Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-09-23
CHAPTER XIV.

WAS eSSeIlldl IuaL Sue KNOW,
An however painful the knowledge
might prove to her.
And she was insistent. He might not
dodge the issue. "Why?" she repeated
as he paused.
81 wish you wouldn't press me for
an answer just now Miss Calendar"
Don't you think l had better know?"
Instinctively he inclined his head in
assent.
"Tlen why?'
Kirkwood bent forward and patted
the flank of the satchel that held the
gladstone bag.
what does that mean, Mr.. Kirk
wood?"
"That l have the jewels" he told her
tersely. looking straight ahead.
AT his shoulder he heard a low gasp
Of amazement and incredulity COM
mingled.
"But-how did you get them? Ny
father deposited them in bank this
morning?"
"He must have taken them out
again. l got them IN board the
Alethea, where Your father vas con
ferring with Mulready and Captain
Stryker."
The Alethea!"
Yes"
you took them from those men
you! But didn't my father
~ had to persuade him." said kirk
wood simply.
But there We're three of them
against you."
"Mulready notwithstanding very
we'll, and Stryker's a coward. They
gave me nc trouble. | locked them in
Stryker's room. lifted the bag of jew
els and came away. / ought to tell
you that they were discussing the adj
= visibility of sailing away without you,
leaving you here, friendless and with
out means. That's why l considered
it my duty to take Il hand. l don't
like to tell you this so brutally, but
you ought to know"
81 understand"
But for some moments she did not
speak. He avoided looking at her.
The fiacre, rolling at top speed, but
smoothly, on the broad avenues that
encircle the ancient city, turned into
the Avenue de Keyser, bringing into
sight the Care Centrale.
"You don't-k-know''- began the girl
without warning, In a voice gusty with
sobs.
"Steady on.' said Kirkwood gently.
81 do know, but don't let's talk about
1t now. Well be at the station in a
minute, and I'll get out and see what's
to be done about a train If neither
Mulready nor Stryker is about. You
stay in the carriage. No" He
changed his mind suddenly. "I'l not
risk losing you again. It's a risk We'll
have to run in company"
"Please!w she agreed brokenly.
The fiacre slowed up and stopped.
"Are you all right, Miss Calendar?'
Kirkwood asked.
The girl sat up. lifting her head
proudly. 81 am quite ready" she said,
steadying her voice.
Kirkwood re%connoitered through the
window while the driver was descend
ing.
"Gare Centrale, m'sieu'," he said,
opening the door.
"No n in sight" Kirkwood told the
girl. "Come, please
He got out and gave her his hand.
then paid the driver, picked up the
two bags and hurried with Dorothy
into the station to find in waiting a
string of cars into which people were
moving at ~leisurely rate. His inquiries
at the ticket window developed the
fact that it was the o2::26 for Brussels,
the last train leaving the Care Cen
trale that night and due to start in ten
minutes.
The information settled their plans
for once and al. Mirlwood promptly
secured through tickets. also purchas-
ing reserve" supplementary tickets
which entitled them to the use OF
those modern corridor coaches which
take the place of first class compart-
ments on the Belgian state railways.
cts a PLEASURE" said Kirkwocd
lightly as he followed the girl into
m of these. "to find oneself in a
common sense sort of train again.
Feels like home" He put their lug
gage Ill one Oh the racks anu sat GOWN
beside her.
The girl smiled bravely. And after
Brussels%' she inquired.
"First train for the coast" he said
promptly-"Dover, Ostend. Boulogne,
whichever proves handiest, no matter
which, SO long as it gets us on English
soil without undue delay"
She said eyes" abstractedly, resting
an elbow on the window sill and her
chin in her palm, to stare with seri-
GUS, sweet brown eyes out into the
arc smitten night that hung beneath
the echoing roof.
Kirkwood fidgeted In despite of the
,constraint he placed himself under to
be still and not disturb her needlessly.
Impatience and apprehension of mis-
fortune obsessed his mental processes
In equal degree. The ten minutes
seemed interminable that elapsed ere
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