The San Francisco call., 1909-04-11
m-The Crown and Miter

bows and smiles, ushered him into a
private parlor reserved for the party
Immediately bustling off in a desperate
furry. to secure refreshments desired
by Brentwick
The girl had seated herself on one
end of an extremely comfortless lounge
and was making a palpable effort to
seem at ease. Brentwick stood at one
Of the windows. shoulders rounded and
head bent, hands cIasped behind his
back as he peered out into the night.
Kirkwood dropped the travelling bag
beneath chair the farthest removed
from the doorway, and took to pacing
the floor.
In the corner of the room a tall
grandfather's clock licked off 10 INTERIM
, Unable minutes. For some reason un-
did not reappear. Brentwick, abruptly
turning from the window, remarked
the fact querulously, then drew a chair
up TO marble topped table in the mid
die Of the floor.
My dear" he requested the girl
will you oblige me by sitting over
here? And Philip, bring up chair,
If you Will We must not permit our
selves TO worry. and have something
interest for a while"
To humor him and alleviate his evi-
dent distress of mind, they acceded.
Kirkwood found himself seated oppo-
site Dorothy, Brentwick between them.
After some hesitation, made the more
notable by an air of uneasiness which
sat oddly on his shoulders, whose COM
posure and confident mfen had thereto
fore been so complete and so reassur-
Inc oTrl lev, lad IN
an inner coat pocket and brought to
light a small black leather wallet.
He seemed TO be on the point Of open
ing it when hurried footballs sounded
in the hallway. Brentwick placed the
wallet. still with its secret intact, on
the table before him. as Charles burst
unceremoniously in, leaving the door
wide open.
Mr.. Brentwick, sir" he cried gustily.
That other car
With smothered ejaculation Kirk
wood leaped to his feet, tugging at the
weapon in his pocket. In another in
slant he had the revolver exposed.
TIE girls cry of alarm, interrupting
the machinist, fixed Brentwicks atten-
ton on the young man. He, too. stood
up, reaching over very quickly 10
clamp strong supple fingers round
Rirkwood's wrist, while with the other
hand he laid hold of the revolver and
by a single twist wrenched 1T away.
Kirkwood turned upon him IN fury.
"So." he cried, shaking with passion.
This is what your hospitality meanti
You're going to"
My dear young friend" interrupted
Brentwick with a flash of impatience,
remember that II I had designed to
betray you. 1 could have asked no
better opportunity than when you were
my guest under my own roof"
"But-hang 1t all, BrentwickP' ex-
postulated Kirkwood. ashamed and con-
trite, but worked upon by desperate
apprehension; Il didn't mean that,
but"
would you have bullets flying when
she IS nearZ' demanded Brentwick
scathingly. Hastily he slipped the re-
volver upon little shelf beneath the
table top. SIR he Informed Kirk
wood with some heat, II love you as
my own son, but you're young fool!
as have been in my
time and as would 70 heaven
7 might be again, Be advised, Philip
be calm. Can't you see it's the only
way TO save your treasurer"
Hang the jewels" retorted Kirk
wood warmly. what"
"Sir. who said anything about the
5ewels?"
AS Brentwick spoke. Calendars cor
pulent figure filed the doorway:
Stryker's weather worn features loom
ed over his shoulder. distorted in
cheerful leer.
las TO the Jewels" announced the
fat adventurer, I've got q word to say,
II you put it 10 me that way"
He paused on the threshold, partly
for dramatic effect, partly for his own
satisfaction. his quick eyes darting
from face to face of the four people
whom he had caught so unexpectedly.
A shade OF complacency colored his
expression, and he smiled evilly be-
meath the coarse short thatch OF his
gray mustache. In his hand a revolver
appeared, poised for Immediate use II
there were need.
There was none. Brentwick, at his
primal appearance. had dropped
peremptory hand on Kirkwood's shoul-
der, forcing the young man back to
his seat; al the same time he resumed
his own. The girl had not stirred from
hers since the sfirst alarm: she sat as
II transfxed with terror, leaning for
ward with her elbows on the table. her
hands tightly clasped. her face, a little
bIanched turned to the door. But her
scarlet lips were set and firm with
in1exible purpose. and her brown eyes
met Calendars with a look level and
unfinching. Beyond this she gave no
sign of recognition
Nearest of the four TO the adventur-
ers was Charles, the mechanician,
paused in affrighted astonishment at
sight of the revolver. Calendar, choos-
ing TO advance suddenly, poked the
muzzle of the weapon jocularly in the
mans ribs. Beat 1t. Four-eyesw he
snapped. This is your cue TO duckl
Get out OF my way
The mechanician jumped as If shot,
then hastily retreated to the table, his
sallow features working beneath the
google mask which had excited the fat
adventurer's scorn.
Come right IN, Cap'n." Calendar
threw over one shoulder; come In,
shut the door and lock it. Let's all be
sociable. and have a nice quiet time"
Stryker obeyed, with q derisive
grimace for Kirkwood.
Calendar, advancing jauntiiy to a.
point within yard OF the table, stop
ped. smiling anably down upon his
prospective victims. and airily twirl-
ing his revolver.
Good evening. allr' he saluted them
blandly. Dorothy. my child" with
assumed concern. you're looking a tri-
fie upset; I'm afraid you've been keep
ing late hours. Little girls must be
careful. you know, or they lose the
hloon 0f roses in fheir chaa1rS