The San Francisco call., 1909-01-10

in the wind, hung the smirched and
weather worn signboard Of the Hog in
the Pound public house: wherefrom es-
capped sounds of such revelry by night
as is INDUCED in by the British work
ingman in hours OF ease. At the curb
in front OF the house OF entertainment,
detected animals dropping between
their shafts, two hansoms stood in wait
ing, until such time as the lords OF
their destinies should see ht to sally
forth and ipfict themselves upon a cab
hungry pOpulace. AS Kirkwood turned
third vehicle rumbled up out Of the
news.
Kirkwood can close his eyes. even at
this late day. and both see and hear it
ali again-even as he can see the un-
broken row OF dingy dwellings that
lined his way back from Quadrant
news 10 Frognan street corner; all
drab and unkempt. ali sporting in their
fsnlights the legend and lure, Fur
nished Apartments"
For between his curiosity about and
his concern for the girl he was being
led back TO No. 3. By the nose, as it
were-hardly willingly. at best. Pro-
foundiy stupehed by the contemplation
OF his own temerity, he yet returned
unfalteringly- He who had for so long
~plumed himself upon his strict super
vision of his personal affairs and
equally steadfast Inconsistencies Of
neighbOr's business. now found himself
in the very act Of pushing in where he
was not wanted: as he had been ad-
Viscd ia Wen nigh as many words. He
experienced an effect OF standing to one
side. witness Of his own folly. with
rising wonder, unable TO credit the
strength Of the infatuation which was
placing him SO conspicuously in the
way OF snubbing
II perchsnce he were to meet the girl
again as she was leaving No. s-what
then2 The contingency dismayed him
incredibly. in view of the fact that it
did not avail 10 make him pause To
the contrary he disregarded it resolute-
ly' mad, impertinent. justified Of his
unnamed apprehensions. or simply ad-
he turned up Frognan street with
the manner Of one out for leisurely
evening stroll simultaneously. from
the farther corner. another pedestrian
debouched into the thoroughfare-a
mere moving shadow at that distance.
brother 10 blacker shadows that
skuIked IN the fenced areas and un-
lively entries OF that poorly lighted
block Tie hush was something be-
yond belief. when one remembered the
nearest OF blatant Tottenham court
road
Kirkwood received a wholly senseless
curiosity about the other wayfarer. The
man was walking rapidly. heels ring
ing with uncouth Ioudness. cane tap
ping the tagging Al brief intervals.
Both sounds ceased abruptly as their
cause turned in behind one. Of the por-
ticos- In the emphatic and unnatural
quiet that followed, Kirkwood. stepping
more lightly. faneied that another
shadow followed the FIRST, noiselessly
and with furtive stealth.
Could it be number into which they
had passed. The Americans heart beat
q livelier tempo at the suggestion If
il had not been number .s-he was still
too far away 10 tell-it was certainly
one OF the dwellings adjacent thereto.
The improbable possibility Obut why
improbable2) that the girl was being
Joined by her father. or by friends.
annoyed him with illogical intensity.
He mended his own pace. designing to
pass whichever house il might be be-
fore the door should be closed; thought
better Of this. and slowed up again,
anathematizing himself with much ex-
cuse for being the inquisitive dolt that
he was
Approaching number with tagging
feet. he manufactured a desire to light
a cigarette. as a cover for his design,
eyes. Cane under arm, hands cupped
10 shield a vesta's fame. he stopped
directly before the portico. turning his,
eyes askance TO the shadowed door
way. and made a discovery sufficiently
startling "a hold him spellbound and.
incidentally. TO scorch his gloves be-
fore he thought 10 drop the match.
The door OF number stood aJar. a
black interval an inch or so in width
showing between its edge and the
jsmb.
Suspicion and alarm set his wits
a-tingle. More distinctly he recalled
the Earring bang, accompanied by the
metallic click. OF the latch. when the
girl had shut herself in-and him out.
Now. some person or persons had fol-
lowed her. neglecting the most obvious
precaution Of a house holder. And why?
Why but because the intruders did not
wish the sound OF closing TO be audi
ble 10 her-Or those-within2
He reminded himself that IL was all
none Of his affair. decided TO pass on
and go his way in peace. and i'm
pulsively swinging about, marched
straight away for the unclosed door.
"'Old ard, gunner
Kirkwo0d halted on the cry. falter-
ing indecisiOn. Should he take the
plunge. or withdraw? Simultaneously