The San Francisco call., 1909-04-04

Of such inflexible temper was his host
that he bowed him into the hands OF a
manservant without permitting him
another word.
Not a syllable" he insisted. Il
protest I am devoured with curiosity,
my dear boy, but / have also bowels
of compassion. When We are well on
with our meal, when you are strength
ened with food and drink. then you
may begin. But now-Dickle," to the
valet. do your dutyF'
Kirkwood, laughing with exaspera-
ton, retired at discretion leaving
Brentwick the master OF the situation:
a charming gentleman with will OF
his own and a way that went with II.
He. heard the young mans footsteps
diminish on the stairway; and again
he smiled the indulgent, melancholy
smile of mellow years. Youth he
whispered softly. "Romancel
And now" with a brisk change OF tone
as he closed the study door, new we
are ready for this interesting Mr..
Calendar"
Sitting down at his desk, he found
and consulted telephone directory;
but its leaves. at first rustling briskly
at the touch OF the slender and delicate
fingers were presently permitted to lie
unturned-the book resting open on his
knees the while he stared wistfully
into the fire.
suspicion OF moisture glimmered
in his eyes. Dorothy" he whispered
huskily. And little later. rising. he
proceeded to the telephone.
An hour and a half later Kirkwood.
his. self-respect something restored by
bath. shave, and q resumption OF
clothes which had been hastily but
thoroughly cleansed and pressed by
Brentwicks 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. con-
oluded at the dinner table. his narration.
And that" he said. looking UP from
his savory, "is about all"
"Bravo" applauded Brentwick, eyes
shining with delight.
AL, tnterposed Dorothy in warm
reproach, but what he hasn't told"
Which. my dear. Is to be accounted
for wholly by a 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. wottonT'
Brentwick sat back in his chair, in
clining an attentive ear to a communi-
cation murmured by the butler.
Kirkwood's gaze met Dorothy's across
the expanse OF shining cloth; he depre-
Gated her interruption with a whim-
sical twist Of his eyebrows. Really.
you shouldn't" he assured her In an
undertone. Tive done nothing to de-
serve :" But under the spell OF
and presently looked down, strangely
ahashed; and contemplated the vast
enormity Of his unworthiness.
Conee was set before them by Wot-
ton. the impassive. Brentwick refusing
1t with little sigh 1T Is one Of the
things, as Philip knows" he explained
to the girl. denied me by the physician
VINO makes his life happy by making
mine waste. I am allowed but three
luxuries; cigars. travel In moderation,
ana the privilege OF imposing on my
friends. The first propose presently
10 enjoy by your indulgence; and the
second 1 shall this evening undertake
by virtue Of the third, Of which I have
just availed myself"
Smiling at tho inyoiution, he rested
his head against the back of'the chair,
eyes rowing from the girls face to
Kirkwood's. Inspiration to do
which" he proceeded gravely, came
to me from the seafaring plcaroon
(Stryker did you name him2) via tho
excellent Wotton. While you were
preparing for dinner. wotton returned
from his constitutional with the news
that. leaving the corpulent on watch
at the corner. Captain Stryker had
temporarily made himself scarce.
However. we need feel no anxiety con-
cerning his whereabouts. for he re-
appeared In good time and a motor car.
From which It becomes evident that
you have not overrated their pertinac-
ity; the 1asco OF the cab chase Is not
to be re-enacted."
OF dismay. Kirkwood stared moodily
into his cup.
These men bore me fearfuily." he
commented at last.
And So" continued Brentwick. sT
bethought me of counter stroke It
Is my good fortune to have a friend
whose whim 1t Is TO support a touring
car. chiefly In innocuous idleness Ac-
cordingly ! have telephoned him and
Communicated the use OF his machine
mechanism. too. Though
not betting man, I am willing to risk
recklessly a few pence in support of
my contention. that OF the two, Cap
tain Stryker's car and ours, the latter
VIII prove the most speedy.
In short. I suggest" he concluded.
thoughtfully lacing his long white
fingers. that. avoiding the hazards of
cab and railway carriage, we motor to
road, I am told. exceptionally good.
Miss Dorothy. what do you think7"
lnstinctively the girl looked TO Kirk
wood; then shifted her glance to their
host. Il think you are wonderfully
thoughtful and kind" she said simply.
And you. Philip"
TITS an inspiration" the younger man
declared. II can't think of anything
better calculated to throw them OF,
than to distance them by motor car.
1t would be always possible to trace
our Journey by rail-"
Then" announced Brentwfck, max
ing as IL to rise. I'VE had best 60 II
neither my hearing nor Captain stry-
ker's car deceives me, our fiery chariot
Is painting at the door"
A little sobered from the confident
spirit OF quiet gayety In which they
had dined. they left the table. Not
that, In their hearts. either greatly
questioned their ultimate triumph; but
they were allowing for the element OF
error so apt to set at naught human
calculations. Calendar himself had
already been proved fallible. Within
the bounds OF possibility. their turn to
stumble might now be imminent.
When he let himself dwell upon Il,
their utter helplessness to give CaIen-
dar pause by commonplace methods
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