men were busy loading and unloading the
vessels. Douglas did not stop to watch them, as at other times, but
kept steadily on until he reached the last dock which was entirely
deserted. One electric light shed its beams out over the water, which
was kept burning as a guide to incoming boats. Down this dock he
walked, and when he came close to the water he stood for a while and
looked out over the harbour. It was an inspiring sight to see the
lights gleaming on the opposite shore, and from the passing tugs and
other vessels.

Here a large warehouse ran along one side of the dock almost to the
water's edge. Just around the nearest corner was a steamer's broken
shaft, and noticing this, Douglas sat down upon it to rest. It was
almost high tide, and the water lapped lazily against the dock. There
was a restful quietness here, and Douglas enjoyed the respite from the
busy crowds. Below the dock several small tugs were moored, and the
sound of voices came to him occasionally from that direction. He
thought of the last time he had visited this place, and how the dock
then was the scene of such hustling commotion, for a big ocean liner
was all ready to leave. She had gone and had left not a visible trace
behind. So it would be with him, he mused. Soon he himself would be
away, and the life of the city would go on the same and none would
remember him. His thoughts drifted to the principal ones who were
responsible for his going, and his face hardened, while his hands
clenched. He knew what they would say when they heard of it. There
would be a slight lifting of the eyebrows, no more than good breeding
would allow. It would be mentioned at afternoon teas, and at
card-tables. He could imagine what some of them would say. "Poor
fellow, his head was somewhat turned with that dock work. He will
learn wisdom as he gets older." Yes, such remarks as these would be
made, and then he would be entirely forgotten.

He remained musing in this fashion for some time, lost to the world
around him. He was going away--he knew not whither, defeated for a
while but not beaten. He had the future before him, and he would make
good. If he could not do it here, he would in some other place.

The sound of voices at last aroused him. It came from his left, and he
peered around the corner of the warehouse. For a few seconds he could
see no one, but he knew there were people not far off who were talking
in a most earnest manner.