The San Francisco call., 1909-02-21
GM4XX

vas at varying angles to catch tn
wind
Slowly. too. in the shadow OF that
Mechlin spire the horizon grew rough
and elevated. taking shape IN the ser
rated profile of thousand gables and
a hundred towers and cross crowned
steeples-
Once or twice. more and more an
nOyed as the time OF their association
seemed to grow more brief. Kirkwood
approached the captain; but Stryksr
continued 10 be exhaustively absorbed
in the performance OF his duties
Up past The dOckyards. where sptd-
cry maSts stood in dense groves about
painted tunnels. and men swarmed over
huge wharves like ants over a crust OF
bread up and round the hnaL great
sweeping bend OF the river, the Ale
thea made her sober way. ever with
greater slOWness. until al length. in
the rose glow OF . hawless evening, her
windlass began TO clank like a mad
thing and her anchor bit the river bed
near the left bank. between old Forts
Isabelle and Tete de Flandre. frowned
upon from the right by the grim pile
Of the age old Steen castle.
And again Kirkwood sought Stryker.
his carking query ready on his lips.
But the captain imparienrly waved
him aside.
Don't you bother me now. me lud
juke. Wyte until 1 gets done with the
custom hoHicer"
Kirkwood aceeded. perforcss and
bided his time with what tolsrance he
could muster
A pIuttering customs launch hustled
up TO the Alethea's side. discharged a
fUssy Inspector on the brfgantine's
deck, and painted impatiently until he.
the examination concluded without de-
lay. was again aboard
Stryker, smirking benignly and mas
saying his lips with the back OF his
nodded TO KirlCwOOd an intimation that
he was prepared 10 accord him an au-
dience. and strolled forward to the
waist The American, mastering his
resentment. meekly followed one can
not well AFFORD TO be naughty when One
is asking favOrs-
Advancing TO the rail. the captain
whistled in one Of the river boats. then.
while the waterman waited faced his
passenger.
Now. yer r'yal Ighness. wot can
do for you afore you goes ashore7'
I think you must have forgotten
said Kirkwood quietly. 7 hate to
Of four pounds"
Stryker's face was expressive only
of mystifed vacUity. -Four Qufd2
dunno as I know just wot you means."
You agreed 10 advance mo four
pounds on those things OF mine. -
"Ow-w, Illumination Overspread
the hollow jowled cOuntenance- Stryk-
er smiled cheerfully. earn with your
he chuck1ed- you will ave yer little
joke. won't you now2 I declare never
see loony with such afrecsh'nit, ply
ful wyesr
Kirkwood's eyes narrowed -Stry-
ker, he said steadily, give me the
four pounds and let's have no more
nonsense; or else hand over my things
at once.
.Daffy." Stryker told vacancy. with
conviction "Lor' Iuv me II. I sees 'Ow
he ever ad sense enough 10 escype.
Wy, yer majesty and be bowed.
ironic- I ave given you yer quid-"
Just about as much as I gave you
that pearl pin retorted Kirkwood
hotly- What the devil do you mean
wy, yer ludship. four pounds jus
pyes yer passage; I thought you IN
derstOod-"
My passage. But can come across
by steamer for thirty shillings. first
class"
~Aw. but them steamers. Tricky.
they is, and unsyfe. No, yer
gryce. the w Stryker Packet Line
Lin ted, London TO Antwerp. charges
four pounds per passage and no rsduc-
ton for return fare
y
stared in silence
Any complaints" continued the cap
tain. looking over Kirkwoods head,
must be lyde afOre the board OF d.
rectors in writin' not more'n thirty
dyes arfter-"
You d scoundreIr' interpo-
lated kirlwOod thOughtfulIy
Stryker's mouth closed with a snap:
hH features froze in a cast OF wrath:
cC,f6 eli a6 in
eyes Wy" he beloved. you
bloomin loonatic. dye think you can
sye thatto Bill Stryker on is own wes-
sell"
He hesitated moment. then
launched a heavy fist at Kirkwood's
face Unsurprised. the young man
side stepped, caught the hard. bony
wrist as the captain 1urched by. fol-
lowing his wasted blow and with a
dexterOus twist laid him fat on his
back. with a sounding thump upon the
deck And as the infuriared scamp
rOse-which he did with bound that
placed him on his feet and IN defensive
posture; as though the deck had been
a Observation-Disclosures leaped back.
seized a capstan bar. and faced him
with challenge.
stand clear. Strykerr he warned
the man tensely, himself livid with
rage. IF you move a step closer
swear III knock the head on your
shoulders. Not another inch. you con-
temptible whelp. or III brain you'll
That's better" he continued as
the captain. caving, dropped his fists
and moved uneasily back. Now. give
that bOatman money for taking me
ashore Yes. I'm going-and II we ever
meet again, take the other side or thu
way, Stryker!'
Without response. a grim smile
wreathing his thin, hard lips. Stryksr
thrust one hand into his pocket, and
Withdrawing a coin. tossed Il to the
waiting waterman. Whereupon Kirk
wood backed WariIy TO the rail. aban-
doned the capstan bar and dropped
over the side.
Nodding to the boatman. The Steen
1anding-Quickly." he said IN French
Stryker. recovering, advanced 70 thu
rail- and waved him derisivs bon voy-
age.
BY by. yer hexcenency. I 'opes Il
may soon be my pleasure 10 meet you
again You've been a real privilege 70
know; I've henjoyed yer compny some
thin immense. Don't know as ever
met such rippin'. Ay Number One. all
around tn aPo