The San Francisco call., 1909-04-04
csAPrER xvII-continued


worloish, even for London. lie seemed
70 know II subjectively. to have re-
teineo a memory of II from another
existence, as the stage setting of a
vivid dream all forgotten viii some
times recur with peculiar and exas-
perating intensity in broad daylight.
The houses, with their sloping, red
tile roofs. unexpected gables, spon-
taneous dOrmer windows, glass panes
set IN loaded frames, red brick facades
trimmed with green shutters and door
steps Of white stone. each sitting back,
sedate and self-suficient, in its trim
dooryard fenced OF from the public
thoroughfare-au wore an aspect
hauntingly familiar, and yet strange.
A corner sign, remarked in passing.
had named the spot Aspen Villas" !;
though he felt he knew the sound Of
those syllables as well he did the
name OF the Pless. strive as he might
he failed TO make them convey any
thing tangible to his intelligence.
When had he heard OF TT At what
time had HIS errant footsteps taken
him through this curious survival Of
eighteenth century London7
Blindly staggering on, wilted with
WEAKNESS, the horse stumbled IN the
shafts and plunged forward on its
knees Quick as the driver was to pull
II Up. with a cruel jerk OF the bits.
Kirkwood was caught unprepared: :
lurching against the dashboard, he lost
his footing. grasped frantically at the
unstable air and went over, bringing
up IN q sitting position in the gutter,
with a solid shock that Jared his very
teeth.
For a moment dazed he sat there
blinking; by the time he got to his
feet the girl stood beside him. ques-
tioning him with keen sohcitude.
NO" he gasped; mot hurt-only sur
prised. Wait
Their cab had come to a complete
stanostiIl; Calendars was no more than
20 yards behind. and as Kirkwood
caught sight OF him the fat adventurer
was In the act of lifting himself pom
oerously out OF the seat
Tncontinentiy the young man turned
60 the girl and forced the travelling
bag into her hands.
Run for IT." he begged her. Don't
stop 70 argue. You promised-runi I'll
come. ."
Philips" she pleaded.
Dorothy he cried in torment.
Perhaps II was his unquestionabls
distress that weakened her. Suddenly
she yieldeo-with whatever reason He
was only haEily aware OF the swish OF
her skirts behind him; he had no time
20 look round to see that she got away
safely. He had only eyes and thoughts
lor O2lcnC2r ano Stryk6r.
They were both afoot now. and run
ming toward him. the one as awkward
as the other. but neither yielding a
3ot OF their malignant purpose. He
held the picture OF II ODDLY graphic
IN his memory for many q day there
sfter-Calendsr making directly for
him, his heavy featured face a dull red
with the exertien. his fat head dropped
forward as II too heavy for his neck
OF a bull, his small eyes bright with
anger; Stryker shying of at a discreet
angle, evidently with the intention OF
devoting himself to the capture OF the
girl: the two cabs with their detected
screws. at rest IN the middle Of the
quiet. twilit street He seemed even
20 see himself. standing stockily pre-
pared, hands IN his coat pockets, his
own head inclined with 3 suggestion OF
pugnAcity.
succeeds. OF the same scene an In
STAN later; all as It had been before,
their relative positions unchanged
save that Stryker and Calendar
had come to a dead stop. and
that Kirkwoods right arm was lifted
and extended. pointing at the captain.
So forgetful of self was he that Il
required z moments thought to con-
vince him that he was really respon-
sible for the abrupt transformation.
Incredulously he realized that he had
drawn Calendars revolver and pulled
Stryker UP short, IN mid stride, by the
mute menace OF It. as much as by his
hoarse cry Of warning:
''Stryker-not another foot"
With this there chimed Dorothy's
voice. ringing bell clear from little
distance:
Phillip
Like q nash he wheeled, 70 add yet
another picture TO his mental gallery.
Perhaps two score feet up the side
walk a gate stood open: just outside
Il q man OF tall and slender figure,
rugged out IN a bizarre costume con-
sisting mainly OF lowered dressing
attitude OF singular impasEivity; within
II, pausing with q foot lifted to the
doorstep. bag in hand, her head turned
as she looked back, was Dorothy.
As he comprehended these essential
details OF the composition the man IN
the lowered dressing gown raised a
hand, beckoning TO him IN a manner as
imperative as his accompanying words.
'Kirkwood." he saluted the young
man in clear and vibrant voice. put
up that revolver and stop this foolish
ness" And with jerk OF his head to-
ward the doorway, Ia which Dorothy
now waited, hesitants "Come, sir
cuictlyi"
Kirkwood choked on a laugh that
was half q sob. ''Brentwickl" he cried,
restoring the weapon 10 his pocket and
running toward his friend. 'Of all hap
py accidentsr
You may call It that" retorted the
elder man with n neeting smile az
Kirkwood slipped inside the dooryard.
Come" he said, Tets get into the
house.
But you saio-I thought you went to
Munich" etammered Kirkwood; and 80
thoroughly fmpregnated was his mind
with this understanding that II was
hard for him 20 adjust his perceptions
TO the truth.
81 was -detained-by business" re-
sponded Brentwood briefly. His gaze,
weary and wistful behind his glasses.
rested on the face OF the girl on the
threshold OF HIS homei and the faint,
sensitive flush OF her face deepened-i
7e stopped and honored her with bow
that. for all his fantastical attire, would
have Rraced q beau Of an earlier decade.
.s-wiu you be pleased 20 enter?" he sug-
eested punctiliously. My house, such
as II is. Is quite at your disposal And.
he added. with a glance over his shoul-
ders. Il fancy that a word or two may
PRESENTLY be passed which you would
hardly care to hear