The San Francisco call., 1909-03-21

leQ out Inelr quarry. INSTANTLY 10
turned and spoke to his confederate
Calendar wheeled like fash. peering
eagerly IN the direction indicated by
the captains index finger. then, snap
ping instructions to his driver, threw
himself heavily back on the seat.
Stryker. awkward on his land legs,
stumbled and fell in an III calculated
attempt to hoist himself hastily back
into the vehicle.
To the delay thus occasioned alone
Kirkwood and Dorothy owed a respite
of freedom. Their hanson was al
ready swinging down toward the
great gates of the yard, the American
standing to make the driver compre-
hend the Necessity for using the ut
most speed in reaching the Craven
street address. The man proved both
intelligent and obliging; Kirkwood
had barely time to drop down beside
the girl ere the cab was swinging
out into the Strand. to the peril of
the toes belonging to a number OF
righteously indignant pedestrians.
Good boy" commented Kirkwood
cheerfully. That's the greatest COM
fort of all London. the surprising in
tellectual strength the average cabby
displays when you promise him tip
Great Heavens" he cried,
reading the girls dismayed express
sion. "a tip never thought
His face heightened dismally, his eye
brows working awry. Now we are in
for itr'
Dorothy said nothing.
He turned IN the seat. twisting his
neck to peep through the small rear
window. II don't see their cab" he
announced But of course they're
after US. However, Craven streets
Just around the corner; If we get
there first, I don't fancy Freddie Hal
lam will have a cordial reception for
our pursuers. They must We been
on watch at Cannon street, and finding
we were not coming in that way-of
course they were expecting US because
of Hobbs wire-they took cab for
Charing Cross. Lucky for us.
Or is 1t lucky?" he added doubtfully,
to himself
The hanson whipped round the
corner into Craven street Kirkwood
sprang up, grasping the treasure bag,
ready to jump the instant they pulled
in toward Mrs Hallam's dwelling. But
as they drew near upon the address
he drew back with an exclamation Of
amazement.
The house was closed, showing
blank face to the street-blinds drawn
close down in the windows, area gate
padlocked. an estate agents board
projecting from above the doorway,
advertising the property ITO be let,
furnished"
Kirkwood looked back. craning his
neck round the side Of the cab. At
the moment another hanson was
breaking through the rank OF hu-
manity on the Strand' crossing. He
saw one or two figures leap desper-
ately from beneath the horses hoofs.
Then the cab shot out swiftly down
the street
The American stood up again,
catching the cabby's eye.
Drive onE' he cried excitedly. Don't
stop-drive as fast as. you dare?'
Were to. sir?'
See that cab behind? Don't let It
catch us-shake 1T of, lose ii some
how, but for the love Of heaven don't
let it catch US! III make it worth
your while. Do you understand"
Yes. sir" The driver looked
briefly over his shoulder and lifted his
whip. Don't worry. SIR" he cried,
entering into the spirit Of the game
with gratifying zest- "Shan't let 'em
over'aul you, sir. Mind your 'eadp'
And as Kirkwood ducked, the whip
lash shot out over the roof with a
crack like the report of pistol
Startled, the horse leaped Indignantly
forward. Momentarily the cab seemed
to leave the ground. then settled down
Avenue theater and across Northum-
berland avenue into Whitehall place
apparently on a single wheel
A glance behind showed Kirkwood
that already they had gained. the
pursuing hanson having lost ground
through greater caution in crossing
the main travelled thoroughfare.
Good little horsep' he applauded.
A moment later he was indorsing
xuftho,rf rosArUA fha rAnAralShfD of
their cabby; the quick westward turn
that took them into Whitehall. over
across from the Horse Guards, like
wise placed them in pocket Of traffic;
a practically impregnable press Of
vehicles closed in behind them ere
Calendars conveyance could follow out
of the side street.
That the same conditions. but
slightly modified. hemmed them in
ahead. went for nothing IN Kirkwood's
estimation.
Good driverp he approved heartily.
Hes got a head on his shoulders"
The girl found her voice. How"
she demanded in breath, face blank
with CONSERVATION. how did you
dare?"
Dare? he echoed exultantly; and in
his veins excitement was running like
liquid fire. What wouldn't dare for
you. Dorothy7'
What have you not?" she amended
softly, adding with shade OF timidity:
Phillip
The long 1ashes swept up from her
cheeks. like clouds revealing stars. un-
masking eyes radiant and brave to
meet his own; then they fell. even as
her lips dropped with disappointment.
And she sighed. For he was
not looking. Man like. hot with the
ardor OF the chase, he was deaf and
blind to all else.
She saw that he had not even heard
Twice within the day she had forgot
ten herself, had overstepped the rigid
bounds OF her breeding in using his
christian name. And twice he had
been oblivious to that token OF their
maturing understanding. She sighed.
and signing. smiled again; resting
an elbow on the window sill and fat
tening one small gloved hand against
the frame for a brace against the
jouncing hanson. II swept on with
unabated speed. UP stream beside the
tawny reaches of the river; and for a
time there was no speech between
them, the while the girl lost con-
acfouspesa of self and her most fnarnf-