eway from the river, foot by foot.

As the time so passed, this slinking business became a more and more
precarious one. It would seem as if the man had had some intimation of
what was in hand against him, or had taken fright? His movements might
have been planned to gain for him, in getting beyond their reach, twelve
hours' advantage? The honest man who had expended the sweat of his brow
became uneasy, and began to complain with bitterness of the proneness of
mankind to cheat him--him invested with the dignity of Labour!

Their retreat was so chosen that while they could watch the river, they
could watch the house. No one had passed in or out, since the daughter
thought she heard the father calling. No one could pass in or out
without being seen.

'But it will be light at five,' said Mr Inspector, 'and then WE shall be
seen.'

'Look here,' said Riderhood, 'what do you say to this? He may have
been lurking in and out, and just holding his own betwixt two or three
bridges, for hours back.'

'What do you make of that?' said Mr Inspector. Stoical, but
contradictory.

'He may be doing so at this present time.'

'What do you make of that?' said Mr Inspector.

'My boat's among them boats here at the cause'ay.'

'And what do you make of your boat?' said Mr Inspector.

'What if I put off in her and take a look round? I know his ways, and
the likely nooks he favours. I know where he'd be at such a time of the
tide, and where he'd be at such another time. Ain't I been his pardner?
None of you need show. None of you need stir. I can shove her off
without help; and as to me being seen, I'm about at all times.'

'You might have given a worse opinion,' said Mr Inspector, after brief
consideration. 'Try it.'

'Stop a bit. Let's work it out. If I want you, I'll drop round under the
Fellowships and tip you a whistle.'

'If I might so far presume as to offer a suggestion to my honourable and
gallant friend, whose knowledge of naval matters far be it from me to
impeach,' Eugene struck in with great deliberation, 'it would be, that
to tip a whistle is to advertise mystery and invite speculation.
My honourable and gallant friend will, I trust, excuse me, as an
independent member, for throwing out a remark which I feel to be due to
this house and the country.'

'Was that the T'other Governor, or Lawyer Lightwood?' asked Riderhood.
For, they spoke as they crouched or lay, without seeing one another's
faces.

'In reply to t