Urquart, failed me
utterly. Here at least was the end of my discoveries.
I learned no more, till I learned all; and my reader
has the evidence complete. Is he more astute than I
was? or, like me, does he give it up?
CHAPTER XVIII
CROSS-QUESTIONS AND CROOKED ANSWERS
I HAVE said hard words of San Francisco; they must
scarce be literally understood (one cannot suppose the
Israelites did justice to the land of Pharaoh); and the
city took a fine revenge of me on my return. She had
never worn a more becoming guise; the sun shone, the
air was lively, the people had flowers in their button-
holes and smiles upon their faces; and as I made my way
towards Jim's place of employment, with some very black
anxieties at heart, I seemed to myself a blot on the
surrounding gaiety.
My destination was in a by-street in a mean, rickety
building. "The Franklin H. Dodge Steam Printing
Company" appeared upon its front, and, in characters of
greater freshness, so as to suggest recent conversion,
the watch-cry, "White Labour Only.
Pages:
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447