Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-01-04
By Louis Joseph Vance
Copyright. 1905. by tn. Bobb..M.n,li Co.


"Yes."
You took them from those men
you. But didn't my father
81 had to persuade him." said Kirk
wood simply.
But there were three of them
against your!
"Mulready wasn't-ah-feeling very
we'll. and Stryker's a coward. They
gave me no trouble. locked them In
STRIKERS room. lifted the bag of jew
els and came away. ! ought to tell
you that they were discussing the ad-
visibility of sailing away without you.
leaving you here. friendless and with
out means. That's why l considered
It my duty to take hand. don't
like to tell you this so brutally. but
you ought to know"
81 understand"
But for some moments she did not
speak. He avoided looking at her.
The fiacre, rolling at top speed. but
smoothly, on the broad avenues that
encircle the ancient city, turned into
the Avenue de Keyser, bringing into
sight the Care Centrale.
"You don't-k-know"- began the girl
without warning. in q voice gusty with
sobs
STEADY onv said Kirkwood gently.
~ do know, but don't let's talk about
yopll hA on N n
minute. and I'll get out and see what's
to be done about train If neither
Mulready nor Stryker is about. You
stay in the carriage. Mo-! He
changed his mind suddenly. "I'll not
risk losing you again. It's risk well
have to run In company"
"Pleasew she agreed brokenly.
The facre slowed up and stopped.
Are you all right. Miss Calendar%
KirkwoOd asked.
The girl sat up, lifting her head
proudly. 81 am quite ready" she said,
steadying her voice.
Kirkwood reconnoitered through the
window while the driver was descend
ing.
"Gare Centrale. m'sieu'." he said.
opening the door
"No one In sight," Kirkwood told the
girl. "Come, please"
He got out and gave her his hand.
then paid the driver. picked UP the
two bags and hurried with Dorothy
into the station to find In waiting
string Of cars into which people were
moving at leisurely rate, His inquiries
at the ticket window developed the
fact that 1t was the 22:26 for Brussels.
the last train leaving the Care Gen.
trale that night and due to start In ten
minutes.
The information settled their plans
for once and all. KirkwOod promptly
secured through tickets. also purchas-
Ing reserve" supplementary tickets
which entitled them to the use Of
those modern corridor coaches which
take the place Of first class compart-
ments ON the Belgian state railways
ITS pleasure" said Kirkwood
lightly as he followed the girl into
one Of these, Ito find oneself In a
common sense sort Of train again
Feels like home" He put their lug
gage in one Cf the racks and sat down
beside her.
The girl smiled bravely. "And after
Brussels?" she inquired.
First train for the coast" he said
nromrtly-"Dorer, Ostend. Boulogne,
whichever proves handiest, no matter
which, so long rs It gets us on English
soil without undue delay"
Size said "Yes" abstractedly. resting
m elbow on the window sill and her
chin in her palm. to stare with seri-
Gus, sweet brown eyes out into the
arc smitten night that hung beneath
the echoing roof.
KIrkwood fidgeted in despite Of the
constraint he placed himself under to
be still and not disturb her needlessly.
Impatience and apprehension OF mis-
fortune obsessed his mental processes
in equal degree. The ten minutes
seemed interminable that elapsed ere
the grinding couplings advertised the
imminence Of their start.
The guards began to bawl, the doors
to siam. helated travellers to dash mad
" for the coaches. The train gave q
preliminary lurch ere settling down to
its league long inland dash.
n
ague Of fear, saw man sprint fu-
r,ously across the platform and throw
himself on the forward steps OF their
coach on the very instant OF the start.
Presently he entered by the forward
door and walked slowly through, mar
rowly inspecting the various passen-
gers. AS he approached the seats oc-
cupied by Kirkwood and Dorothy Cal
endar his eyes encountered the young
mans, and be leered evilly. Kirkwood
met the look with one that was like a
kick. and the fellow passed with some
haste into the car behind.
"Who was that?" demanded the
girl without moving her head.
How did you known he asked, as
tonished. "You didn't look
81 saw your knuckles whiten beneath
the skin. Who was itr'
Hobbs" he acknowledged bitterly
"the mate of the Alethea."
"I know. And you think
"Yes. He must have been ashore
when I was on board the brtgantine'