The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28


pick himself up quickly, unin-
jured, Mulready's revolver in his
grasp.
On his feet straddling Mulready's IN
sentient body, he confronted Calehdar
and Stryker. The face Of the latter was
a sickIy green. the gift OF his fright
The former seemed cOldly composed, al
ready recovering from his surprise and
bringing his wits to bear upon the new
factor which had been so unceremo-
niously injected into the situation
Standing. but leaning heavily upon a
hand that rested fat on the table. IN
the other he likewise held revolver
which he had apparently drawn In self
defense at the crisis Oe Mulreadys
frenzy Its muzzle was detected. He
looked Kirkwood over with cool gray
eye, the color gradually returning 10
his fat, clean shaven cheeks, replacing
the pardonable pallOr which had mo-
mentarily rested thereon.
As for Kirkwood. he had covered the
fat adventurer before he knew IT,
Stryker. who had been standing imme-
diately in the rear Of Calendar. imme-
diately covered and cringed TO md nim-
self in the line Of fire.
OF the three conscious men IN the
brigantines cabin Calendar was prob
ably the least confused or excited.
Stryker was palpably unnamed. Kirk
wood was tingling with sense OF mas
terry, but collected and rapidly revOlv-
ing the combinations for the reversed
conditions which had been brought
about by MuIready's drunken folly. His
elatiOn was apparent in his shining.
boyish eyes as well as in the bright
color that glowed in his cheeks When
he decided to speak IL was with rapid
enunciatiOn. but clearly and concisely.
Calendar" he began. IF a. single shot
is fired about this vessel the river pO-
lice will be buzzing round your ears in
a brace of shakes
The fat adventurer nodded assent his
eyes contracting.
Very WELL" continued Kirkwood
brusquely. You must know that I have
nothing to personally fear from the pO-
lice; if arrested wouldn't be detained
a day. On the other hand. you
Hand me that pistol. Calendar. butt
first, please. Look sharp, my man. II
you don't
He left the ellipsis to be filed in by
the corpulent blackguard's intelligence.
The latter. gray eyes still intent on the
younger mans face. wavered, plainly
impressed, but still wondering.
quick, I'm not patient tonight
No longer was Calendar OF two
minds. In the face OF KirkwOod's at
titude there was but one course to be
followed. that of obedience Calendar
surrendered an untenable position as
gracefully as could be wished.
Il guess you know what you mean
by this" he said. rendering the wea-
pom as per instructions. I'm dog
gOned If you do. You'll allow a
certain latitude in consideration OF
my relief; 1 can't say we were antici-
pating this-ah-heaven sent vista
tion."
Accepting the revolver with the left
hand and settling his fOrehnSer on
the trigger. Kirkwood beamed with
&r.-
ence of the older man, tempered
though it was by his indOmitabls
swagger, refreshing in the extreme.
a little appreciation isn't exactly
out of place. come to think of it," he
commented. adding. with an eye for
the captain. "Stryker. you bold. bad
butterfly, have you got gun con-
cealed about your unclean person.
The captain shook visibly with con-
triton. No, Mr.. KirkwOOd," he man
aged TO reply, in a voice singuiarly
lacking in his wonted buster.
Say SIR suggested Kirkwood.
mo. Mr.. Kirkwood. sir" amended
Stryker eagerly.
Now come around here and let's
have look at you. Please stay where
you are. Calendar. Why, cap
tain. you're shivering from head to
foot, Not i'll. are you. you wag? Step
over to the table there, Stryker. and
side out and let's see what you carry
in the way of offensive artillery. And
Stryker. don't be rash: don't do any
thing you'd be sorry for afterward-"
mo fear of that mumbled the cap
tain, meekly shambling toward tho
table, and, in his anxiety to give no
cause for unpleasantness. beginning 70
empty his pockets on the way.
Don't forget the sir Stry<er. And.
Stryker. il you happen to think OF any
thing in the lire of one Of your merry
quips or jests, don't strain yourself
holding in; get it right or your ches-,
and you'll feel better"
Kirkwood chuckIed. in high cOnceit
with himself. watching Calendar out
of the corner of his eye. but with his
attention eentered on the infinitely di-
verting spectacle afforded by Stryker.
whose predacious hands were trembling
violently as. one by one, they brought
to light the articles OF which he had
: despoiled his erstwhile victim
Come. come, Strykeri Surely you
can think OF something witty-sUrely
you haven't exhausted the possibilities
of that almanac joke, Couldn't you
ring another variation on the lunatic
wheeze? Don't hesitate out OF con-
sideration for me. captain: I'm joke
proof-perhaps you've noticed%'