Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-10-28

With Which he produced the article
mentioned. '"This for the discard,
cap'n," he laughed contentedly. push
ing the girls valise aside, and, rum
bling with stentorian mirth, stood
beaming benignantly over the assem-
bled company.
why" he exclaimed, this moment
is worth all it cost me-! My children,
l forgive You freely. Mr.. Kirkwood,
felicitate you cordially on having
secured Il most expensive Wife. Really,
d'you know, l feel as if / ought to
do a little something for you both"
The thick. notified fingers tore nerv-
ously at the catch. 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 Dreatlless
pause ended eventually by a sharp
snap of Calendars teeth. "Mm-m.'
%runted the adventurer in bcwilder-
mcnt. 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
AirkWood the air seemed temporarily
thick With flying objects. Beneath his
astoniShed eyes Il towel fell upon the
1ablc-a crumpled, soilcd towel bear
ing on its dingy hem the inscription
in indclible ink, "IIotel du Commerce,
-Anycrs." y tooth mug of substantial
eartllenware dropped to the floor With
q crash. y Shiny soap dish of the
same manufacture slid across the table
and into Brentwick's lap. A battered
alarm clock with never Il tick left in
its abused carcass rang vigorously as
it fell by the open bag. The remain
der was-oranges. a dozen or more
small, round, golden globes of ripe
fruit, perhaps Il shade overripe. there
fore the more aromatic.
The %adventurer ripped out an oath.
"Mulready." he ragged in fury. Done
up, | swear! Done by that internal
sneak-me, blind as a bait"
He fell suddenly silent, the blood
congesting in his face; as suddenly
broke forth again, haranguing the
company.
THAT'S why he went out and bought
those oranges, is it? Think of time
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 l
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
tight on the boat, eh? 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 Il hand at hunting you two down,
hey? I'll camp on his trail for the
rest of his natural born days! III
have his eyeteeth for this! PIP
He swayed, gibbcring with rage, his
countenance frightfully contorted, his
fat hands shaking as he struggled for
expression.
And then, while yet 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. lie
fell back q pace, fabby jowls pale and
shaking. ponderous jaw dropping on
bis breast. mouth wide and eyes
crazel as he shook violently before
him his thick. tIeshy wrists, securely
handcuffed.
simultaneously the bold mechanician
whirled 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.
Mr.. 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 a revolver
lAOlll " mel . 1illp, ldSS1d dI1SClo.
Roughly the m~echanician 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. Underestimate"
Trembling like a whipped cur, Stry-
ker meekly obeyed his instructions to
the letter.
The mechanician. with a contemptu-
Gus laugh. leaving him, strobe back to
Calendar, meanwhile whipping off his
goggles, and clapped a hearty hand
upon the adventurer's quaking shout
ders.
SWELL" he cried, land are you still
sailing circles round the men from
Scotland Yard, Simmons or Bellows or
Sanderson or Calendar or Crumbstone,
or whatever name you prefer to sail
under?"
Calendar glared at him aghast, then