Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-10-22


now" with Il brisk change of tone as
he closed the study door-'now we are
ready for this interesting Mr.. Calen
dar"
A suspicion of moisture gimmered
In his eyes. Dorothy" he whispered
huskily, and little later. rising. he
proceeded to the telephone.
An hour and half later Kirhwood,
his self respect something restored by
bath. shave and resumption of
clothes which had been hastily but
thoroughly cleansed and pressed by
valet. his confidence and
courage mounting high under the COM
bined influence of generous wine. sub
stantial food. the presence of his
hearts mistress and the admiration
which was unconcealed-of his friend,
concluded at the dinner table his mar
ration
'And that" he said. locking up from
his savory, lis about ALL
: Bravo" applauded Brentwick. eyes
shining with delight
Gail" interposed Dorothy in warm
reproach, but what he hasn't told'-
Which. my dear, is to be accounted
for wholly by very creditable mod
esty rarely encountered in the young
men of the present day. 1t was, of
course. altogether different with those
of my younger years. Yes. Wotton?"
Brentwick sat back in his chair, in
Ginning an attentive ear to commune
cation murmured by the butler
Coffee was set before them by Wot-
ton, the impassive. Brentwick refusing
it, with little sigh. BY the way"
he said. while you were preparing
for dinner Wotton returned from his
constitutional with the news that. leav-
ing the corpulent person on watch at
the corner. Captain Stryker had tenn
porarily made himself scarce. How
ever, we need feel no anxiety concern
ing his whereabouts. for he reappear-
ed in good time and a motor car. from
which it becomes evident that you
have not overrated their pertinacity.
The faSco of the cab chase is not to
be re-enacted."
Resolutely the girl repressed a gasp
of dismay. Kirkwood stared modify
into his cup.
These men bore me fearfully," he
commented at last.
And So" continued Brentwick. Il
bethought me of counterstroke. 1t
is my good fortune to have friend
whose within it is to support touring
car chiefly in innocuous idleness. Ac-
cordingly l have telephoned him and
Communicated the use of this ma
chine mechanician too. Though not a
betting man, am willing to risk reck.
lessly few pence in support of my
contention that of the two. Captain
STRIKERS car and ours. the latter will
prove considerably the more speedy.
lin short, suggest" he concluded
thoughtfully lacing his long white fin
gers, that. avoiding the hazards OF
cab and railway carriage, we motor tt
Chiltern, the night being fine and the
road. am told, exceptionally good
Miss Dorothy. what do you Think
Instinctively the girl looked to Kirk
wood then shifted her glance to theil
host II think you are wonderfully
thoughtful and kind" she said simply
And you. Philip"
Its an inspiration" the younger
man declared. II can't think of any
thing better calculated to throw then
off than to distance them by motor
car. 1t would be always possible t.
,, r,,r ;n,,rno1- bv
Then" announced Brentwick. max
ing as if to rise, I'VE had best go. L
neither my hearing nor Captain Stry
ker's car deceives me, our fiery chario
is painting at the door,"
| A little sobered from the contiden
spirit of quiet gayety in which the.
had dined, they left the table. No
that in their hearts either great.
questioned their ultimate triumph. bu
they were allowing for the element o
error so apt to set at naught human
calculations. Calendar himself had al
ready been proved fallible. Within tn
bounds of possibility their turn Il
stumble might now be imminent.
When he let himself dwell upon
their utter helplessness to give Calen
dar pause by commonplace method
maddened kirkwood. With anothe
scoundrel it had been so simple mat
ter to put period to his activities b.
a word to the police. But he was he
father. For that reason he must con
tinually be spared. Even though, Il
desperate extremity, she should Civ
consent to the arrest of the adventul
ers, retaliation would follow swift an
sure. for they might not overlook o
gloze the fact that hers had been tn
hands responsible for the theft of tn
jewels. Innocent though she had bee
in committing that larceny, cats
paw guided by an intelligence III
scrupulous and malign. the law woul
not hold her guiltless We're she ono
brought within its cognizance nor pc:
sibly would the Italians, mother an
son.
Before the door a motor car waited
engines humming impatiently, mecha
nician ready in his seat. an uncout
shape in goggles and leather garment
that shone like oilskins under tn
street lights.
At one corner another and a smalle
car stood in waiting. its lamps Xix
baleful eyes glaring through the nigh
In the shadows across the way
lengthy shadow lurked-Stryker. b'
You'd reasonable question. Otherwis
the street was deserted. Not even tina
adventurous bobby Of the early evel
ing was now in evidence.
Dorothy presently joining then
Brentwick led the way to the door.
J<irl; wood to rho right RrentwicS