Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-12-21
NUMBER 81.

whether your hip pockets are empty.
I've heard it's the habit of you gentry
to pack guns in your clothes. None7
That's all right. then. Now roost on
the transom over there In the corner.
Stryker, and don't move. Don't let
me hear a word from you. Under
standT
Submissively the captain retired to
the indicated spot. Kirkwood turned
to Calendar. Of whose attitude, how
ever, he had not been for an instant
unmindful.
won't you sit down, Mr. CalendarT
he suggested pleasantly. "Forgive me
for keeping you waiting"
For his own part, as the adventurer
dropped passively into his chair Kirk
wood stepped over Mulready and ad-
vanced to the middle Of the cabin, at
the same time thrusting Calendars re-
volver into his own coat pocket. The
other, Mulready's. he nursed signifi-
cantly with both hands. while he stood
temporarily quiet. surveying the fieshy
face Of the prime factor in the intrigue.
A quaint. grim smile played about
the Americans lips. smile little
contemptuous. more than little in
scrutable. In Its light Calendar grew
restive and lost something Of his as.
surance. His feet shifted uneasily be-
meath the table. and his dark eyes wa
vered. evading Kirkwood's At length
he seemed to find the suspense unen-
durable
"Well." he demanded testify. what
d'you want Of me?"
81 was just wondering at you. Cal
endar In the last few days you've
given me enough cause to wonder. rs
you'll admit"
The adventurer plucked up spirit de-
luded by Klrkwood's pacific tone. II
wonder at you, Mr.. Kirkwood." he re-
torted ut was good Of you to save
my life. and
"rm not so sure Of that! Perhaps
It had been more humane
Calendar owned the touch with
wry grimace. But I'm hanged II
understand this high handed attitude
of yours" he concluded heatedly.
Don't you" Kirkwood's humor be-
came less apparent, the smile SOLDERING.
"You WILL" he told the man, adding
abruptly. Calendar. where's your
daughter"
The restless eyes sought the COM
panionway
Dorothy the man lied spontane.
ously, without a tremor. sis with
friends in England Why? Did you
want to see herr"
81 rather expected to-"
"Well. ! thought It best 10 leave her
home, after all"
"I'm glad to hear she's In safe
hands," commented Kirkwood.
The adventurer's glance analyzed his
face "Ah." he said slowly. 81 see.
You followed me on Dorothy's ac-
count, Mr. Kirkwood?"
"Partly-partly on my own Let
me put II to you fairly When you
forced yourself upon me. back therc
In London, you offered me some sort
Of employment. When ! rejected 1t
you used me to your ADVANTAGE for the
furtherancc Of your purposes, which
I confess don't understand. and made
me miss my steamer. Naturally when
found myself penniless and friend
less In strange country ! thought
again Of your offer and tried to find
you to accept It,"
"Despite the fact that you're an hon.
est man, KirkwoodT' The fat lips
twitched with premature enjoyment.
"Tm desperate man tonight, what
ever | may have been yesterday" The
young mans tone was both earnest
and convincing. II think I've shown
that by my pertinacity in hunting you
down"
"Well-yes." Calendars thick fin
gers caressed his lips. trying to hide
the dawning smile.
as that offer still open!"
His nonchalance completely restored
by the frankness of the proposition,
Calendar laughed openly and with
trace of irony. The episode seemed to
be turning out better than he had an
ticipated. Gently his mottled fat fin
gers played about his mouth and chins
as he looked Kirkw wood up and down.
"I'm sorry" he replied, that It isn't
now. You're too late. Kirkwood.
I've made other arrangements"
"Too bad" Kirkwood's eyes mar
rowed. you force me to harsher
measures. Calendar"
Genuinely diverted. the adventurer
laughed second time, tipping bnck In
his chair. his huge frame shaking with
ponderous enjoyment. Don't do any
thing you'd be sorry for" he parroted,
sarcastical. the young mans recent ad-
monitlon to the captain.
"No fear, Calendar I'm Just going
to use my advantage, which you
wouldn't dispute"-the pistol described
an eloquent circle. cleaning In the
lamplight-"to levy on you little le-
gitImate blackmaIl. Don't be alarmed.
| shan't hit you any harder than
have TO-"