Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-09-17

he had apparently drawn in self de-
Tense at the crisis of Mulready's
frenzy. Its muzzle was detected He
looked kirkwood over with cool
gray eye. the color gradually return
ing to his fat, clean shaven cheeks, re-
placing the pardonable pallor which
had momentarily rested thereon.
AS for Kirkwood, he had covered
the fat adventurer before he knew 1t.
Stryker, who had been standing imme-
diately in the rear of Calendar, imme-
diately covered and cringed to find
himself in the line of fire.
OF the three conscious men In the
brigantine's cabin Calendar was prob
ably the least confused or excited,
Stryker WAS palpably unnamed
lakewood was tingling with sense
of mastery. but collected and rapidly
revolving the combinations for the re-
versed conditions which had been
brought about by Mulready's drunken
folly. His citation was apparent in his
shining boyish eyes as well as in the
bright color that glowcd in his cheeks
When he decided to speak. it was with
rapid enunciation, but clearly and con-
cisely.
Calendar" he began. ''if 4 single
shot is fired about this vessel the river
police will lie 1 .zing round your ears
In Il brace of shakes"
The fat ncven;urer nodded assent,
his eyes contracting.
Every we'll" continued Kirkwood
brusquely. You must know that
have personally nothing to fear from
the police If arrested wouldn't be
detained a day. On the other hand,
you Hand me that pistol. Calendar,
butt first. please. Look sharp, my
man! If you DON'T
He left the ellipsis to be filled in by
the corpulent blackguard's Intelligence.
The latter. gray eyes still intent on the
younger mans face, wavered, plainly
impressed, but still wondering.
"Quick! I'm not patient tonight"
No longer was Calendar Of two
minds. In the face of Ilirkwood's at
titude there was but one course to be
followcd-that of obedience. Calendar
surrendered an untenable position as
gracefully as could be wished.
II guess you know what ycu mean
by this" he said, rendering the weapon
as per instructions. I'm doggoned if
do. You'll allow certain latitude
in consideration Of my relief. l can't
say we were anticipating this-ah-
heaven sent visitation"
Accepting the revolver with his left
hand and settling his fore finger on
the trigger Kirkwood beumed with
pure enjoyment. He found the defer.
ence Of the older man, tempered
though 1t was by his indomitablc
swagger, refreshing in the extreme.
"A little appreciation isn't exactly
out Of place. come to think Of it," he
commented, adding, with an eye for
the captain. "Stryker, you bold. bad
butterfly, have you got II gun conceal
ed about your unclean persona"
The captain shook visibly with con,
triton. mo. Mr.. Kirkwood," he man
aged to reply in voice singularly lack.
ing in his wonted buster.
Say sir! suggested hirkWoCd.
mo. Mr. Kirkwood sir" amended
Stryker eagerly,
Nov, come round here and let's
have look ut you, Please stay where
you are, Calendar. Why. captain, yor
are shivering from head to foot Not
i'll are you. you wag? Step over tc
, the table there. Stryker, and turn Out
your pockets; turn EN- inside out and
let's see what you carry in the way
Of offensive artillery. And, Stryker
don't be rash: don't do anything you'd
be sorry for afterward."
mo fear of that" mumbled the cap
tain. meekly shambling toward the ia
BILE and, in his anxiety to give no cause
for unpleasantness, beginning to emp
ty his pockets on the way.
Don't forget the sir, Stryker. And