Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-11-02

&
detective vehemently You haven't
got Il shred Of evidence against me.
What's there? a pile of oranges and
peck of trash What of it? Be-
Sides" he threatened, IF you pinch
me you'll have to take the girl in too.
l swear that whatever stealing was
done she did it, I'll not be trapped
this way by her and let her off with
out squeal. Take me-take her. d'you
hear?''
~ think" put in the clear. bland ac-
cents of Brentwick, I'VE can consider
that matter settled. have here. my
man." nodding to the adventurer as
he took up the black leather wallet
II have here little matter which may
clear up any lingering doubts as to
your standing which you may be dis
posed at present to entertain"
He extracted a slip of cardboard and
ut arms length laid it on the table
edge beneath the adventurers eyes.
The latter. bewildered, bent over it for
a moment. breathing heavily. then
Strengthened back, shook himself,
laughed shortly with mirthless note
and faced the detective.
Its come with you. now,' guess?"
he suggested very quietly.
THE Bannister warrant is still out
for you." returned the man. "That'll
be enough to hold you on TIL! eXtradi-
ton papers arrive from the States"
"Oh, I'll waive those. and won't
give you any trouble either. reckon"
unused the adventnrer. jingling his
manacles thoushtfully. I'm Il back
number anyway. When half grown
girl, half baked boy, flub like Null
ready and clubfooted snipe from
Scotland Yard can put it all over me
this way, why, guess it's up to me to
go home and retire to my country
place up the Hudson" He sighed
YEARLY. Yep; time to cut it out. But
l would like to be free long enough to
get in one good lick at that mutt Null
ready. My friend. you get your hands
on him, and I'll squeal on him till I'm
blue in the face. That's promise"
You'll have the chance before long"
replied the detective. I'VE received a
telegram from the Amsterdam police
late this afternoon, saying they'd pick
ed up Mr.. Mulready with a woman
on suspicion. 1t seems" turning to
Brentwick, they were opening nego-
tiations for the sale of lot of stones
and seemed in such precious hurry
that the diamond merchants suspi-
cions We're reused. We're sending over
for them, Miss Calendar, so you can
make your mind easy about your jew
els. You'll have them back In few
days"
THANK you." said the girl with an
effort
WELL" the adventurer delivered his
peroration. 81 certainly am blamed
glad to hear it. 'Twouldn't we been a
square deal any other way"
Then, with an uncertain nod compre-
hending the girl, Kirkwood and Brent.
wick. $50 long" he said thickly and
/ turned. with the detectives hand I'M
der bis arm. and, accompanied by the
thoroughly cowed Stryker, waddled out
Of the room.
Kirkwood. following the exodus,
closed the door with elaborate care
and slowly, deep in thought, returned
to the table.
Brentwick had slipped down in his
chair, resting his silvered head upon
its back, and was smiling serenely up
at the low yellow ceiling. Before him
on the table his long white fingers
were drumming an inaudible tune.
Presently rousing. he caught Kirk
woods eye and smiled sheepishly, like
child caught in innocent mischief.
The younger man grinned broadly.
And you were responsible for all thatv'
he commented, infinitely amused.
Brentwick nodded. twinkling self sat.
isfaction. II contrived it ALL" he said
Neat. call it too Els old eyes
frightened with reminiscent enjoy.
ment. inspiration" he crowed softly
inspiration. pure and simple. I'd been
worrying my wits for fully five min
utes before Wotton settled the matter
by telling me about the captains hir.
ing of the motor car. Then in flash
had it. talked with Charles by
telephone-his name is really Charles
by the bye-overcame his conscientious
scruples about playing his fish when
they were already all but landed and
settled the artistic details"
He chuckled delightedly. "Its the
instinct" he declared emphatically-
1.-THE instinct for adventure. knew
1t was in me. latent somewhere but
never till this day did it get the op
| portunity to assert itself. A born ad
venturer-that's what l am! You see
1t was essential that they should be
lieve we were frightened and running
from them. That way they would be
sure to run after us. Why. we might
have baited dozen traps and failed
to lure them into my house after thai
stout scoundrel knew you'd had the
chance to tell me the whole yarn
Odd"
Weren't you taking chances, yor
ously.
Precious few. There was another
motor from Scotland Yard trailing
Captain STRIKERS. If they had rur
past or turned aside they would have
been overhauled in short order"
what don't understand" contend
ed Kirkwood, sis how you convinced
Calendar that he couldn't get reveng,
by pressing his charge against Mis-
misunderstanding"
"Oh-h" Mr.. Brentwick elevated hi
fine white eyebrows and sat up brisk