Twice-a-week plain dealer., 1909-10-26

uuu Nv ii SilSlt wv NttiINbtu IL |
away
/ Kirkwood turned upon him in fury.
$50" lie cried. shaking with passion,
/ "this is what your hospitality meant!
You're going to-
4 MY dear young friend" interrupted
Brentwick. with IL flash of impatence.
'rrmember that if ! had designed to
betray you | could have asked no bet
ter opportunity than when you were
my guest under my own roof
"But-hang it all. Brentwick." ex
postuated Kirlwood; ashamed and
contrite. but 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 little shelf beneath the
table top. Sir" he informed Kirk
wood with some heat II love you as
my own son. but you're a young fool,
as l have been in my time and as
would to heaven | 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
iewels:"
AS Brentwicll spoke Calendars cor
!. pu!cnt figure filled the doorway; Stry-
kcr's weather worn features loomed
over his shoulder. distorted in cheer
ful iecr
, "As to the Jewels" announced the
fat advenuTer, 1--WE got a word to
, say, if you put it to me that way"
, He paused on the threshold, partly
} for dramatic effect, partly for his own
satisfaction. In his hand revolver
appeared, poised for immediate use if
there were need.
There was none. Brentwick, at his
primal appearance, had dropped per.
emptory hand on Kirkwood's shoulder,
forcing the young man back to his
seat. AT the same time he resumed
J. 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, little blanched, turned to the
door. But her scarlet lips were set
1 and firm with infleXible purpose, and
her brown eyes met Calendars with q
y look level and unflinching. Beyond
!. !. this she gave no sign of recognition.
u Nearest of the four to the adventur.
ers was Charles. the mechanician
: paused in affrighted astonishment al
u sight Of the revolver. Calendar choos
ing to advance suddenly. poked the
muzzle of the weapon jocularly in the
!, mans ribs Beat 1t, -Four Eyes" he
u snapped. This is your cue to duck
y Get out of my way!'
The mechanician jumped as if shot
then hastily retreated to the table, his
sallow features working beneath the
T google mask which had excited the fat
adventurer's Scorn.
e Come right in, cap'n," Calendar
threw over one shoulder Come in
shut the door and lock it. Let's all bt
'e sociable and have nice quiet time"
Stryker obeyed. with derisive grim
H. ace for Kirkwood.
10 Calendar, advancing jauntily to ,
g point within yard of the table, stop
D. ped, smiling affably down upon hi
!. prospective victims and airily twirlins
ld his revolver.
{ Good evening, ALL" he saluted then
'e blandly. Dorothy. my child" will
" assumed concern. you're looking
10 trifle upset. I'm afraid you've beel
g keeping late hours Little girls mus
" be careful. you know. or they lose tn
bloom of roses in their cheeks MI
~ Kirkwood. it's a pleasure to meet yo1
;. again. Permit me to paraphrase you
IL most sound advice and remind yo
that pistol shots are apt to attrac
lc undesirable attention. 1t wouldn't
'iS wise for you to bring the police abou
our ears. | believe that in substanc
~ such was your sapient counsel to me i
the cabin of the Alethea. was it not
u. Aud you. sir" fixing Brentwick with
III cold, unfricndly eye. you animate
d fossil, what might your name be?"
" 1T might be Brentwick." said tina
=, gentleman pIacidly.
'e- "Brentwick. eh? Well, l like a ma
Of spirit. But permit me to advis
ne you
'ss Gladly" nodded Brentwick.
DIG "Eh? Don't come a second time b.
OK tween father and daughter. Anotht
ll- man might not be as patient as l, Nj
ds Brentwick. There's law in the LAM
ed If you don't happen to know it."
ea 81 congratulate you on your succe:
ne in evading it." observed Brentwic
av undisturbed. "And it was considera
Of you not to employ it in this i
ID stance" Then. with sharp chang
IA of tone. "Come. sir!' he demande
'n- You have unwarrantably intruded
lld this room which have engaged Il
tly my private use. Get through wi
eu your business and be off with you"
llr "Al in good time. my antediluvit
ne friend. When I've wound up my bu:
ness here I'll go-not before. Br
irl. just to oblige you. we'll get down
yer it. Kirkwood, you have revolver
llr' mine Be good enough to return it."
ur- 81 have it here, under the table
ng interrupted Brentwick suavely. "Sh;
'ur / hand it to you?"
"By the muzzle, If you please.
vi very careful. This ones loaded. t
ed. apt to explode any minute"
po- To Kirkwood's intense disgust Brel
rst wick quietly slipped one hand benea
oor the table and placing the revolver
its top. delicately with his finger ii
,,c. ebnxo1 toDvor5 tho forfhar aI, ,