The Watchman Watches in Vain

Professor though she may be, Emma clambers dexterously onto the roof of a boathouse. Through its filthy skylight, she sees a sleek, powerful-looking motorboat drawn up on a ramp. Leaning against the wall inside is a sign that reads ‘‘Lucky Carter Cartage Co.’ It has been taken down from the outside of the boathouse and (hidden?) within.

Clancy knows this name as the ‘front’ for Arkham’s biggest bootlegging operation. It is run by local mob boss Danny O’Bannion, operating out of the Lucky Carter Cartage Company garage. The rear entrance to the garage building is nearby, in plain sight of the investigators. Clancy has heard that O’Bannion is approachable by those (like Melody) with high society connections. As long as the subject of O’Bannion’s real business stays out of any conversation.

The hobos are reluctant to report anything they saw the previous evening. They seem fearful of repercussions by the bootleggers, who also seem to pay them to keep silent. But Melody’s hints of payment work like a charm on one grizzled fellow. He explains what happened.

The bootleggers saw the wreck of the plane drifting past in the river’s powerful current. Their motorboats were already in the water, getting ready for their night’s work. One of the boats drove out and hauled the pilot out of his plane. They brought him back to the boathouse where they called their bosses on a special ‘phone. O’Bannion himself appeared from the rear of the Lucky Carter garage. He ordered the pilot to be taken to St Mary’s hospital. Before he was taken away in an unmarked automobile, O’Bannion carefully removed the pilot’s goggles, headwear and pistol.

As the investigators complete their discussion, a vagrant arrives from a filthy alley, muttering curses. He combines biblical phrases that condemn the rich and promise vengeance upon them.

The fellow picks up a chair leg and assaults, of all people, redwood Clancy. Although he does not seem to pose much of a threat in physical terms, the fellow seems deranged.

The crazed fellow stumbles back, clutching at his bruised temple.

"The wicked have drawn their swords, cutting down the poor and needy... "

He staggers back into his alley, calling on prophesy to execute justice. Meanwhile, just a block away, Alex is tending to Tillinghast in a room behind his antique shop. The wretched fellow is slumped in his office chair, trembling.

"That passage that Professor Warren [=Emma] found in the farmhouse. I did not know that copies of that damnable book were extant. Well, I tell you it's true that certain families are linked to the...creatures... in the Old Graveyard. My family, too. We are from this old part of the city, this wretched, decaying old merchant district. I fear... I fear that myself or my brother...I don't want to become one of them!"

St Mary's is only a few blocks further south of the river, next to the University campus. It is staffed by Misk U teachers and student doctors. Patients take their chances as to whether they will be treated by a venerable surgeon or a Ragtime- or ‘Jazz’-crazed medical student. The desk nurse has no record of a patient named Harrington, or even heard of a recently rescued pilot. But a passing student doctor suggests they may be asking after "the crazy egg" who was dropped off anonymously the previous evening.

"He's a pilot!" the nurse is surprised. "We thought he was some kind of motorcyclist. Harrington, you say, from Arkham Airfield? At least now we can contact his next of kin."" Harrington has been isolated in a small ward on the top floor of the hospital. He is pale, greenish and seems barely able to move. He responds to the visitors’ questions in a hoarse whisper. His responses generally peter out, or do not seem to be relevant to the questions posed.

During the conversation, Harrington raises a shaking hand , attempting but failing to point out of the hospital window.

A medical chart hangs on the end of his bed. The student doctor does not seem to mind if the investigators look at the extensive notes scribbled over the chart.