The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-01-31

be glad TO feel that 1 ought to tell you
what l know"
What you know
The exclamation low spoken, more
an echo of her thoughts than intended
for Kirkwood was accompanied by a
little shake of the woman's head, mute
evidence to the fact that she was be-
wildered by his finesse. And this de-
lighted the young man beyond measure,
making him feel himself master of
difficult situation. Mysteries had been
woven before his eyes so persistently,
of late. that it was real pleasure
to be able to do a little mystifying on
his own account. BY adopting this
reticent and non-committal attitude, he
was forcing the hand of a woman old
enough to be his mother and most
evidently a past mistress in the art of
misleading. All of which seemed very
fascinating to the amateur in adven-
ture
The woman would have led again,
but young Hallam cut in, none too
courteously.
81 say, nanny. it's no good stand
ing here, palaverin' like a lot of flats.
Besides, I'm awfly knocked up. Let's
get home and have 1t out there"
Instantly his mother softened. MY
poor boy! -. OF course we'll CO."
Without further demur she swept
past ana GOWN the stairway DeIOr6
them-slowly, for their progress was
Of necessity slow, and the light most
needed. Once they were In the main
hall, however, she extinguished the
candle, placed it on a side table, and
passed out through the door.
It had been left open, as before; and
Kirkwood was not at all surprised to
see man waiting on the threshold
the versatile Eccles. If he erred not.
oI,1 - y fv,a
as it happened, for at a word from
Mrs. HalIam the man bowed and, fol-
lowing her across the sidewalk,
opened the door of a four wheeler
which, with lamps alight and liveried
driver on the box, had been waiting at
the carriage block.
AS they passed out Kirkwood shut
the door; and at the same moment the
little party was brought up standing
by a gruff and authoritative summons.
"Just a minute, you therep
''Ahar' said Kirkwood to himself.
81 thought so.' And he halted, in I'M
feigned respect for the burly and i'm
pressive figure. CARRIED in blue and
brass, helmeted and truncheoned, bulls
eye shining on breast like the laws
unblinking and sleepless eye, barring
the way to the carriage.
Mrs. Hallam showed less Difference
for the obstructionist- The assumed
hauteur and impatience of her pose
was artfully reflected in her voice as
she rounded upon the bobby, with an
indignant demand, What is the mean
ing of this. off1cer?"
Precisely what I wants to know,
ma'am," returned the man. unyieiding
beneath his respectful attitude. I'm
Obliged to ask you to tell me what you
were doing in that 'ouse. And
what's the matter with this ere gem
tleman?" he added, with a dubious stare
at young Hallam's bandaged head and
rumpled clothing.
perhaps you don't understand" adj
mitted Mrs Hallam sweetly. "Of course
II see-it's perfectly natural The
house has been shut up for some time
and"
THANK you, ma'am; that's just it.
There was something wrong going on
early in the evening, and I was told
to keep an eye on the premises. It's
duty, ma'am; I've got my report to
make"
THE house." said Mrs. Hallam, with
the long suffering patience of one eluci-
dating a perfectly plain proposition to
a being of a lower order of intelligence,
SIS the property of my son. Arthur
Frederick Burgoyne Hallam of Corn
wall This Is"
BEG pardon. a'am, but I was told
Colonel George Burgoyne of Corn
wall"
colonel Burgoyne died some time
ago.. MY son Is his heir. This Is my
son. He came to the house this evening
to get some property he desired. and
it seems-tripped ON the stairs and fell
unconscious / became worried about
him and drove over, accompanied by my
friend, Mr.. Kirkwood.'
The policeman looked his troubled
a. y -, = mo Ger q II
head over the case. There was his
duty, and there was. opposed to 1t, the
fact that all three were CARRIED In the
livery Of the well to do.
At length, turning to the driver, he
demanded, received and noted in his
memorandum book the license number
of the eouipage.