Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-16
Copyrigflt-By Bobbs, Merrill Co.

fcHAPTER xIy-ContinuedD


CHAPTER XIv-Continued.)
despite the fact that you're an hon
est man, Kirlzwood?" The fat lips
twitched with premature enjoyment.
"I'm desperate man tonight, what
ever I may have been yesterday. =
The young mans tone was both earn
est and convincing. Il think I've
shown that by my rertinacity in hunt
ing you down"
'sWell-yes," Calendars thick fin
gers caressed his lips, trying to hide
the dawning smile
s'Is that offer still open?''
His nonchalence completely restor-
ed by the very naivete of the proposi-
ton, Calendar laughed openly and
with a trace of irony, The episode
seemed to be turning out better than
he had anticipated Gently his mottled
fat fingers played about his mouth
and chins as he looked Kirkwood up
and down.
I'm sorry" he replied, "that it isn't
now You're too late, Kirkwood;
I've made other arrangements"
tToo bad" Kirkwoods eyes mar
rowed "You force me to harsher
measures, Calendar
Genuinely diverted, the adventurer
laughed a second time, tipping back
in his chair, his huge frame shaking
with ponderous enjoyment. don t
do anything you'd be sorry for he
parroted, sarcastical, the young mans
recent admonition to the captain
''No fear, Calendar I'm just going
to use my advantage, which you Won
dispute, the pistol described an elo-
auent circle, cleaning in the lamp
light TO levy on you a little legiti-
mate blacknlail. Don't be alarmed; |
shan't hit you any harder than I have
to-"
WHAT" stammered Calendar, as
tonished What in hell are you driv-
Ing at?''
"Recompense for my time and trou'
BILE. You've cost me a pretty penny
first and last, with your nasty little
conspiracy whatever it's all about
Now, needing the money, I propose
getting some of it back I shan't pre-.
cisely rob you, but this is q hold-up
oil right. "Stryker,' re
proachfully, 81 don't see my pearl pin
81 got it ere responded the sailor
hastily, fumbling with his tie.
.'Give it me, then kirkWood held
out his hand and received the trinket
Then, moving over to the table, the
young man, while abating nothing Of
his watchfulness, sorted out his be
longings from the mass of odds and
ends Stryker had disgorged The tale
of them was complete; the captain
had obeyed him faithfully Kirkwood
looked up, pleased.
tNow see here Calendar; this col
lection of truck that l was robbed o.
by this resurrected Joe Miller here
cost me upwards of a hundred ant
fifty. I'm going to sell it to you at {
bargain, say fifty dollars, two hun
dred and fifty francs"
s4The juice you are" Calendar!
eyes opened wide partly in admira
ton. "D'you realize that this is mex
door to highway robbery, my youns
friend?"
4High-seas piracy if you prefer,
assented Kirkwood with entire equa
ninnity I'm going to have the money
and you're going to give it up. TIL,
transaction by any name would smell
no sweeter, Calendar. Come --forl
overt"
"And if / refuse?"
81 wouldn't refuse if I were you"
'sWhy not?"
tgThe consequences would be to-
painful
'You mean you'd puncture me wit
that gun
mot unless you attack or al
tempt to follow me I mean to sa
that the Belgian police are notoriousl
a most efficient body, and that L.
make it my duty and pleasure to II
troduce 'em 10 you, if you refuse. Blu
you won't" kirkwood added soothing
ly, twill you, Calendar"
mo" The adventurer had becom
suddenly thoughtful. mo, I won
Glad to oblige you
He tilted his chair farther bacl
Strengthening out his elaphantine leg
Inserted one fat hand into his trouse
pocket and with some difficulty e;
tracted a combined bill-fold and coli
purse, at once heavy with gold an
bulky with notes. Moistening thun
and forefinger. How'll you have it
he inquired with lift of his cunnin
eyes; and when Kirkwood had al
vised him, slowly counted out for
fifty-franc pieces, placed them nea
the edge of the table. and weighe