The San Francisco call., 1909-03-21


nights! Altogether incredible seemed
the transformation they had wrought
IN the complexion Of the world. Yet
nothing material was changed.
He lifted his eyes.
Beyond the river rose the embank-
ment, crawling with traffic, backed by
the green Of the gardens and the SHIN
mering walls of glass and stone OF
the great hotels, their windows glow
ing weirdly golden In the late sun
light. A little downstream Cleopa-
tra's Needle rose, sadly the worse for
London smoke. fanked by its couchant
sphinxes, wearing nimbus OF cir
cling. sweeping, swooping. wheeling
gulls. Farther down, from the foot
of that magnificent pile, Somerset
House. Waterloo bridge sprang over
stream in its graceful arch. All
as of yesterday; yet all changed.
Why? Because q woman had entered
into his life; because he had learned
the lesson OF love and had looked into
the bright face Of Romance.
With a Jar the train started and
began to move more swiftly.
Kirkwood lifted the travelling bag to
his knees.
Don't forget" he said with some
difficulty, you're to stick by me
whatever happens. You mustn't de-
sert me-
You know" the girl reproved him.
'I know; but there must be no mis-
understanding. Don't worry; we'u
win out yet. I've a plan"
Splendid mendaxl He had not the
glimmering OF a plan.
The engine painting, the train drew
in beneath the vast sounding dome of
the station, to an accompaniment of
dull thunderings; and stopped finally.
Kirkwood got out. not without 2
Qualm of regret at leaving the com.
partment; therein, at least. they had
some title to consideration, by virtue
of their tickets; now they were utterly
vagabondish, penniless adventurers.
The girl Joined him. Slowly. elbow
to elbow. the treasure bag between
them, they made their way down
toward the gates, atoms in a tide-rip
of humanity-two streams OF passen-
gers meeting on the narrow strip OF
platform, the one making for the
streets, the other for the suburbs.
Hurried and jostled, the girl cling
ing tightly to his arm lest they be
separated in the crush. they came to
the ticket wicket; beyond the barrier
surged a sea of hats-shining top
pers," dignifled and outstanding, the
outward and visible manifestation of
the sturdy, stodgy British spirit of
respectability; "bowlers" round and
sleek and humble; shapeless caps with
cloth visors, manufactured of outrag-
eous plaids; fiowerlike miracles of
millinery from Bond street; strangely
plumed monstrosities from Petticoat
lane and Mile End road. Beneath any
one Of these might lurk the ma1eicent
brain, the spying eyes OF Calendar or
one Of his creatures; beneath all of
them that he encountered Kirkwood
peered In fearful inquiry
Yet, when they had passed unhin-,
dered the ordeal OF the wickets, had
run the gauntlet OF those thousand
eyes without lighting in any pair
spark Of recognition. he began to bear
himself with more assurance, to be
sensible to grateful glow OF hope.
Perhaps Hobbs telegram had not
reached Its destination, for unques-
tionably the mate would have wired
his chief; perhaps some accident had
befallen the conspirators; perhaps the
police had apprehended them y :.
No matter how, ono hoped against
hope that they had been thrown of
the trail.
And indeed 1t seemed that they must
have been misguided In some provi-
Dental manner. On the other hand,
1t would be the crassest of indiscre-
tions to linger about the place an
instant longer than absolutely neces-
sary.
Outside the building. however, they
paused perforce, undergoing the cross
fire of the congregated cabbies. It
being the first time that he had ever
felt called upon to leave the station
afoot. Kirkwood cast about irres-
olutely, seeking the sidewalk leading
to the Strand.
Abruptly he caught the girl by the
arm and unceremoniously hurried her
toward waiting hanson.
"Quickp he begged her. Jump
right in-not an instant TO spare"
She nodded brightly. lips firm with
courage, eyes shining.
MY father"
YES" Kirkwood glanced back over
his shoulder. HE hasn't seen US yet.
They've just driven up. Strykers with
him. They're getting down" And to
himself "Oh, the devill" cried this
panic stricken young man.
He drew back to let the girl pre-
cede him into the cab; at the Same
time he kept an eye on Calendar,
whose conveyance stood half the
length of the station front away.
The fat adventurer had finished
paying of the driver. standing on the
deck of the hanson. Stryker was
already out. towering above the mass
Of people. and glaring about him with
his hawk-keen vision. Calendar had