Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-10-21

AtOS hSVP1'SoA'
turning from the window, remarked
the fact ENORMOUSLY. then drew a chair
up to Il marble topped table in the
middle of the floor.
My DEAR" he requested the girl,
will you oblige me by sitting over
here? And, Philip. bring up Il chair,
if you will. We must not permit our
selves to worry, and L have something
here which may perhaps engage your
interest for awhile"
To humor him and alleviate his evil
dent distress of mind they acccded.
Kirkwood found himself seated oppo-
site Dorothy. Suddenly Charles burst
unceremonicusly in, leaving the door
wide open.
"Mr. Brentwick, sir" he cried gus
tily, that other car
With II smothered ejaculation Kirk
wood leaped to his feet. Juggling at the
weapon in his pocket. In another in
slant he had the revolver exposed.
The girls cry of alarm, in%terrupting the
mechanician. fixed Brentwick's atten-
ton on the young man. lie, too, stood
up. reaching over very quickly to
clamp strong, supple fingers round
Kirkwood'S wrist. while with the 9th
er hand he laid hold of the revolver
and by Il single twist wrenclled it
away.
Kirkwood turned upon him in fury.
$50" he cried. shaking with passion,
this is what Your hospitality meant.
You're going to-
My lear young friend,' interrupted
Prentwick, With IL fash of impaticncc,
"rcmembcr that if / had designed to
betray YOU ! could have asked no bet
ter opportunity than when you We're
my guest under my WI roof"
'But-llang it all. Brentw1cls," eX-
%postulatcd Kirkwood. ashamed and
contritc. bur worked upon by desper-
| ate apprehension, 81 didn't mean that,
| but
Would you have bullets flying when
she is near?" demanded Brentwick
scathingly. Hastily he slipped the re-
volver upon Il little shelf beneath the
table top. Sir" he Informed Kirk
| wood with some heat. II love you as
my own son, but you're Il young fool,
as l have been in my time and as I
would to heaven l might be again!
Be advised, Philippe calm. Can't
you see it's the only way to save your
treasurer"
"Hang the jewels!" retorted Kirk
wood warmly. "What'-
'Sir, who said anything about the
jewels?"
AS Brentwick spoke Calendars COR
pulent figure filled the doorway; Stry-
ker's weather worn features doomed
over his shoulder, distorted in a cheer
full leer.
LAS to the Jewe1s," TIC
fat adv%enturer. Owe got a word TO
say, if you put it to me that way"
lie paused on the threshold. partly
for dramatic effect. partly for his OWE
satisfaction. In his hand a revolver
appeared, poised for immediate use j.
there We're need.
There was none. Brentwick, at his
primal appearance, had dropped a per-
emptory hand on Kirkwood's shoulder.
forcing the young man back to his
seat. At the same time he resumed
his own The girl had not stirred
from hers since the first alarm. She
sat as if transfiXed with terror, lean
Ing forward with her elbows on the
table, her hands tightly clasped, her
face, a little blanched, turned to the
door. But her scarlet lips were set
and firm with intlexible purpose, and
her brown eyes met Calendars With a
look level and u%nflinching. Beyond
this h gave no sign of recognition.
Nearest of the four to the adventure
ers was Charles, the m~echanician,
paused in affrighted astonishment at
sight of the revolver. Calendar, choos-
ing to advance suddenly. poked the
muzzle of the weapon jocularly in the
mans ribs. BEAT it, -Four Eyes.' he
snapped. '"This is your cue to duck,
Get out Of my way"
The mechanician jumped as If shot.
then hastily rctreated to the table, his
sallow features working beneath the
google mask which had excited the fat
adventurer's scorn.
Come right in, cap'n,'' Calendar
threw over Il shoulder. Come in,
shut the door and lock it. Let's all be
sociable and have a nice quiet time"
Stryker obeyed, with a derisive grim
ace for Kirkwood.
Calendar, advancing jauntily to a
point within a yard Of the table, stop
ped, smiling affably down upon his
prospective victims and airily twirling
his revolver.
Good evening, all" he saluted them
blandly. Dorothy, my child" with
assumed concern. you're looking a
tride upset. I'm afraid you've been
keeping late hours. Little girls must
be careful, you know, or they lose the
bloom Of roses in their cheeks. Mr..
Kirkwood, it's a pleasure to meet you
again. Permit me to .paraphrase your
most sound advice and remind you
that pistol shots are apt to attract
undesirable attention. 1t wouldn't be
wise for you to bring the police about
our ears. 1 believe that in substance