Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-11-02
By Louis Joseph Vance
Copyright. 1908. by the Bobbs-Merrin Co.

ously at the eaten. eventually he got
the bag open. Those about the table
bent forward. all quickcned by the
prospect of for the first time behold
ing the treasure over which they had
fought, for which they had suffered
SO long.
heady and luscious fragrance per-
vaded the atmosphere. exhaling from
the open mouth Of the bag. A silence,
Indefinitely sustained, impressed itself
upon the little audience-a breathless
pause ended eventually by a sharp
snap of Calendars teeth. "NIm-m."
grunted the adventurer in bewilder-
ment. He began to pant
Abruptly his heavy hands delved
into the contents of the bag, like the
paws of a terrier digging in earth. To
kirkwood the air seemed temporarily
thick with flying objects Beneath his
astonished eyes towel fell upon the
table-a crumpled. soiled towel bear
ing on its dingy hem the inscription
in indelblo ink. Hotel du Commerce,
Anvers." j tooth mug of substantial
a crash y Shiny soap dish of the
same manufacture slid across the table
and into Brentwicll's lap. a battered
alarm clock with never tick left in
It's abused carcass rang vacuously us
it fell by the open bag. The remain
der was-cranges, dozen or more
small. round. golden globes of ripe
f,.,,if eI,o Il
fore the more aromatic
The adventurer ripped out an oath.
"NIulready!' he ragged in fury. Done
up. l swear. Done by that internal
sneak-me. blind as a bat!'
He fell suddenly silent, the blood
broke forth again. haranguing the
company.
That's why he went out and bought
those oranges, is it? Think of tine
sitting in the hotel in Antwerp and
him Juggling in oranges by the bagful
because he was fond of fruit! When
did he do it? How do l know? If
knew, would l be here, and him the
devil knows where this minute? When
my back was turned, of course! That's
why he was so hot about picking a
fight on the boat, ell? Wanted to get
thrown off and take to the woods.
leaving me with this! And that's why
he felt so awful done up he wouldn't
take a hand at hunting you two down,
hey? I'll camp on his trail for the
rest of his natural born days! I'll
have his eyeteeth for this! I'll'-
lie swayed. gibbering with rage, his
countenance frightfully contorted, his
fat hands shaking as he struggled for
expression.
And then, while vet their own aston
ishment held Dorothy. Kirkwood,
Brentwick and Stryker speeches.,
Charles, the mechanician, moved sud-
denly upon the adventurer.
There followed two metallic clicks.
Calendars rawlings were abrupted as
if his tongue had been paralyzed. he
fell back a pace, tlabby jowls pale and
shaking ponderous jaw dropping on
his breast. mouth wide and eyes
crazed as he shook violently before
him his thick, teshy wrists. securely
handcuffed.
simultaneously the bold pechanician
whired about. bounded eagerly across
the floor and caught Stryker at the
door. his deXterous fingers twisting in
the captains collar as he jerked him
back and tripped him.
mir. Kirkwood," he cried. here,
please. one moment! Take this mans
gun from him, will you?"
Kirkwood sprang to his assistance
and without encountering much trou-
BILE succeeded in wrestling revolver
from Strykrr's limp. taccid fingers.
Roughly the mechanician shook the
man. dragging him to his feet. Now"
he ordered sternly, you march to that
corner. stick your nose in it and be
good. You can't get away if you try.
I've got other men outside, waiting for
you to come out. Understand?
Trembling like whipped cur. Stry-
kcr meekly obeyed his instructions to
the letter.
The mechanician, with a contemptu-
Gus laugh. leaving him. strobe back to
Calendar. meanwhile whipping off his