The San Francisco call., 1909-03-07
Chapter xIV-continued

displaying his empty palms in token Of
his absolute tractabiIity.
Good enough. Now right about
than your face. and besides, I want to
know whether your hip pockets are
empty. I've heard it's the habit of
you gentry to pack guns IN your
clothes None? That's all
right, then. Now roost on the transom
over there in the corner, Stryker, and
don't move. Don't let me hear a word
from you Understand"
Submissively the captain retired to
the indicated spot. Kirkwood turned
20 Calendar. of whose attitude, how
ever. he had not been for an instant
unmindful
Wont you sit down. Mr.. Calendar"
he suggested pleasantly. Forgive me
for keeping you waiting"
For his own part, as the adventurer
dropped passively into his chair, Kirk
wood stepped over Mulready and ad-
vanced 10 the middle of the cabin, at
the same time thrusting Calendars re-
voIver into his own coat pocket. The
other, Mulready's, he nursed signifi-
cantly with both hands, while he stood
temporarily quiet, surveying the fieshy
face Of the prime factor in the In
trigue.
A quaint. grim smile played about
the Americans lips, a smile a little
contemptuous, more than a little in
scrutable. In its light Calendar grew
restive and lost something of his assur-
ance. His feet shifted uneasily be-
meath the table and his dark eyes
wavered, evading Kirkwood's. At
length he seemed TO find the suspense
unendurable.
"Weu2" he demanded testify. What
d'you want Of me?"
Il was just wondering at you, Calen-
dar In the last few days you've given
me enough cause TO wonder, as you'll
admit"
The adventurer pIucked UP spirit.
deluded by Kirkwood's pacific tone.
.I wonder at you, Mr.. Kirkwood." he
retorted 1T was good OF you 20 save
my life and"
I'm not so sure Of that! Perhaps it
had been more humane"
Calendar owned the touch with a
wrv Erimace. But I'm Id II I
understand this highhanded attitude of
yoursi" he concluded heatedly.
'Don't you?' Kirkwood's humor be-
came less apparent, the smile sober
ing. You will he told the man. add
ing abruptly: Calendar, where's your
daughter"
The restless eyes sought the COM
Dorothy" the man lied spontane-
ously, without a tremor, is with
friends in England. Why? Did you
want 20 see her2"
I rather expected to-"
Well. I thought it best to leave her
home, after all"
I'm glad TO hear she's in safe hands,
commented Kirkwood-
The adventurers glance analyzed his
face. All" he said slowly. I see. You
followed me on Dorothy's account, Mr.
Kirkwood?"
Partly partly on my own. Let me
put it to you fairly. When you forced
yourself upon me, back there in London,
you offered me some sort Of employ
fnent; when 7 rejected it you used me
to your advantage for the furthersnce
of your purposes (Which, ] confess,
don't understand. and made me miss
my steamer. Naturally, when ] found
myself penniIess and friendless in 9
strange country I thought again OF
your offer, and tried to find you to ac-
cept it."
Despite the fact that you're an hon
est man. Kirkwoodg The fat lips
twitched with premature enjoyment.
Tn a desperate man tonight what
ever ] may have been yesterday" The
young mans tone was both earnest and
convincing. I think I've shown thai
by nay pertinacity in hunting you down.
'-Well-yes" Calendars thick finger:
caressed his lips, trying to hide tht
dawnng smile
rs that offer still open?"
His noachalance completely restored
by the very naivete OF the proposition
Calendar laughed openly and with
trace OF irony. The episode seemed L
be turning out better than he had an
ticipaied. Gently his mottled fat fin.
gers played about his mouth and chiI
as he looked Kirkwood up and down
I'm sorry" he replied, that il isn't
now. You're too late, Kirkwood; Tv,
made ether arrangements"
Too bad" Kirkwood's eyes mar
rowed. You force me TO harsher meas
ures, Calendar"
Genuinely diverted, the adventures
laughed a second time, tipping back Il
his chair. his huge frame shaking witt
ponderOus enjoyment. Don't do any
thing you'd be sorry for" he parroted
sarcastically. the young mans recen
edmonton TO the captain.
No fear. Calendar. I'm Just going t,
use my advantage, which you won't dis
pute'-the pistol described an eloouen
circle cleaning in the lampligbt-"t,
levy on you little legitimate black
mail Don't be alarmed; I shan't hf
you any harder than I have to"
What2' staunmered Calendar. aston
ished. What in hell are you drivins
at?"
heConpeLSe lor my tine and trou
bic. You've cost me q pretty penny
b. first and last. with your nasty litti
nspiracy-whateve it's all about
Now, reeding the money. purpose get
ting some OF il back I shan't nre
cisely rob you, but this is holdup. al
right. Stryker." reproacb frllv
i don't see my pearl pin"
I got it ere" responded the sailo
hastily. fumbling with his tie.
Give IL to me. then" Kirkwood he'll
out his hand and received the trinkel
Then, moving over to the table. tn
young man. while abating nothing q
his watchfulness. sorted out his be
longings from the mass OF odds an
ends Stryker has disgorged. The tai
OF them was complete: the captain ha
obeyed him faithfully. Kirlcwood locke
up. pleased.
Now see here. Calendar; this collec
tion Of truck that I was robbed OF. b
this resurrected Joe Miller here cos
me upward Of a hundred and f1ft,
I'm going to sell 1t to you at a bar
gain-say fifty dollars, two hundred an
fifty francs.
The deuce you are" Calendars eye
opened wide. partly in admiration