date. There was something additional to look for. They were all three more sharply on the alert, and less deadened by the miserable influences of the place and time.

More than an hour had passed, and they were even dozing, when one of the three — each said it was he, and he had not dozed — made out Riderhood in his boat at the spot agreed on. They sprang up, came out from their shelter, and went down to him. When he saw them coming, he dropped alongside the causeway; so that they, standing on the causeway, could speak with him in whispers, under the shadowy mass of the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters fast asleep.

“Blest if I can make it out!” said he, staring at them.

“Make what out? Have you seen him?”

“No.”

“What have you seen?” asked Lightwood. For, he was staring at them in the strangest way.

“I’ve seen his boat.”

“Not empty?”

“Yes, empty. And what’s more, — adrift. And what’s more, — with one scull gone. And what’s more, — with t’other scull jammed in the thowels and broke short off. And what’s more, — the boat’s drove tight by the tide ’atwixt two tiers of barges. And what’s more, — he’s in luck again, by George if he ain’t!”