The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-07-08

The black Rushing lratcrs ,oideaed be
ttcccn boat and brigdntine.
poll out Of the window to incite HE
drivers cupidity with promises of re-
doubled fare.
kirkwood mopped his dripping fore
head and whistled low with dismay
1t seemed that from that instant on II
was to be vendetta with a vengeance.
Calendar. as he had foreseen. was
stopping at nothing.
At dogtrot he sped down the alley
to the next street. on which he turned
back-more sedately-toward the river.
debouching on the esplanade just one
block from the Hotel du Commerce.
As he swung past the serried tables
of a cafe whatever fears he had har-
bored were banished by the discovery
that the excitement occasioned by the
chase had already subsidized. Beneath
the garish awnings the crowd was
laughing and chattering. eating and
slipping its beer with complete uncon-
Germ, needless altogether Of the bag
gard and shabby young man carrying
a black hand bag. Without attracting
any attention whatever. indeed, be
mingled with the strolling crowds.
making his way toward the Hotel du
Commerce. Yet he was not at all ct
ease. His uneasy conscience invested
the gladstone bag with a magnetic at
traction for the public eye. To
carry It unconcealed in his hand fur
nished him with a sensation as dis
turbing as though It's worn black sides
had been stenciled "Stoleny' In letters
Of flame. He felt It rendered him a
cynosure Of public interest. an object
Of suspicion to the wide. cold world:
that the gaze which III upon the bag
Travelled to bis face only to espy
thereon the brand Of guilt.
For ease Of mind presently he
turned into a convenient shop and
spent ten invaluable francs for a hand
satchel big enough to hold the glad
stone bag.
With more courage. now that be had
the hateful thing under cover. he found
and entered the Hotel du Commerce.
In the little closet which served for
an Office, over desk visibly grooming
with the weight Of an enormous and
grimy registry book, a sleepy. fat,
bland and good natured woman pre-
sided. benign and drowsy divinity Of
even tempered courtesy. To his mis-
leading inquiry for VI. Calendar she
returned cheerful permission to seek
that gentleman for himself. -
Three flights. m'sleu'. In the front.
Suit IL Il Is. M'sieu' does not mind
walking upT' she inquired.
M'sleu' did not In the least. though
by no strain OF. the imagination could
Ii be tIuthfully said that he walked
up those steep and redolent stairways
Of the Hotel du Commerce d'Anvers.
More literally. be few with winged
feet. spurning each third padded step
with force that raised a tiny cloud
OF fne white dust from the carpeting.
Breathless. at last he paused at the
top Of the third flight. His heart was
hammering. his pulses drumming like
wild things; there was a queer con-
strlctlon IN his throat. a fire Of hope In
bis heart alternating with the ice Of
doubt Suppose she were not there!
What II be were mistaken? What II he
bad misunderstood! What IL Muiready
ard Calendar had referred to another
lodging housei He passed down the
corridor 10 the door whose panels wore
the painted legend II and there
knocked.
Believing that he overheard from
within a sudden startled exclamation.
he smiled patiently, tolerant of her
surprise.
Burning with impotence as with n
fever. be endured long minutes walt
Mlsgivings we're prompting him to
knock again and summon her by name
when Ne heard footballs on the other
side 81 the door. followed By a click
81 The lock The door was opened
grudgingly a bare six inches.
OF the alarmed expression In the
eyes that stared Into his he took no
account. His face heightened a little
as he stood there. dumb. painting. star.
Ing. and bis heart sank. down. deep
down into gulf Of disappointment.
weighted sorely with chagrin.
Then. Of the two the first TO recover
countenance. be doffed bis cap and
bowed.
Good evening. Mrs. Haliam," be
said. with a ruefuI smile.
CHAPTER XIII