Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-09-09

"D'you realize that this is next door
to highway robbery. my young friendT"
High seas piracy, if you prefer" as
sented Kirkwood with entire equanim-
ity. I'm going to have the money.
and you're going to give it up. The
transaction by any name would smell
no swceter. Calendar. Come fork
Overt"
And if | rcfuse?"
~ wouldn't refuse if ! We're YOU"
"Why not
''The onsequenccs would be too
painful"
"You mean you'd puncture mt with
that gum
Not unless YOU attack or attempt to
follow me. | mean to say that the
Belgian police are VIGOROUSLY a most
efficient body and that I'll make it my
duty and pleasure to introduce 'em to
YOU if you refuse. Blu you won't"
Kirllwood added soothingly, will you,
C%alendar?"
mo" The adventurer had become
suddenly thoughtful. mo. l won't.
Glad to oblige YOU"
He tilted his chair still farther back,
strengthening out his elcphantine legs.
inserted one fat hand into his trousers
pocket and With some difficulty ex-
tractcd Il combined bill fold and coin
purse, at once heavy with gold and
bulky With notes. Moistening thumb
and forcfinger, How'll you have it%
he inquired. With Il lift of his cunning
eyes, and. when kirlwood had advised
him, slowly counted out four tifty-franc
notes. placed them near the edge OF
the table and weighted them with five
tcn-franc pieces. And THAT all:" he
asked, replacing the pocketbook.
THAT will be about all. l leave you
', presently to your unholy devices, you
and hat gay dog over there" The
captain squirmcd. reddening. Just by
way of ~precaution, however, I'll ask
, You to wait in hcre till I'm off, Kirk
wood stepped backward to the door
/. Of the captains ROOM, opened it and
removed the key from the inside.
"rlcase take Mulrcady in with you,"
he continued. by the time you get
out I'll be clear of Antwerp. Please
= don't think of refusing me. l really
mean it," 1
The latter clause came sharply as
Calendar seemed to hesitate, his
: weary, wary eyes glimmering with
h doubt, Nirkwood, watching him as
II Il eat her prey, intercepted Il lightning
swift sidelong glance that shifted from
his face to the port lockers, forward
r But the fat adyenturer WAS evidently
TO a considerable degree deluded by
q the very childlike simplicity of Kirk
woods attitude. If the possibility that
IS his alteration with Mulready had
been overheard crossed his mind, Cal
> endar had little choice other than to
accept the change. Either way he
# moved the risk bas great. If he re-
fused to be locked in the captains
room, there was the danger of the
police, to which Kirkwood had con-
it vincingly drawn attention. If he ac-
lie cepted the temporary Imprisonment,
III he took q risk with the gladstone bag.
lie On the other hand, he had estimated
Kirkwood's honesty as thoroughgotng
l. from their first interview. he had ap-
praised him as q gentleman and a
n man Of honor. And he did not be-
lieve the young man knew, after all.
PerpleSed, at length he chose the
"a smoother way and, with an indulgeut
lifting of eyebrows and fat shoulders,
rose and waddled over to Mulready.
o "Oh, all right" he conceded, with
# deep liberation in his tone for the
n idiosyncrasies of youth; its all the
:, same to me, beau He laughed a
nervous laugh. Come along and lend
US a hand. S rykcr."
The latter glanced timidly at Kirk
wood, his eyes pleading for leave to
move, which kirkwood accorded with
4 an imperative nod and a fine flourish
of the revolver. Promptly the captain
Bprang to Calendars assistance. and,
. between the two of them, the one tax
Ing Mulready's head, the other his
feet. they lugged him quickly into the
9 stuffy little stateroom. Kirkwood,
watching and following to the thresh-
old. inserted the key.
! One word more" he counseled, q
warned you what'n happen if you try
- to break even with me-"
"Never fear. little one" Calendars
-. hlaugh was n%ervously cheerful. The
- Lord knows you're welcome"
THANK You most to DEATH" re-
sponded kirkwood politely. "Goodby
!, and goodby to you, Stryker. Glad to
- have humored your desire to meet me
soon again"
- fro BE CONTINUED