Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-06-24
CHAPTER VII.
ELL, Mr.-Kirkwood
lA/ Mrs. Hallam." he STAN
wv mered, "I'-

ment stepped back across the thresh
Old, where she paused. rounded arm
barring the entrance, one hand grasp-
Ing the doorknob, as If to shut him
out at any moment.
I'm awaiting your explanation" she
said coldly
He grinned with nervousness. striy-
ing to penetrate the mental processes
OF this handsome Mrs. Hallam. She
seemed to regard him with suspicion
which he thought inexcusable. Did
she suppose he had spirited Dorothy
Calendar away and then called to ap-
prise her of the fact. or that he was
some sort of adventurer who had
manufactured plausible yarn to gain
him access to her home or-harking
back to her original theory-that he
was an emissary from Scotland Yard?
Probably she distrusted him on the
latter hypothesis. The reflection left
him more at ease
i am quite as mystified as you. Mrs.
Hallam." he began. Miss Calendar
was here at this door in a four wheel
er not ten minutes ago, and
Then where is she now"
TEL me where Calendar is" he re-
torted, inspired. land I'll try to an
| swer your
But her eyes were blank. "You
mean
THAT Calendar was in this house
when l came: that he left. found his
daughter in the cab and drove of with
her. It's clear enough"
You are quite mistaken" she said
thoughtfully. George Calendar has
not been here this night"
| He wondered that she did not seem
to resent his imputation. II think
| not
Listen" she cried. raising a warn
Ing hand. and. relaxing her vigilant
attitude. moved forward once more to
peer down toward the embankment.
A cab had cut in from that direction
and was bearing down upon them with
brisk rumble Of hoofs. AS it ap-
preached. Kirkwood's heart. tina, had
lightened. was weighed upon again by
disappointment 1t was no four wheel
er, but hanson. and the open wings
of the apron. disclosing a white TRAN
gle Of linen surmounted by glowing
spot of fire. betrayed the sex of the
fare too plainly to allow of further
hope that 1t might be the girl return
ing.
At the door the cab pulled up sharp
~ and man tumbled hastily out upon
the sidewalk.
Here" he cried throatily. tossing
the cabby his fare. and turned toward
the pair upon the doorstep. evidently
surmising that something was amiss
for he was Calendar in proper person
and sight to upset in a twinkline
Kirkwood's ingeniously builded castle
Of suspicion.
"Mrs. Hallamw he cried. out OF
breath. "Is my daughter here?" And
then. catching sight Of Kirkwood's
countenance: why. hello. Kirkwoody
He saluted him with dubious air.
The woman interrupted hastily
"Please come in. Mr. Calendar. This
gentleman has been inquiring for you
with an astonishing tale about your
daughter"
Dorothy Calendars moonlike Wis
age was momentarily Invested of any
trace of color. what Of herr"
you had better come In" advised
Mrs. Hallam brusquely.
The fat adventurer hoped hurriedly
across the threshold, Kirkwood follow
ing. The woman shut the door and
turned with back to 1t. nodding sig
nificantly at Kirkwood as her eyes me,
Calendars.
"Well. well?" snapped the latter i'm
patiently. turning to the young man.
But Kirkwood was thinking quick
~. For the present he contented him
self with deliberate statement o.
fact, Miss Calendar has disappear
ed" 1t gave him an instant's time
there's something fshyw he tolt
himself. These two are playing a
cross purposes. Calendars no fool
He's evidently'a crook to boot. As fol
the woman. she's had her eyes opeI
for a number Of years. The MAR
things Dorothy. She didn't vanish Of
her own initiative. And Mrs. Hallan
knows or suspects more than she'i
going to tell. don't think she want.
Dorothy found. Calendar does. 81
do I. Ergo, I'm for Calendar"
"DisappearedT Calendar was bark
ing at him. How? When? Where?'
"within ten minutes" said Kirk
wood "Here; let's get It straight
And he told what had happened. men
tioning that he had not paid the cal
driver.
Thanks" said Calendar dryly. 81,
bent his head in thought for an in
slant. then looked up and fixed Mrs
Hallam with an unprejudiced eye
II sayv' he demanded explosively
"There wasn't any one here tina
knew-eh?"
Her fine eyes wavered and fell be
fore his. and Kirkwood remarked tina
her underlip was curiously drawn In.
Il heard a man leave as Mrs. Hallan
Joined me-" he volunteered helpfully
and with suspicion of malice. "Ant
after that paid no attention at tn,