The Stolen Singer

taxicab proved t

ent moments when he appeared to be losing the car, Hambleton reflected that he had its number, which might lead to something. At the Waldorf the car slowed up, and the cab came within a few yards. Hambleton made up his mind at that i

occupants of the car and some watcher in the doorway, and

make somebody hear? Plenty of chance. They

bered the terror and distress written o

nsisted. "There they go west; west T

med with cars and trucks, squeezing past curbs where dirty children sat playing within a few inches of death-dealing wheels. Hambleton wondered what kept them from being killed by hundreds daily, but the wonder was immediately

tiously thinking that he would let fate determine his next move; if there were obstac

ute-" the driver was sayin

aw that the car had disappeared

ty-you take this, I'm off." He put a five-dollar bill into the

reached the river. Such a vehicle could not disappear and leave no trace; it ought to be easy to find. Ahead of him flaring l

seen the car. He pointed west into t

ng street-car tracks, dodged a 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 veiled lady, nor

ealed by swinging signs. It was plainly a forbidden way, and at first sight appeared too narrow for the passage of any

hat'll be to pay if you go in there without a per

ou did, but I'm going in. You might wai

stunner for speed and I already had my eye on he

d off to the left; on the right the solid planking terminated suddenly in huge piles, against which the water, capped with scum and weeds, splashed fitfully. The river bank, lined with doc

yacht's tender. The figures of the two rowers were quite distinct, their oars making rhythmical flashes over the water, but it was impossible to say exactly what freight, human or otherwise, it carried. It was evident that there were people aboard, possibly several. Even

s his present knowledge could go. His judgment still hung in suspense, but his senses quickened themselves to detect, if possible, what the outcome might be. He saw the tender approach the boat, lie alongside; saw one sailor after another descend the rope ladder, saw a limp, inert mass lif

and down its orderly but unprepossessing clutter. Dim lights shone here and there, and a few hands were at work at the farther end. The dull sil

an instant, in doubt whether there were not some plausible explanation. The thought came back to hi

and neatly stowed away close beside the partitioning wall, he gave a start. It was such a tangible evidence of what had threatened to grow vague and

f. Moreover, it was dirty, as if it had been ground under a muddy heel. It was, in its way, a shrieking evidence of violence, of unrighteous struggle. Hambleton folded the scarf carefully, with its edges together, and put it in his pocket. Jimmy's actions from this time on had an incentive and a spirit that had before been lacking. He noted again the number of the car, and returned to the edge of the dock to observe the yacht. She had steamed up river a little way for some reason known only to herself,

another, wiped his hands on his trousers, took a dry pipe out of his pocket

Jene Dark th

get information out of him,

o one thereabouts knew who its owner was; nor its captain; nor its purpose in the harbor of New York. At las

at it was in the hands of a mechanic in overalls and jumper. In answer to Hambleton's question as, to the owner of the car, the mechanic told him pleasantly to go to the devil, and for once the sight of a coin failed t

ent purposes. Can you unde

ve to arrest you for, I mig

the name?-that Hambleton has gone off on the Jeanne D'Arc and ma

not going to do anything out

money and be sure to get the message to Mr. Van Camp, will you? All r

hing else. All right, my son, Aleck Van Camp, at the

e pert Edith, touched Jimmy's humor. He laughed ringing

rbor. As she stood out into the roads and began to increase her speed, he directed the captain of the tug to steam forward and make as if to cross her bows. This would make the pilot of the yacht angry, but he would be forced to slow down a trifle. Jim watched long enough to see the suc