Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-13

ry in the way Of offensive artillery.
And, Stryker, don't be rash; don't do
anything you'd be sorry for after
wards
mo fear Of that" mumbled the cap
tain meekly shambling toward the
table, and in his anxiety to give no
cause or unpleasantness, beginning
to empty his pockets on the way.
Don't forget the SIR Stryker. And,
Stryker, if you happen to think of
anything in the line of one of your
merry quips or jests, don't strain
yourself holding in; get it right off
your chest and you'll feel better
kirkwood chuckled, in high conceit
with himself, watching Calendar out
of the corner of his eye, but with his
attention centered on the infinitely
diverting spectacle afforded by Stry.
ker, 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. Striker, Surely you
can think of something witty, surely
you haven't exhausted the possibili-
ties Of that almanac joke! Couldn't
you ring another variation on that
lunatic wheeze? Don't hesitate out of
consideration for me, Captain; I'm
joke proof-perhaps you've noticed?"
Stryker turned upon him an ex-
preston at once ludicrous, piteous
and hateful. That's all, SIR he
snarled, displaying his empty palms
in token of his absolute tractability
Good enough. Now right about
face-quick. Your backs prettier than
your face and besides, want to know
whether your hip pockets are empty.
! to pack guns in your clothes
roost on the transoH 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
to Calendar; Of whose attitude, how
ever, he had not been for an instant
unmindful
won't you sit down, Mr.. Calen-
dar?" he suggested pleasantly. For
give me for keeping you waiting"
For his own part, as the adventurer
| dropped passively into his chair
/ Kirkwood stepped over Mulready and
advanced to the middle of the cabin
at the same time thrusting Calendar
revolver into his own pocket. The 9th
er. Mulready's, he nursed significantly
with both hands, while he stood tenn
porarily quiet, surveying the fleshy
1 face of the prime factor in the in
! trigue
A quaint, grim smile played about
the Americans lips, smile a little
contemptuous, more than a little in
scrutable. In its light Calendar grew
FESTIVE and lost something of his as
surance. His feet shifted uneasily be
meath the table and his dark eyes wa
vered, evading Kirkwood's. At length
durable.
"WeH?" he demanded testify
what dyou want Of me?"
81 was just wondering at you, Cal
endar In the last few days you've
given me enough cause to wonder, a.
you'll admit
! The adventurer plucked up spirit
deluded by Kirkwood's pacific tone
II wonder at you, Mr. Kirkwood, h
tetorted ct was good of you to saw
my life, and"
I'm not so sure of that! Perhap
it had been more humane"
Calendar owned the touch with
wry grimace. "But I'm damned If
understand this high.handed attitud
of yours" he concluded heatedly.
Don't you?" Kirkwood's humor bs
/ came less apparent, the smile sober
ing. you WILL" he told the man, &C