The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-05-27

lmpatiently and with quidk move
ment stepped back across the thresh.
old. where she paused. rounded arm
barring the entrance. one hand grasp.
ing the doorknob. as II to shut him
out at any moment.
I'm awaiting your explanation she
said coldly.
He grinned with nervousness. striv-
ing to penetrate the mental processes
Of this handsome Mrs. Hallam. She
seemed TO regard him with suspicion
which he thought inexcusable. Did
she suppose he had spirited Dorothy
Calendar away and then called 10 ap-
prise her Of the fact. or that be was
some sort Of adventurer who had
manufactured a plausible yarn to gain
him access to her home. or-harking
back to her original theory--that he
was an emissary from Scotland Yard :
Probably she distrusted him on the
latter hypothesis. The reflection left
him more at ease.
Il an quite as mystified as you. Mrs.
Hallam." he began. Miss Calendar
was here at this door in four wheel
er not ten minutes ago. and
Then where is she nowy
TEL me where Calendar Is" he re.
torted. inspired. "and I'll try to an
swer your
But her eyes were blank. "You
mean"-
THAT Calendar was in this house
when came: that he left. found his
daughter In the cab and drove OF with
her. It's clear enough"
you are quite Mistaken she said
thoughtfully. George Calendar has
not been here this night"
He wondered that she did not seem
10 resent his imputation. II think
not
LISTEN she cried. raising a warn.
Ing hand. and. relaxing her vigilan,
attitude. moved forward once more &c
peer down toward the embankment
A cab had cut In from that direction
and was bearing down upon them with
brisk rumble of hoofs. As II ap
preached. Kirkwood's heart. that had
lightened. was weighed upon again BY
disappointment. IL was no four wheel
er. but hanson. and the open wings
OF the apron. disclosing white TRAN
Gle Of linen surmounted by a glowing
spot Of fire. betrayed the sex Of the
fare too plainly to allow Of further
hope that II might be the girl return
Ing.
At the door the cab pulled up sharp
~ and man tumbled hastily out upoi
the sidewalk.
"Herer' be cried throatily. tossin.
the csbby bis fare. and turned towars
the pair upon the doorstep. evident,
surmising that something was amiss
for be was Calendar In proper persor
and a sight TO upset In a twinkIIns
Kirkwood's ingeniously buIlded castl'
Of suspicion.
Mrs. Hallamr' be cried, out O
breath. is my daughter heref- An,
then. catching sight Of Kirkwood'
countenance: why. hello. Kirkwoodr
He salufed him with dubious air.
The woman interrupted hastily
please come In. SIR. Calendar. ThI
gentleman has been inquiring for you
with an astonishing tale about you
daughter"
Dorothy" Calendars moonIike Wis
age was momentarily Invested Of an,
trace Of color. "what Of herr
.you had better come In" advises
Mrs. Hailam brusquely.
The fat adventurer hoped hurriedl
across the threshold, Kirkwood follow
Ing. The woman shut the door an
turned with back to t. nod6ing GIG
nificantly ut Kirkwood as her eyes me
Calendars
"well. weIlf" snapped the latter I'm
patiently. turning TO the young man.
But Kirkwood was thinking quici
~. For the present be contented him
self with a deliberate statement q
fact. Miss Calendar has disappear
ed" II gave him an iDstant's tim.
There's something nshyy' be toll
himself. these two are playing a
cross purposes. Calendars no foo
He's evidently a crook 10 boot. As 10
the woman. she's had her eyes opc
for n number Of years The mai
things Dorothy. She didn't vanish Q
her own initiative. And Mrs. HaIlar
knows or suspects more than she
going TO tell ! don't think she want
Dorothy found. Calendar does. q
do l. Ergo. I'm for Calendar"
"Disappearedf" Calendar was bari
! Ing AZ him. Howl wheni wherei
awithin ten minutes" said KIrl
wood. "Here: let's get Il straight.
And he told what had happened. met
D tioning that be had not paid the ca
e driver.
Thanks" said Calendar dryly. II
2 bent his head In thought for an II
slant. then looked up and Fixed Mr.
Hallam with an unprsjudiced ey
y Il sayr he demanded erpIosivel,
There wasn't any one here this
Q snew-ehT
Her Ono eyes wavered and fell b
!. fore bis, and Kirkwood remarked tbs
, her underlip was curiously drawn In.
, II heard n man leave ~ Mrs. Hnllai
Joined me-" he volunteered beIpfull
. and with suspicion Of malice. IAN
. after that--I paid no attention at u
-