Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-12-07

the latest train rather than proceed by
the first available In the morning.
Why but because Calendar and Mel
ready were to wait for stryker to joiu
them on the Alethea?
Very well, then. II the wind hello
and Stryker knew his business. there
would be another passenger on that
train in addition to the Calendar party
Making mental note Of the fact that
the boat train for Flushing and Lon.
don was scheduled to leave Antwerp
daily at S:21 p. m. Kirkwood restored
the guide to the locker lest inadver-
tently the captain should pick 1t ur
and see what Kirkwood had seen.
An hour later he went on deck. The
skies had blown clear, and the brigan
tine was we'll in land bound waters
and still footing rattling pace. Ant
werp was In sight.
A troublesome care stirring in his
mind, Kirkwood looked round the
deck, but Stryker was very busy. Ell.
tirely too preoccupied with the han
ding Of his ship to be interrupted with
impunity. Besides. there was plenty
Of time.
Up past the dockyards, where sp-
derry masts stood In dense groves about
painted tunnels and men swarmcd
over huge wharfs like ants over a
crust of bread; up and round the final
great sweeping bend Of the river, the
Alethea made her sober way, ever with
greater slowness. until at length IN
the rose glow Of iawless 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.
Kirkwood sought StIyker, his cark-
ing query ready on his lips, but the
captain impatiently waved him aside.
Don't you bother me now, me lud
Juke. Wyte until l gets done with
the custom hofficer."
Stryker, smirking benignly and mas
saging his lips with the back Of his
hand. followed the official on deck,
nodded to Kirkwood an intimation that
he was prepared to accord him an au-
dience and strolled forward to the
waist. The American. mastering his
resentment. meekly followed. One
cannot 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 ashoreY'
Il think you must have forgotten"
said Kirkwood quietly. II hate to
trouble you. but-there's that matter Of
a."
Stryker's face was expressive only
Of mystiAed vacuitr. -Four quid? i
dunno as know Just wot you means"
"You agreed TO advance me e. on
those things OF mine"
''Owv' Illumination overspread the
hollow jowled countenance. Stryker
smiled chcerfully. "Garn with you"
he chuckled. "You will ave yer little
Joke. won't you. now? ! declare
never see a loony with such affec'
sh'nit. pl'yful wyesv'
Kirkwood's eyes narrowed. "Stry.
ker." he said steadily, give me the e.
and let's have no more nonsense Of
else hand over my things at once"
"Dnffy." Stryker told vacancy. with
conviction. "Lor' luv me II | sees 'ow
he ever 'ad sense enough to escype
Wy. yer majesty" and he bowed
ironic. 81 ave given you yer quid."
Just about as much as | gave you
that pearl pln," retorted Klrkwood
hotly. "What do you mean
IVY, yer ludshlp, CA JUS pyes YET
passage thought you understood"
my passage! But can come across
by steamer for 80 shlllings. first
class
Jaw, but them steamers Tricky
they Is. an unsyfe. No, yer gryce.
the ". Stryker Packet line. limited,
London to Antwerp, charges a per
passage an no reduction for return
fare"
Stunned by his effrontery. kirkwood
stared In silence.
"Any complynts," continued the cap
tain. looking over Kirkwood's head
must be lyde afore the board Of III
rectors In writln' not more'n thirtg
dyes arfter"-
You ID scoundrelw interpolateG
Kirk Uood thoughtfully.
Strykers mouth closed with II snap.
II; features froze In cast Of wrath:
old rage glinted In his small blue
eyes. "W'y," he beloved. you bloom
In loonatic. dye think you can sye
that to Bill Stryker on Is own vessel"
He hesitated a moment, then launch
ed heavy fist ut kirkwood's face
Unsurpriscd, the young man side
stepped, caught the hard, bony wrist
as the captain lurched by, following his
WdSleU D.ON. Win tVA'''N'''
twist laid him tiat OH his back with Il
sounding thump upon the deck. AL!
~ the infuriatcd scamp rose. which Il
lid with Il bound that placed him q.
his feet and In defensive posture Il:
though the deek had been spriLS
board Kirkwood leaped ba k. seized :;
:apstan bar ana faced him with a
challenge.
Stand clear. Stryker!" he warn.9'
The man torseIy, himself livid with
rage. "If you move a step closer !
swear Ill knock the head off youI
shoulders! Not another inch, you con
temptible whelp. or I'll brain You
That's better" he continued as the
kAhHA-.E:]