The San Francisco call., 1909-04-11


ker meekly obeyed his instructions TO
the letter.
The mechanician, with a contemptu-
Gus laugh, leaving him, strode back 10
Calendar, meanwhile whipping on his
goggles; and clapped a hearty hand
upon the adventurer's quaking shoui-
ders.
weir. he cried. And are you still
sailing circles round the men from Scot
land Yard. Simmons. OF Bellows. or
Sanderson, or Calendar. or Crumbstone.
or whatever name you prefer TO sail
under?"
Calender glared at him aghast; then
heaved a profound sigh. shrugged his
fat shoulders, and bent his head in
thought. An instant later he looked up
You can't do IT," he informed the de-
tective vehemently; you haven't got
shred of evidence against mel What's
there? A pile OF oranges and a peck OF
trashi What of It? Besides.
he threatened. 'if you pinch me. you'll
have to take the girl in. too. I'll not be
trapped this way by her and let her on
without a squeaL Take me-take her;
d'you hear?"
Il think" put in the clear. bland ac-
cents OF Brentwick, I'VE can consider
that matter settled. I have here. my
man"-nodding to the adventurer as he
have here a little matter which may
clear up any lingering doubts as TO
your standing. which you may be dis
posed at present to entertain"
He extracted a slip OF cardboard and.
at arms length, laid 1t on the table
edge beneath the adventurer's eyes The
latter. bewildered. bent over 1t for
moment. breathing heavily; then
Strengthened back. shook himself,
@ko
and faced the detective.
TITS come with you now. 1 guess?"
he suggested very quietly.
The Bannister warrant Is still out
for you." returned the man. -That'n
be enough to hold you on till extra
dition papers arrive from the states"
"Oh. I'll waive those: and I won't
give you any trouble, either. I
reckon" unused the adventurer, 1ing-
ling his manacles thoughtfully. I'm 8
back number any way. When q half
grown girl, half baked boy. dub
like Mulready-damn his eyesl-and q
club footed snipe from Scotland Yard
can put 1t over me this way I.
why, I guess it's up to me TO go homo
and retire to my country place up the
Hudson" He sighed wearily. yep;
time TO cut II out. But / would like
to be free long enough to get in one
good lick at that mutt. Mulready. Ny
friend. you get your hands on him and
I'll squeal on him till I'm blue IN the
face. That's promise"
You'll have the chance before long"
replied the detective. We received
a telegram from the Amsterdam po-
picked up Mr.. Mulready with a woman
named Hallam. and were holding them
on suspicion. 1t seems,"-turning to
Brentwick.-"they were opening nego-
tiations for the sale OF lot OF stones
and seemed In such a precious hurry
that the diamond merchants suspicion
were aroused. We're sending over for
them, Miss Calendar, so you can make
your mind easy about your jewels
you'll have them back IN few days"
THANK you," said the girl with an
effort.
Well" the adventurer delivered his
peroration. Il certainly am blame glad
to hear It ,Twouidn't We been a
He paused. looking his erstwhile
dupes over with a melancholy eve; then,
with an uncertain nod conprehending
the girl. Kirkwood and Brentwick so
lcngr' he said thickly; and turned.
with the detectives hand under his
arm and, accompanied by the thorough
ly cowed Stryker. waddled out OF the
room.
AAA-CO END
Kirkwood. following the exodus.
closed the door with elaborate care
and slowly. deep In thought. returned
to the table.
Dorothy seemed not to have moved.
save to place her elbows on the marble
slab and rest her cheeks between hands
that remained clenched. as they had
been in the greatest stress Of her emo
tion. The color had returned to her
cit
of hue to the credit OF her excitement.
Her cheeks were hot, her eyes starlike
beneath the woven, massy sunlight of
her hair. Temporarily unconscious OF
her Surroundings she stared steadfastIy
before her. thoughts astray IN the iri-
descent glamour OF the dreams that
were to come.
Brentwick had slipped down IN his
chair, resting his silvered head upon
its back. and was smiling sereneIy up
at the low yellow ceiling. Before him
on the table his long white fingers
were drumming an inaudible tune.
Presently rousing he caught Kirk
woods eye and smiled sheepishly, like
child caught In innocent mischief.
The younger man grinned broadly.
And you were responsible for all
thatt' he commented. infinitely amused.
Brentwiek nodded. twinkling self
satisfaction. Il contrived it all he
said; meat. call 1t. too" His old eyes
frightened with reminiscent enjoyment.
inspiration" he crowed softly. IN
aspiration. pure and simple. I'd been
worrying my wits for fully five minutes
before Wotton settled the matter by
telling me about the captains hfr-
Ing OF the motor car. Then. In a
flash. 1 had It. I talked with
Charles by telephone-his name is
really Charles, by the by-overcarne
his conscientious scruples about play
ing his fish when they were already all
but landed. and settled the artistic de-
tails"
He chuclxled delightsd1y. TITS the in
stinct." he declared emphatically. "the
instinct for adventure. I knew IL was
in me, latent somewhere. but never till
this day did It get the opportunity to
assert itself. A born adventurer-
that's what I am You see,
it was essential that they should be-
lieve we were frightened and running
from them; that way, they would be
sure to run after us. Why, we might
have baited a dozen traps and failed
to lure them into my house. after that
stout scoundrel knew you'd had the
chance to tell me the whole yarn.
Oddr'
Weren't you taking chances, you
and Charles?" asked Kirkwood curl
ously-