed by moored barges.
Somewhere in the east the sun was
rising, but here the skies were dark.
Billingsgate Market was radiant with
light. and over the wharves, where
boats were at anchor, white arc Lights
cleaned.
The river was waking; the "chuff-
chuff'' of donkey engines and the rattle
of swaying derricks came to the men IN
the rowhoat.
They were clear of long barge line,
and the boat was turned to the north
ern shore, when, on the dark back
ground, appeared darker object. The
stroke rover saw the lines of launch
across his course and dropped his oars.
"Wade!" he grunted.
Out of the blackness came cheerful
hail.
"Hullo. sweetheart Whittier away?"
The police launch edged alongside.
Its only me, Inspector Wade. We
was takin' the boat down to Dorlin's to
lay it up" said the bow oarsman. He
had high falSetto voice, and punctu-
ated his speech with involuntary Sniffs.
Not MIR. Ofer?" The voice in the
police boat was charged with extrava-
CANT surprise. Not Sniffy Offer? Why,
sweetheart. why are you out at this
hour? Let me have look at you"
A powerful light flooded the interior
of the rowboat. The two men, oars in
hand, blinked.
Little case of something here" said
the voice of Inspector John Wade.
Looks like whisky-and bless my life,
if there isn't another one!"
We found EN- in the river" pleaded
the man he called Sniffy. ME an
Harry fished EN- out"
Been fishing? I'll bet you have!
Make fast your boat and step into the
launch-lively."
The two thieves said nothing until
they were headed for the police station.
You don't have to be clever to catch
us, Wade, do you?" said Sniffy. Here's
London full of undiscovered murders an
robberies, an all you can do is to pull
woman found in Cranston Gardens with
her throat cut. Look at the Inja Rub
Der mem"
shut upr' growled his companion.
Proceed, Sniffy," said MIR. Wade
gently. II am not sensitive. You were
talking of the India rubber men? You
were reproaching me-you were trying
to make me and the Metropolitan Police
feel small. Go ahead, Sniffy."
shut up, Sniffy!" warned the second
prisoner again, and Sniffy was silent
through all the taunts that aSsailed
him.
Now, where was this whisky going?
Tell me-"
There was no other answer than a
succession of indignant sniffs.
Come, sweetheart, tell papa" They
could not see John Wade's grin, but
they could hear his chuckle. Was it
for the sailormen at the Mecca? That
would be almost an admirable act. Or
was it for dear old Golly-."
The worm turned.
"You amt entitled to ask these ques-
lions under the ac', Wade. I could have
your coat off your back for questionin
me. An castin' asper-" He boggled
at the word.
The launch pulled up beside float.
Somebody in the darkness asked ques-
ton.
"OnIy two fishermen, sergeant" said
Wade. Put 'em on ice!"
That day he called at the Mecca
Club, to see its manager, Mrs. Anna
bel Oaks.
Mrs. Oaks had been compelled by an
interfering constabulary to register her
CLUB" as common lodging house, a
disadvantage of which was that 1t was
subject to police supervision.
She complained to her guests.
Mice thing, ehl A club for officers,
and any copper can walk IN and look
you overt"
It might be conceived that Mrs. Cakes
was indiscreet in publishing q truth
that might scare away percentage OF
her boarders. But the Mecca was con-
veniently placed for underof6cers OF the
mercantile marine. And many of the
clients who patroniZed "the club found
it convenient in another respect. II
one got a ship out of London. it was
possible to owe the money due for keep
until the debtor returned.
Mum" Cakes was very obliging, es-
uecially if the man was likable. He was
likable if he did not give himself airs,
or If he took his drink like man and
didn't want to fight Golly or anybody
else who happened to be around.
Golly was mild and rather spare OF
frame. A reddish nustache dropped
over a weak chin. He had once been
. ships steward, in moments Of inebria-
ton his claims rose as high as purser,
and once he stated that he had been
the captain of an Atlantic liner, but ne
wss very Ill after that.
The Mecca was half wooden and half
brick structure. Before the club was
o strip of wharfage, covered with rank
grass and embellished with two seats.
The wharf was warped and rotten, the
ancient tinbers that supported 1t were
split and crumbled.
But the view was always fine, for
here the pool was broad and the river
crowded with shipping.
Lila Smith used to stand, fascinated.
at the window of the dining room and
watch the steamers come up-river.
Lodgers who had returned from long
voyages remarked that Lila was no
longer o child. She had never lacked
fiir1itr bit now there was q charm
that It.ae had observed before. She
had always been pretty, in round
faced, big-eyed way. But the pretti-
ness had grown definite: nature had
given the face Of the child new values.