Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-16

mighty kick, shaking the door; which
Kirkwood reflected, opened outward
and was held only by the frailest kind
of a lock; it would not hold long.
Spurred on by a storm Of curses,
Stryker's voice chanting infuri-
ated cacophony with Calendars, Kirk
wood leapt up the companionway even
as the second tremendous kick threat
ened to shatter the panels. Heart in
mouth, chill shiver Of guilt running
up and down his spine he gained the
deck. cast loose the painter, drew in
his rowboat, and dropped over the
side; then, the gladstone bag nesting
between his feet, sat down and bent
to the oars.
And doubts assailed him, pressing
close upon the ebb of his excitement
doubts and fears innumerable.
There was no longer distinction to
be drawn between himself and Calen-
dar; no more could he esteem himself
better and more honest man than
that accomplished swindler He was
advised as to the Belgian code, but
English law, he understood. made no
allowance for the good intent of those
caught in possession of stolen prop.
erty; though he was acting with the
most honorable motives in the world,
he law, if he came within it's cogniz-
ance, would undoubtedly place him
on Calendars plane and Judge him by
the same standard. To all intents and
purposes he was a thief, and thief he
would remain until the gladstone bag
with it's contents should be restored
to its rightful owner
Voluntarily, then, he had stepped
from the ranks of the hunters to those
of the hunted. He now feared police
interference as abjectly as did Calen-
dar and his set of rogues; and Kirk
wood felt wholly warranted in as
Stunning that the adventurer, with his
keen intelligence. would not handicap
himself by ignoring this point. Indeed,
if he were to be judged by what Kirk
wood had inferred of his character,
Calendar would let nothing whatever
hinder him, neither fear Of bodily hurt
nor danger of apprehension at the
hands of the police, from making a
determined and savage play to regain
possession of his booty.
| Well, (Kirkwood set his mouth
savagely) Calendar should have run
| for his money!
For the present he could compli-
ment himself with the knowledge that
he had outwitted the rogues, had lifted
the jewels and probably wo-thirds of
their armament; he had also the start
the knowledge of their criminal guilt
and intent, and his own plans, to com
fort him. AS for the latter, he did not
believe that Calendar would i'm
mediately fathom them; so he took
| heart of grace and tugged at the oars
with a will. pulling directly for the
city and permitting the current to
drift him down stream at its pleasure.
There could be no more inexcusable
folly than TO return to the Quail Steen
landing and (possibly) the arms Of
| the despoiled boat owner.
| At first he could hear crash after
splintering crash sounding duly
muffled from the cabin of the Alethea;
veritable devils tattoo beaten out
by the feet of the prisoners. Evidently
the fastening was serving him better
! than he had dared hope But as the
black rushing waters widened be
tween boat and brigantine, the clamor
aboard the latter subsidized. indicating
that Calendar and Stryker had broken
out or been released by the crew. In
| ignorance as to whether he were seen
or being pursued, Kirkwood pulled on,
winning in under the shadow of the
ouais and permitting the boat to drift
down to lonely landing on the edge
Of the dockvard quarter of Antwerp.
Here alighting, he made the boat
fast and. soothing his conscience with
! a surmise that its owner would find
| it there in the morning, strobe swiftly
over to the train line that runs along
| the embankment swung aboard al
adventitious car and broke his first
ten-franc piece in order to pay his
| fare
| The car made leisurely progress
up past the old Steen castle and the
Quai landing, Kirkwood sitting quietly
the gladstone bag under his hand, a
searching gaze sweeping the water
side No sign of the adventures re-
warded him, but it was now all chance
| all hazard He had no more heart for
confidence.
They passed the Hotel du Commerce
Kirkwood stared up at its windows
wondering.
A little further on disengaged
! farce, its driver alert for possible
/ fares, turned a corner into the esplan
ade At sight of it Kirkwood, inspired
hoped nimbly off the tram-car and
! signaled the cabby. The latter pulled
up and Kirkwood started to chargs
him with instructions, something
which he did haltingly, hampered b.
a slight haziness of purpose. While
thus engaged, and at rest in the starE
! glare OF the street lamps, with nc
chance of concealing himself, he was
aware of rising tumult in the direc
ton of the landing, and slancinE
round, discovered a number Of people
running toward him With no time t.
wonder whether or no he was really
the object of the hue-and-cry, he
tossed the driver three silver francs.
Care Centrale!" he cried. "Anc
drive like the devil
Driving into the farce, he shut th'
door and stuck his head out OF tht
window, taking observations. A rag
ged fringe of silly rabble was bearing
down upon them, with one or two gen
darnes in the forefront, and q giant