the evidence of my eyes.

"Well," said the policeman, with a sigh of relief, "there's nothing
here."

I suspected that his doubts of my sanity were returning.

"Here is where it was done," I asserted stoutly, pointing to the spot
where I had seen the struggling group from the window. "There were
surely five or six men in it."

The policeman turned his lantern on the spot. The rough pavement had
taken no mark of the scuffle.

"It's hard to make sure of things from above in this light," said the
policeman, hinting once more his suspicion that I was confusing dreams
with reality.

"There was no mistaking that job," I said. "See here, the alley leads
farther back. Bring your light."

"Aisy, now," said the policeman. "I'll lead the way. Maybe you want one
yourself, as your friend has set the fashion."

A few paces farther the alley turned at a right angle to the north,
yawning dark behind the grim and threatening buildings, and filled with
noisome odors. We looked narrowly for a body, and then for traces that
might give hint of the passage of a party.

"Nothing here," said the policeman, as we came out on the other street.