Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-12-28
Gbe
BLACK
BAG
By Louis Joseph Vance
Copyright. 1908. By ths Bsbbs-Assriil cs.

I Copyright 1908. By tAs Bsbbs-hssilI cs.
[cUNTINuED.l
"what?" stammered Calendar, aston
ished What are you driving att"
"Recompense for my time and trou-
BILE. You've cost me pretty penny,
first and last, with your nasty little
conspiracy. whatever it's all about
Now. needing the money, purpose
getting some Of It back. I shan't pre-
cisely rob you. but this is a holdup. all
right. Stryker," reproachfully. 'T don't
see my pearl pin"
81 got 1t 'ere.' responded the sailor
hastily. fumbling with his tie.
"Give 1t me, then" Kirkwood held
out his hand and received the trinket
Then. moving over to the table. the
young man. while abating nothing Of
his watchfulness. sorted out his be-
longings from the mass Of odds and
ends stryker had disgorged. The tale
Of them was complete. The captain
had obeyed him faithfully. Kirkwood
looked up. pleased.
Nov. see here, Calendar, this COL
lection of truck that was robbed Of
by this resurrected Joe Miller here
cost me upward Of $50 I'm going to
sell It to you at bargain-say $50.
$50 francs"
"The deuce you arer' Calendars
eyes opened wide. partly in admiration.
"D'you realize that this Is next door
to highway robbery. my young friend"
High seas piracy. If you prefer" u.s.
sented Kirkwood with entire equanim-
ity I'm going to have the money.
and you're going to give 1t up. The
transaction by any name would smell
no sweeter. Calendar. Come - fork
overw
"And II refuseT
II wouldn't refuse II / were you"
"Why not?"
"The consequences would be too
painful"
"You mean you'd puncture me with
that gunT'
mot unless you attack or attempt to
follow me. l mean to say that the
Belgian police are notoriously most
efficient body and that I'll make It my
duty and pleasure to introduce 'em to
you If you refuse. But you won't"
Kirkwood added soothingly. will you.
Calerdar?"
NO" The adventurer had become
suddenly thoughtful. mo. ! won't
Glad to oblige you"
He tilted his chair still farther back,
Strengthening out his elephantine legs.
inserted one fat hand into his trousers
pocket and with some difficulty eX-
tracted combined bill fold and coin
purse. at once heavy with gold and
bulky with notes. Moistening thumb
and foreflncer. How'll you have it?"
he inquired. with Il lift Of his cunning
eyes. and. when Kirkwood had advised
him. slowly counted out four tifty-franc
notes. placed them near the edge OF
the table and weighted them with FIVE
ten-franc pieces. And THAT all?" he
asked. replacing the pocketbook.
THAT will be about all leave you
presently to your unholy devices, you
and that gay dog over there" The
captain squirmed. reddening. lust by
way of precaution. however. I'll ask
you to wait In here till I'm off," Kirk
wood stepped backward to the door
Of the captains room, opened It and
removed the key from the inside.
"Please take Mulready In with you"
he continued. "By the time you get
out I'll be clear Of Antwerp Please
don't think Of refusing me- really
mean It."
The latter clause came sharply as
Calendar seemed to hesitate. bis
weary. wary eyes gilmmering with
doubt. Kirkwood. watching him as
cat her prey. intercepted lightning
swift sidelong glance that shifted from
his face to the port lockers. forward
But the fat adventurer was evidently
to considerable degree deluded by
the very childlike simplicity Of Kirk
woods attitude II the possibility that
his alteration with Mulready had
been overheard crossed his mind. Cal
endar had little choice other than to
accept the chance. Either way he
moved the risk was great. II he re-
fused to be locked In the captains
room. there was the danger Of the
police. to which Kirkwood had con-
vincingly drawn attention. II he ac-
| cepted the temporary Imprisonment,
he took risk with the gladstone bag.
On the other hand. he had estimated
Kir.;wood's honesty as thoroughgoing
from their drst interview. He had ap-
praised him as gentleman and q
man Of honor And he did not be-
lieve the young man knew, after all.
Perplexed, at length he chose the
smoother way and, with IN indulgent
lifting OF eyebrows and fat shoulders,
rose and caddled over to MulIeady.
"Oh, all right" he conceded, with
| deep to;sration in his tone for the
idiosyncrasles Of youth: ITS all the
same to me. beau" He laughed
| nervous laugh "Come along and LEND
us hand Stryker."
The latter glanced timidly at KIRK
wood. his eyes pleading for leave to
move. which Kirkwood accorded with
m imperative nod and fine flourish
Of the revolver. Promptly the captain
sprang to Calendars assistance, and
between the two Of them, the one tax
ing Mulready's head. the other bis
feet, they lugged him quickly into the
stuffy little stateroom. Kirkwood'
watching and following to the thresh'
old, inserted the key.
zone word more" he counseled, q
hand on the knob. Don't forget I've
warned you what'll happen If you try
l to break even with me-"
"Never fear, little oner Calendar
laugh was hervously cheerful. The
Lord knows you're welcome"
THANK you most to DEATH" re
sponded Kirkwood politely. "0oodby
| and goodby to you, stryker. Glad tt
have humored your desire to meet ms
soon again"
| CHAPTER XXI.
W IRKwOOD. turning the key II