The San Francisco call., 1909-04-11

Ere you are" Strylxer spoke for
the first time since entering the room,
taking the valise from beneath the
chair and depositing 1T on the table.
We'll, we shan't take anything that
doesn't belong to US laughed Calen-
dar. fumbling with the catch; mot even
SO small matter as my own child's
travelling bag A small-heavy-glad
stone bag" he grunted. opening the
valise and plunging in one greedy
hand, "will-just-about-d for mine!"
With which he produced the article
mentioned. This for the discard.
Cap'n," he laughed contentedly. push
ing the girls valise aside; and. rumb
ling with stentorian mirth. stood BEAM
Ing benignantly over the assembled
company.
Why" he exclaimed this moment
Is worth all II cost me- My children,
forgive you freely. Mr.. Kirkwood.
I felicitate you most cordially on hav-
ing secured a most expensive wife.
Really-dyou know?-I feel as IL
ought to do little something for you
both" Gurgling with delight he smote
his fat palms together. IT just tell
you what" he resumed, mo one yet
ever called Georgia Calendar a tight
wad. just believe 1 am going to make
you kids a handsome wedding present.
The good Lord knows there's
enough of this for i fellow to be a
little generous and never miss IT."
The thick mottled fingers tore nerv-
ously at the catch; eventually he got
the bag open. Those about the table
bent forward, all quickened 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 it
self upon the little audience breath
less pause ended eventually by a sharp
snap of Calendars teeth. "Mmm"
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 the earth.
To Kirkwood the air seemed tempor-
arily thick with flying objects. Be
meath his astonished eyes a towel fell
upon the table-a crumpled. soiled
towel bearing on its dingy hem the
inscription In indelible ink: Hotel du
Commerce, Anvers." A tooth mug of
substantial earthenware dropped to
the floor with a crash. A Shiny soap
dish of the same manufacture slid
across the table and into Brentwick's
lap. A battered alarm clock with never
a tick left In It's abused carcass rang
vacuously as 1t fell by the open
bag. :. The remainder was-or-
anges: a dozen or more small, round,
golden globes of ripe fruit, perhaps
shade overripe therefore the more
aromatic.
The adventurer ripped out an oath.
'Mulready. by the living Godr he
ragged in fury. Done up. I swearl
Done by that Internal sneak-me. blind
as a bati'
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 damned oranges, is 1t? Think OF
it-me sitting in the hotel In Antwerp
and him Juggling in oranges by the
bagful because he was fond of fruitl
When did he do it7 How do I know7
If knew, would I be here and him the
devil knows where. this minute?
When my back was turned, of course,
the damned snake, That's why he was
so hot about picking a fight on the
boat, hey7 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
hand at hunting you two down, hey?
Well-by-the-Eter I'll camp on
his trail for the rest of his natural born
days, I'll have his eye teeth for this,
I'll
He swayed. gibbering with rage, his
countenance frightfully contorted, his
fat hands shaking as he struggled for
expression
And then, while yet their own as
tonishment held Dorothy, Kirkwood.
Brentwick and Stryker speechless,
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 pace, 1abby jowls pale and
shaking, ponderous jaw dropping on
his breast, mouth wide and eyes
crazed as he shook violently before
him his thick fieshy wrists-securely
handcuffed-
simultaneously the 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 lhim-
"Mr. Kirkwood? he cried Here,
please-one moment Take this mans
gun from him, will your
Kirkwood sprang to his assistance.
and without encountering much trouble
Stryker's limp. fiaccid 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
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