The San Francisco call., 1909-03-07

than he had dared hope. But as the
black rushing waters widened between
boat and brigantine, the clanor aboard
the later subsided, Indicating that Cali
endar and Stryker had broken out or
been released by the crew. In ignor-
ance as to whether he was seen or be-
ing pursued. Kirkwood pulled on, win
ming in under the shadow of the quais
and permitting the boat to drift down
to lonely landing on the edge OF
the dockyard quarter of Antwerp.
Here alighting, he made the boat
fast and, soothing his conscience with
surmise that its owner would find 1t
there in the morning, strode swiftly
over to the train line that runs along
the .embankment. swung aboard an ad-
ventitious car and broke his first ten
franc piece in order to pay his fare.
The car made leisurely progress up
past the old Steen castle and the Quai
landing, Kirkwood sitting quietly, the
gladstone bag under his hand, search
ing gaze sweeping the waterside. No
sign of the adventurers rewarded him,
but it was now all chance all hazard.
He had no more heart for confidence.
They passed the Hotel du Commerce.
Kirkwood stared up at its windows
wondering.
A little farther on, disengaged
facre, its driver alert for possible fares,
turned a corner into the esplanade.
At sight of It Kirkwood, inspired,
hoped nimbly off the tram-car and
signaled the cabby. The latter pulled
up and Kirkwood started to charge
him with instructions; something
which he did haltingly, hampered by
a slight haziness of purpose. While
thus engaged, and at rest in the stark
glare of the street lamps, with no
chance OF conceaIing himself. he was
aware of rising tumult in the direc-
tion Of the landing, and glancing
round, discovered number of people
running toward him. With no time to
wonder whether or not he was really
the object of the hue-and-cry, he toss
ed the driver three silver francs
Care Centralew he cried. 'And
drive like the devil.
Diving into the f1acre he shut the
door and stuck his head out of the
window, taking obsegvations. A ragged
fringe of silly rabble was bearing
down upon them, with one or two gen.
darmes in the forefront and giant
who might might not be Stryker, a
close second. Furthermore another cab
seemed to have been requisitioned for
the chase. His heart misgave him
momentarily; but his driver had taken
him at his word and generosity. and in
a breath the fiacre had turned vthe
corner on two wheels. and the glitter
ing reaches of the emhaakment, drive
and promenade, were blotted out. as II
smudged with lamp black. by the OBJ
scurity Of a narrow and tortuous side
street.
He drew in his head the better to
preserve his brains against further
emergencies.
After block or two Kirkwood pick
ed up the gladstone bag, gently opened
the door, and put foot on the step
pausing to look back. The other cal
was pelting after him with all the en-
thusiasm Of a hound on a fresh trail
He reflected that this mad progress
through the thoroughfares of civil
ized city would not long endure with.
out police intervention. SO he waited
watching his opportunity. The facrt
hurtled onward, the driver leaning
forward from his box to urge the horse
with lash of whip and tongue, entirely
unconscious of his fares intentions.
Between two streets the mouth OF {
narrow and darksome byway flashe,
into view Kirkwood threw wide tn,
door, and leaped. trusting to the nigh
to hide his stratagem, to luck to saw,
his limbs. Neither failed him; in
twinkling he was on all fours in tn,
mouth of the alley, and as he picked
himself up, the second facre passed
Calendar himself poldng round balt
poll out Of the window to incite hi
drivers cupidity with promises of re
doubled fare.
Kirkwood mopped his dripping fore
head and whistled low with dismay
1t seemed that froxu that instant on 1
was to be a vendetta with vengeance
Calendar, as he had foreseen. was stop
ping at nothing.
At a dog trot he sped down the allie,