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

II know, but there must be no mis-
understanding. Don't worry. Wei
win out yet. I've plan."
Glorious liar! He had not the glim
mering Of plan.
The engine painting, the train drew
in beneath the vast sounding dome OF
the station to an accompaniment OF
dull thunderings and stopped finally.
Hurried and jostled, the girl cling
Ing tightly to his arm lest they be sep
arated in the crush, they came to the
ticket wicket. Beyond the barrier
surged sea of hats. Beneath any
one of these might lurk the malefcent
brain, the spying eyes, Of Calendar or
one of his creatures. Beneath all OF
them that he encountered Kirkwood
peered in fearful inquiry.
Abruptly he caught the girl by the
| arm and unceremoniously hurried her
toward a waiting hanson.
"Quickw he begged her. Jump right
in-not an instant to spare!'
She nodded brightly, lips firm with
courage, eyes shining.
"My father"
"Yes." Kirkwood glanced back over
his shoulder. HE hasn't seen US yet.
They've just driven up. Stryker's
with him. They're getting down"
And to himself, "Oh, the devil!" cried
the panic stricken young man.
He drew back to let the girl precede
him into the cab. At the same time
he kept an eye on Calendar, whose
conveyance stood half the length OF
the station front away.
The fat adventurer had finished pay
ing off the driver, standing on the
deck Of the hanson. Stryker was al
ready out, towering above the mass Of
people and glaring about him with his
hawk keen vision. Calendar had start
ed to alight. His foot was leaving the
step when Stryker's glance singled out
their quarry. Instantly he turned and
spoke to his confederate. Calendar
wheeled like a fash, peering eagerly
in the direction indicated by the cap
tain's index finger, then. swapping in
structions to his driver, threw himself
heavily back on the seat. Stryker,
awkward on his land legs. stumbled
and fell In an Ill calculated attempt to
hoist himself hastily back into the
vehicle.
To the delay thus occasioned alone
Kirkwood and Dorothy owed respite
of freedom. Their hanson was al
ready swinging down toward the great
gates Of the yard, the American stand
ing to make the driver comprehend
the necessity for using the utmost
speed in reaching the Craven street
address. The man proved both intelli-
gent and obliging. kirkwood had bare
ly time to drop down beside the girl
ere the cab was swinging out into the
Strand, to the peril Of the toes be-
longing to number Of righteously in.
dignant pedestrians.
He turned in the seat, twisting his
neck to peep through the small real
window. II don't see their cab," he
announced. but Of course they're
after us. However, Craven streets
Just round the corner. Ii we get there
first l don't fancy Freddie Hallam will
have a cordial reception for our pur-
suers. They must have been on watch
ut Cannon street, and, finding we were
not coming In that way-of course they
were expecting us because Of Hobbs
wire-they took cab for Charing Cross.
Lucky for us-or Is 1t lucky?" he add
ed doubtfully to himself.
The hanson whipped round the cor
ner into Craven street. kirkwood
sprang up, grasping the treasure bag,
ready to Jump the instant they pulled
In toward Mrs. Hallam's dwelling. But
as they drew near upon the address he
drew back with an exclamation OF
amazement.
The house was closed. showing q
blank face to the street-blinds drawn
close down In the windows, area gate
padlocked, an estate agents board pro-
jecting from above the doorway ad-
vertising the property ITO be let, fur
nished."
Kirkwood looked back, craning his
neck round the side Of the cab. At the
moment another hanson was break.
ing through the rank Of humanity on
the Strand crossing. He saw one or
two figures leap desperately from be-
meath the horses hoofs. Then the cab
shot out swiftly down the street.
The American stood up again, catch
Ing the cabby's eye.
Drive onw he cried excitedly.
Don't stop! Drive as fast as you
darew
"W'ere to. sir"
"see that cab behind2 Don't let It
catch us! Shake 1t off, lose 1t some
how, but for the love Of heaven don't
let 1t catch us! I'll make 1t worth your
while. Do you understand"
"Yes, SIR" The driver looked brief
ly over his shoulder and lifted his
whip. Don't worry, SIR" he cried.
entering into the spirit Of the game
with gratifying zest "Shan't let 'em
over'aul you, sir. Mind your 'ead"
And as Kirkwood ducked the whip
lash shot out over the roof with a
crack like the report Of pistol.
Startled, the horse leaped Indignantly
forward. Momentarily the cab seemed
to leave the ground, then settled down
to a pace that carried them round the
Avenue tbeater and across Nolshum-
berland avenue iIto Whitehall place
apparently on single wheel.
Good little horsew he applauded.
A moment later he was indorsing
without reserve the generalship Of
their cabby. The quick westward
turn that took them into Whitehall,
over across from the Horse Guards,
likewise placed them In a pocket OF
traffic. A practically impregnable
press Of vehicles closed in behind them
ere Calendars conveyance could fol
low out of the side street.
That the same conditions, but slight
" modified, hemmed them In ahead
went for nothing In Kirkwood's esti'
nation.
"Good driverw he approved heartily
"He's got a head on his shoulders"
The girl found her Voice. How
she demanded in breath. face blank
with onsternation-"how did you
dare?"
"Dare?" he echoed exultantly, and
IN his veins excitement was running