Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-01-11

~ OOlp oCANbCb WAN NAo.'es
seeing in a fash how all his
plans might be set at naught
- by Dorothy's unforeseen In
subordination, Kirkwood took step Oh
two after her, but she was fleet of foot.
and, remembering Hobbs. he halted.
BY this time the mate, too, was rum
ming. Kirkwood could hear the heavy
pounding Of his clumsy feet. Already
Dorothy had almost gained the farther
corner. As she whisked round it with
flutter Of skirts Kirkwood lodged
hastily behind gatepost. A thought
later Hobbs appeared. head down
chest out, eyes straining for sight OF
his quarry. pelting along for dear life.
As, rounding the corner, he stretch
ed out in swifter stride Kirkwood was
inspired to put a spoke In his wheel.
and a foot thrust suddenly out from
behind the gatepost accomplished his
purpose with more success than he
had dared anticipate. Stumbling, the
mate plunged headlong, arms and legs
a-sprawl, and the momentum OF his
pace, though checked, carried him
along the sidewalk, face downward, a
full yard ere he could stay himself.
Kirkwood stepped out of the gate
way and sheered off as Hobbs picked
himself up, something which he did
rather slowly. as If in daze. without
comprehension of the cause Of his
misfortune. And for moment he
stood pulling his wits together and
swaying as though on the point of re
suming his rudely interrupted chase
when the noise Of Kirkwood's heels
brought him about face.
"Ow, it's you, eh!" he snarled In u
temper as vicious as his countenance.
Myself" admitted KirkwoOd fairly.
and then, in CLEAN Of humor,
Weren't you looking for me?"
His rage seemed to take The little
cockney and shake him by the throat
He trembled from head to foot. his
face shockingly congested, and spat
out dust and fragments Of lurid bias
phemy like an infuriated cat.
OF sudden "W'ere's the gel?" he
sputtered thickly as his quick shifting
eyes for the first time noted Dorothy's
absence.
Miss Calendar has other business
none with you. I've taken the liberty
of stopping you because have a word
or two
SOW, you ave, ave you?. I've a
word for you too! And over that bag
and look nippy or I'll myke you pye
for wat you've done to me. I'll myke
you pyer' he iterated hoarsely, edgine
closer. "'And 1t over orr
you've got another guess Kirk
wood began. but saved his breath In
Difference to an imperative demand on
him for instant defensive action, for a
six inch blade Of tarnished steel was
winging toward Kirkwood's throat with
the speed Of light.
Instinctively he stepped back, as In
stinctively he guarded with his right
forearm. lifting the hand that held the
satchcl The knife, catching In his
sleeve, scratched the arm beneath
painfully and simultaneously was
twisted from the mates grasp. while
in his surprise Kirkwood's grip on the
bag handle relaxed. 1t was torn forci
bly, from his fingers just US he re
ceived heavy blow on his chest from
the mates fist He staggered back.
By the time he had recovered from
the shock Hobbs was Il score Of feet
away. the satchel tucked under his
arm. his body bent almost double. run
ming like jack rabbit. Ere Kirkwood
rould get under way In pursuit the
mate had lodged out Of sight round
the corner. When the American caught
sight of him again he was far down
the block and bettering bis pace with
every jump.