hining excitedly, was engaged in scratching with its
paws upon the dirty floor as though determined to dig its way through.
As the light shone upon it the dog crouched affrightedly, and, glancing
in Seton's direction, revealed its teeth. He saw that it was covered
with mud from head to tail, presenting a most woe-begone appearance, and
the mystery of its presence there came home to him forcibly.

It was a toy spaniel of a breed very popular among ladies of fashion,
and to its collar was still attached a tattered and muddy fragment of
ribbon.

The little animal crouched in a manner which unmistakably pointed to
the fact that it apprehended ill-treatment, but these personal fears had
only a secondary place in its mind, and with one eye on the intruder it
continued to scratch madly at the floor.

Seton acted promptly. He snapped off the light, and, replacing the lamp
in his pocket, stepped into the building and dropped down upon his knees
beside the dog. He next lay prone, and having rapidly cleared a space
with his sleeve of some of the dirt which coated it, he applied his ear
to the floor.

In spite of that iron control which habitually he imposed upon himself,
he became aware of the fact that his heart was beating rapidly. He had
learned at Leman Street that Kerry had brought Mrs. Irvin's dog from
Prince's Gate to aid in the search for the missing woman. He did not
doubt that this was the dog which snarled and scratched excitedly beside
him. Dimly he divined something of the truth. Kerry had fallen into the
hands of the gang, but the dog, evidently not without difficulty, had
escaped. What lay below the wharf?

Holding his breath, he crouched, listening; but not a sound could he
detect.

"There's nothing here, old chap," he said to the dog.

Responsive to the friendly tone, the little animal began barking loudly
with high staccato notes, which must have been audible on the Surrey
shore.

Seton was profoundly mystified by the animal's behavior. He had
personally searched every foot of this particular building, and was
confident that it afforded no hiding-place. The behavior of the dog,
however, was susceptible of only one explanation; and Seton recognizing
that the clue to the mystery lay somewhere within this ramshackle
building, became seized with a conviction that he was being watched.

Standing upright, he paused for a moment, irresolute, thinking that he
had detected a muffled shriek. But the riverside no