The San Francisco call., 1909-01-10

ible design OF graspiag KjrkWOoN
the collar. The latter lifted his sJit
detecting the arm. and fncontinenhs'
landed his other hst forcibly on the
fellows chest The man reeled back.
cursing Before he could recover Kirk
wood calmly crossed the threshold,
closed the door and put his shoulder
to it. In another instant. fumbIing in
the darkness. he found the bolts and
drove them home.
And il was done. the transformation
accomplished. his inability 10 refrain
from interfering had encompassed his
downfall had changed a peaceful and
law abiding alien within British shores
into a busybody. a trespasser. a mis-
demeanant. a-yes. for all he knew to
the contrary. in the estimation Of the
law. burglar. prime candidate for a
convict's stripes,
Breathing hard with excitement he
turned and laid his back against the
panels, trembling in every muscle, ter
rifed by the result of his impulsive
audacity. thunder struck by a light
ming like foreglimpse of its possible
consequences. OF what colossal impru-
dence had he not been guilty?
'sThe devil.' he whispered. What an
ass. what an utter ass I am
Behind him the knob was ratified
urgently. to an accompaniment of feet
shutting on the stone; and Immediately
If he were TO make a logical deduc-
tion from the rasping and scraping
sound within the door casing-the bell
pull was violently agitated. without,
however. educing any response from
the bell itself. wherever that might
be situate. After which, as If in
despair, the outsider again ratified and
jerked the knob.
Be his status what it might whether
servant of the household, it's care
taker, or a night watchman, the man
was palpably determined both to get
himself in and Kirkwood out, and yet
Ccurious to consider) determined to
gain his end without attracting undue
attention Kirkwood had expected
TO hear the Knockers thunder. as soon
as the bell failed to give tongue;
but ii did not sound, although there
was a knocker-Kirkwood himself had
remarked that antiQuated and rusty
bit OF fronmongery affixed to the middle
panel OF the door. And It made him
feel sure that something surreptitious
and lawless was in process within those
walls. that the confederate without,
from entering. left unemployed a means
so certain s ire 10 rouse the occupants
But his inferential analysis of this
phase OF the proceedings was summar-
lily abrupted by that Identical alarm.
In trice the house was filled with
flying echoes. wakened TO sonorous riot
by the crash and clamor OF the knocker:
and Kirkwood stood fully two yards
away. his heart hammering wildly, his
nerves aJingle, much as If the resound-
ing blows had landed upon his own
person rather than on stout oaken
planking.
Ere he had time to wonder, the racket
ceased. and from the street filtered
voices in alteration. Listening, Kirk
woods pulses quickened. and he
laughed uncertainty for pure relief. re-
treating TO the door and putting an ear
to a crack
The accents Of one speaker were new
in his hearing. stern. crisp. quick with
the spirit of authority which animates
that most austere and dignified limb of
the law TO be encountered the world
over. LonSon bobby.
esow then. my man. who do you want
thereZ Come now, speak up. and step
out INFO the light. where l can see
YOU"
The response came in the smiling
snarl of the London ne'er-do-w well. the
unemployable rogue whose chfefest oc-
cupation seems to be to march in the
ranks Of the unemployed on the occa-
sion of its annual demonstrations.
'Le' me alone. carntcher? Ah'm doin'
no arm. officer
Didn't you hear me2 Step out here.
All. that's better. No harm. eh? Per-
haps you'n explain how there's no
harm breakin' into unoccupied 'ouses2 p
Gorbiimy, 'ow was j to know2 'Ere's
a tOm ands me sixpence fer hopenfn'
is cab door todye, an. sezee My man.
e sez. 'yer've got 'onest fyce. Wy
don'cher work. sezee 'Ow can I?' sez