The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-07-08

count. Mr.. Kirkwood"
"Partly-partly on my own. Let
me put 1t to you fairly. When you
forced yourself upon me. back there
in nNIondon. you offered me some sort
Of employment. When I rejected II
You used me to your advantage for the
furtherance Of your purposes. which
confess don't understand. and made
me miss my steamer. Naturally when
found myself penniless and friend
less In strange country thought
again of your ofSer and tried to find
you TO accept It."
"Despite the fact thatEou're an hon
est man. KirSwoodf' The fat lips
twitched with premature enjoyment.
I'm desperate man tonight, what
ever may have been yesterday" The
young mans tone was both earnest
and convincing. 81 think I've shown
that by my pertinacity in hunting YOU
down.
-wel1--yes." Calendars thick fin
gers caressed his lips. trying to hide
the dawnfng smile.
"Is that offer still open?"
His nonchalance completely restored
by the frankness of the proposition,
Calendar laughed openly and with
trace Of irony. The episode seemed to
be turning out better than he had an
ticipatec. Gently his mottled fat fin
gers played about his mouth and chins
as he looked Kirkwood up and down.
I'm sorry" be replied. that II isn't
now. You're too late. Kirkwood.
I've made other arrangements"
TOO bad" Kirkwood's eyes mar
rowed. "You force me TO harsher
measures. Calendar"
Genuinely diverted. the adventurer
laughed a second time. tipping back In
his chair. his huge frame shaking with
ponderous enjoyment Don't do any
thing you'd be sorry for he parroted.
sarcastical. the young mans recent ad-
monition TO the captain.
mo fear. Calendar. I'm Just going
10 use my advantage. which you
wouldn't dispute--the pistol described
an eloquent circle. cleaning I'm the
cmplight-"to levy on you a little le-
Ultimate biackmail. Don't be alarmed.
shan't hit you any harder than I
have to-
''whatT stammered Calendar. aston
ished. what are you driving atr'
"Recompense for my time and trou.
bic. You've cost me a pretty penny.
first and last. with your nasty titfie
conspiracy. whatever It's all about.
Now. needing the money. purpose
getting some OF II back. I shant pre-.
cisely rob you. but this Is q holdup. all
right Stryker." reproachfully. Il don't
see my pearl pin"
Il got II ere responded the sailor
hastily. fumbling with his tie.
Give II me. thcn.- Kirkwood held
out his hand and received the trinket
Then. moving over 20 the table, the
young man. while abating nothing Of
bis wafchfulncss. sorted out his be.
lOngings from the mass of odds and
ends Stryker had dlsgorged. The tale
Of them was complete. The captain
had obeyed him faithfully. Kirkwood
looked up. pleased.
wow. see here. Calendar. this col-
lection OF truck that was robbed Of
by this resurrected Joe Miller here
cost me upward OF $3.50. I'm going to
sell IL TO yon at bargnin-say $50.
go francs"
The deuce you are Calendars
eyes opened wide. partly IN admiration.
'Dyou realize that this Is next door
20 highway robbery. my young friendT
High seas piracy. II you prefer" as
sented Kirkwood with entire equanim.
fly. .rm going 20 have the money.
and you're going TO give II up. The
transaction by any name would smell
no sweeter. Calendar. Come : fork
over.'
"And n ! refuseY"
Il wouldn't refuse n I were you"
why notf'
The consequences would be too
painful"
"you mean you'd punctxre me with
that gum
"Not unless you attack or attempt TO
follow me. l mean 10 say that the
Belgian police are notoriously a most
efficient body and that I'll make Il my
duty and pleasure TO Introduce ;em TO
you II you refuse. But you won't"
klrkwood added soothlngiy. 'wili you.
Calendarf"
"No." The adventurer had become
suddenly thoughtful. mo. won't.
Glad 70 oblige you"
lie tilted his chair still farther back.
Strengthening out bis elephantine legs.
inserted one fat hand into his trousers
pocket ard with some difficulty cx-
tracted a combined bill fold and coin
purse. at once heavy with gold and
bulky with notes. Moistcning thumb
and forefnger. How'll you have itT'
he inquired. with lift Of his cunning
eyes. and, when Kirkwood had advised
him. slowly counted out four flfty.franc
notes, placed them near the edge Of
the table and weighted them with Eve
ten.franc pieces. And THAT allT' be
aaked ranlacInp fhe nockefhook