Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-01-25
or whatever name you prefer to sail

or whatever name you prefer to sal
under"
Calendar glared at him aghast. thel
heaved a profound, sigh. shrugged bis
fat shoulders and bent his head IN
thought. An instant later he looked
up. "You can't do It." he Informed the
detective vehemently you haven't
got a shred of evidence against me!
What's there? A pile Of oranges and
a peck of trash! What of It? Be.
Sides" he threatened, II you pinch
me you'll have to take the girl in too
swear that whatever stealing was
done she did It. I'll not be trapped
this way by her and let her off with
put squeal Take ne-take her. d'you
hearW
81 think" put in the clear. bland ac-
tents Of Brentwick. I'VE can consider
that matter settled. have here, my
man." nodding to the adventurer Us
he took up the black leather wallet
~ have here 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
Mt arms length laid 1t on the table
edge beneath the adventurer's eyes.
The latter, bewi'dered. bent over it for
a moment. breathing heavily, then
ytraightened back, shook himself,
laughed shortly with mlrthless note
and faced the detective.
"It's come with you. now I guessT
he suggested very quietly.
1.-THE Bannister warrant Is still out
for you" returned the man. "Thatll
be enough to hold you on till extradi.
ton papers arrive from the States"
"Oh, I'll waive those. and won't
give you any trouble either. reckon"
mused the adventurer. tingling bis
manacles thoughtfully, I'm back
number anyway. When a half grown
girl, a half baked boy. hub like Mul-
ready and clubfooted snipe from
Scotland Yard can iput 1t all over me
this way, why, l guess It's up to me to
60 home and retire to my country
place up the Hudson" He sighed
wearily. Yep: time to cut 1t out. But
would like to be free long enough to
get in one good lick at that mutt Mul
ready. My friend, you get your hands
on him, and Ill squeal on him till I'm
blue in the face. That's promise"
You'll have the chance before long,"
replied the detective. I'VE received a
telegram from the Amsterdam police
late this afternoon. saying they'd pick
ed up Mr.. Mulready with 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 suspi-
cions were reused. We're sending over
for them, Miss Calendar. so you can
make your mind easy about your jew
els. You'll have them back In few
days."
THANK you," said the girl with an
effort.
"Well," the adventurer delivered his
perorat1on, 81 certainly am blamed
glad to hear 1t. 'Twouldn't we been q
square deal any other way"
Then, with an uncertain nod compre-
hending the girl, Kirkwood and Brent
wick. $50 long" he said thickly and
turned, with the detectives hand un-
der his arm, and, accompanied by the
thoroughly cowed Stryker, waddled out
Of the room.
Kirkwood, following the exodus,
closed the door with elaborate care
and slowly, deep In thought, returned
to the table.
Brentwick had slipped down in his
chair, resting his silvered head upon
Its back, and was smiling serenely up
at the low yellow ceiling. Before him
on the table his long white fingers
were drumming an inaudible tune.
Presently rouslng, he caught Kirk
woods eye and smiled sheepishly, like
a child caught In innocent mischief.
The younger man grlnned broadly.
"And you were responsible for all that!"
he commented, infinitely amused.
Brentwick nodded. twinkling self sat.
isfaction. II contrived 1t ALL" he said.
"Neat, l call 1t too" His old eyes
frightened with reminiscent enjoy
ment. inspiration" he crowed softly
inspiration. pure and simple. I'd been
worrying my wits for fully five min
utes before Wotton settled the matter
by telling me about the captains hir-
ing of the motor car Then In Il fash
| had 1t. | talked with Charles by
telephone-his name is really Charles.
by the bye-overcame his conscientious
scruples about playing his fish when
they were already all but landed and
settled the artistic details"
He chuckled delightedly. ITS the
instinct" he declared emphatically-
"thc instinct for adventure. I knew
It was in Inc, latent somewhere, but
never till this day did 1t get the op
portunity to assert itself. A born ad
venturer-thats what am! You see.
1t 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 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.
Oddw
Weren't you taking chances. you
and Charles?" asked KirkwOod curl
ously.
"Precious few. There was another
motor from Scotland Yard trailing
raptain Strikers. II they had run