The San Francisco call., 1909-01-17
1903. BY zzE' 6G66J1ZEsRRNL CQWg1W

ing the other and wondering what next
would happen Calendar paced rest
lessly to and fro upon the narrow
landing. now stopping to incline an
ear TO catch some anticipated sound.
now searching with sweeping glanceS
the black reaches OF the Pool
Finally. consulting his watch. AL
most TO-" he announced
We're IN timer"
Cant say. Damni -.
II that Internal boat would only show
up"
He was lifting the whistle to sound
q second summons when q rowboat
rounded projecting angle formed by
the next warehouse down stream. and
with clanking oarlocks swung In
toward the landing On her thwarts
two figures. dipping and rising.
labored with che sweeps. AS they
drew IN the Gzzn forward shipped his
blades, and rising, scrambled to the
bows In order TO grasp an iron moor
ing ring set in the wall. The other
awkwardly took IN his oars and. as the
current swung the stern down stream,
placed hand palm downward upon
the bottom step to hold the boat steady.
Calendar waddled to the brink OF
the stage. grunting with relief.
The other mann he asked brusQue-
ly. Has he gone aboard7 Or Is this
the first trip tontghtT
One OF the watermen nodded assent
to the latter question. adding grufHy:
Seen nawin' Of i'm. sir"
Very good" said Calendar. as II
he doubted whether It were very good
or bad. Wen wait a bit"
"Right-or agreed the watermen
civilly.
Calendar turned back. his small eyes
glImmering with satisfaction Fun
bling in one coat pocket he brought to
light cigar case. Have a smoke?"
he suggested with a show OF friendli-
ness. by heaven. I was beginnin' to
get worried!'
"As to whatT" inquired Kirkwood
pointedly. selecting a cigar.
He got no immediate reply. but felt
Calendars sharp eyes upon him while
he maneuvered with matches for
light
That's So" It came at length '@You
don't know. I kind OF forgot for q
minute; somehow you seemed on the
inside
Kirkwood laughed lightly. I've ex-
perienced something of the same SEN
sation IN the last few houss-'
Don't doubt IT." Calendar was
watching him narrowly. II suppose"
he put 1t to him abruptly. you haven't
changed your mind?'
Changed my mindT'
About coming in with me-"
MY dear sir. can have no mind
laid before me-"
'H'mw Calendar pufred vigorous
ly until IL occurred to him to change
the subject. You won't mind telling
me what happened to you and Dor
othy?"
Calendar drew nearer and Kirkwood.
lowering his voice. narrated briefly the
events since he had left the Pless IN
Dorothy's company.
Her father followed him intently. In
terrupting now and again with excla-
nation or pertinent question; as. Had
Kirkwood been able to see the face OF
the man In No. 8 Frognall street7 The
negative answer seemed to disconcert
: him
"Youngster. you say7 Blam' II I can
lay my mind to him; Now II that Null
ready"
'Tt would have been impossible for
Mulready-whoever he ts-to recover
and get to Craven street before we
did, Kirkwood pointed out.
'Well-go on" But when the tale
was told It's that scoundrel. Null
readyT the man affirmed with heat.
TITS his hand-I know him. I might
have had sense enough to see he'd take
the first chance to hand me the double
cross. Well, this does for him. all
rfghtY Calendar lowered vfciously at
the river. You've been blame useful
hadn't been for you, I don't know
where I'd be now nor Dorothy.
either AN obvious afterthought.
There's no particular way I can show
my appreciation, suppose? Money!"
I've got enough to last me till I
reach New York. thank you"
We'll. If the time ever comes. Just
shout for George B. won't be want
ing -. I only wish you were with
us; but that's out OF the question"
Doubtless :"
NO two ways about ii. I bet any
thing you've got a conscience con-
cealed about your person. What3
You're an honest man. eh?"
IT don't want to sound immodest.'
returned Kirkwood, amused
You don't need to worry about that.
- But an honest mans got no busi-
. ness in my line" He glanced again at
! his watch Damn that Mulreadyl I
wonder If he was cute enough to take
, another way? Or did he think
, The fool"
, He cut or abruptly. seeming de-
pressed by the thought that he might
have been outwftted; and. clasping
hands behind his back. chewed saw
} agely on his cigar. watching the river
KirkwOod found himself somewhat
wearied: the uselessness Of his pres
ence there struck him with added
force. He bethought him OF his
boat train, scheduled to leave a station
, miles distant in an hour and a half.
If he missed 1t he would be stranded
: in a foreign land. penniless and prac-
ttcally without friends-Brentwick be-
ing away and all the rest of his circle
or acquaintances on the other side OF
the channel Yet he fingered, IN poor
company. daring fate that he might
see the end OF the affair Why2
There was only one honest answer to
that question. He stayed on because
OF his interest in girl whom he had
: known for a matter OF three hours at
most. 1t was insensate folly on his
part, ridiculous from any point OF
view But he made no move to 60
The slow minutes heightened monot-
onously-
There came a sound from the street
level. Calendar held up a hand OF
: warning Here they comel Steady
he said tense1y. K1rxwood. listening
fntently, interpreted the noise as
clash Of hoofs upon cobbles-
Calendar turned to the boat
Sheer off," he ordered Drop out OF