The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-05-20

IS
straight away for the Enclosed door.
"'0ld ard. guvner.'
kirkwood halted on the cry. falter-
Ing in indecision Should be take the
plunge or withdraw? spontaneously
he was conscious that a mans figure
had detached itself from the shadows
beneath the nearest portico and was
drawing nearer. with every indication
of haste to intercept him.
Ere now, gunner. yer mykin' a
mistyke You don't live ERE"
How do you know" demanded
Kirkwood crisply. Tightening his grip
on his stick.
Was this the second shadow he had
seemed 10 see-the confederate Of him
who had entered No. Q. a sentry to
forestall interruption? II so. the feI.
low lacked discretion. though his de.
termination that the American should
aot interfere was undeniable. II was
with an ugly and truculent manner. II
more warily. that the man closed In
Il knows You clear bout or
He flung out hand with the plausi.
Bile design Of grasping Kirkwood by
the collar. The latter lifted his stick
detecting the arm. and incontinentiy
landed his other fist forcibly on the
fellows chest. The man reeled back,
cursing. Before he could recover Kirk
wood calmly crossed the threshold,
closed the door and put his shoulder
to IT, In another instant, fumbling In
the darkness. he found the bolts and
drove them home.
And IL was done. the transformation
accomplished. His inability to refrain
from interfering had encompassed his
downfall, had changed peaceable and
law abiding alien within British Shores
into busybody. trespasser, a mis-
demeanant. ayes. for all he knew to
the contrary. In the estimation Of the
law. a burglar. prime candidate for a
convict's stripes.
The devilw he whispered. what
an ass. what an utter ass, amr
Behind him the knob was ratified
urgently to an accompaniment of feet
shutting on the stone. and immediate
~. IL he were to make a logical deduc-
ton from the rasping and scraping
sound within the door casing. the bell
pull was violently agitated. without.
however. educing any response from
the bell itself. wherever that might
be situate. after which. as IL In de.
spair. the outsider again ratified and
jerked the knob.
Be his status what Ii might. whether
servant of the household. its caretaker
or night Waterman. the man was
palpably determined both to get him.
self In and Kirkwood out and yet.
curious 10 consider. determined to gain
his end without attracting undue at
rention. kirkwood had expected to
hear the knockers thunder as soon as
the bell failed to give tongue. but IL
did not sound. although there was a
knocker. kirkwood himself had re-
marked that antiquated and rusty biz
Of ironmongery affixed TO the middle
panel Of the door. And II made him
feel sure that something surreptitious
and .awiess was In process within
those walls: that the confederate with
out. having failed TO prevent a stran-
ger from entering. left unemployed a
means so certain sure to rouse the oc-
cupants.
But his inferentiai analysis of this
phase OF the proceedings was summa.
rily abrupted by that identical alarm
In frice the house was filed with
flying echoes. Weakened 10 sonorous
riot By the crash and clanor Of the
knocker. and Kirkwood stood fully
two yards away. his heart hammerina
wildly. bis nerves a-jingle. much as II
the resoundlng blows had landed upon
his own person rather than on stout
oaken plaDklng.
Ere he had time 10 wonder the rack
81 ceased. and from the street filtered
voices In alteration. Listening. Kirk
woods pulses quickened. and be laugh
ed uncertainty for pure relief. retreat
Ing to the door and putting an ear 10 Q
crack.
The accents Of one speaker wers
new 10 his hearing. stern. crisp. quick
with the spirit Of authority which AMI
mates that most austere and dlgnified
limb Of the law 10 be encountered the
world over. London bobby.
wow. then. my man. what do yot
want theref Come. now: speak VI
and step out into the light where I car
see you
The response came In the smiling
snarl OF the London neer-do- well. The
unemployabie rogue whose chief oc
cupatlon seems 10 be 20 march In thu
ranks a the unemployed on the coca
sion Of It's annual demonstrations.
lie me alone. carntcher7 Ah'm do
In no arm, officer.
Didn't you hear met Step out here
All. that's better. No harm. ehl Per
haps you'll explain how there's N
harm brenkIn' into unoccupied 'ouses
"Gorblimy. 'ow was I to know
'Ere's tot 'abds me sixpence fel
hopenin' n cab door sodye. an. sezee
'My man. e seq, we've got a 'ones
fyce. wy doncher work. sezee
"ow can fr sez I. Ere IN bout Of
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