Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-01-25
G6e
BLACK
BAG
By Louis Joseph Vance
CONTINUED
By Louis Joseph Vance
copyrish. 1908. by the Bebhs-As.ili G.

Mlter Charles met them, evidently &C.
riously disturbed. mo petrol to be
had here, sir" he announced reluctant
ly, but the landlord will send to the
next inn. mile up the road, for some.
You will have to be patient, I'm afraid,
SIR"
Every well. Get some one to help
You push the car In from the road"
ordered Brentwick "We will be wait
ing In one Of the private parlors."
"Yes. sir. Thank you, SIR" The
mechanician touched the visor Of bis
cap and hurried off.
Come. Kirkwood" Gently Brent
wick drew the girl in with him.
A rosy checked and beaming land.
lady met him in the corridor and. all
bows and smiles, ushered him into a
private parlor reserved for the party,
Immediately bustling off In a desper'
ate furry to secure refreshments de-
sired by Brentwick.
The girl had seated herself on one
end of an extremely comfortless
lounge and was making a palpable
| effort to seem at ease. Brentwick
stood at one Of the windows. sh0ul-
ders rounded and head bent, hands
clasped behind his back as he peered
out into the night Kirkwood dropped
the travelling bag beneath chair the
farthest removed from the doorway
and took to pacing the floor.
In a corner of the room tall grand
fathers clock licked Off ten intermina'
BILE minutes. For some reason uncon-
scionably delaying. the landlady did
not reappear Brentwick. abruptly
turning from the window, remarked
the fact querulously. then drew chair
up to a marble topped table IN the
middle Of the floor.
"My dear" he requested the girl.
will you oblige me by sitting over
here? And. Philip. bring up chair.
If you will. We must not permit our
selves to worry. and | have something
here which may perhaps engage your
interest for awhile"
To humor him and alleviate his evil
dent distress of mind they acceded.
Kirkwood found himself seated oppO-
site Dorothy Suddenly Charles burst
unceremoniously In. leaving the door
wide open.
MIR. Brentwick, sir" he cried gus
tily. that other car
| With smothered ejaculation Kirk
wood leaped to his feet, tugging at the
weapon in his pocket. In another In
slant he had the revolver exposed.
The girls cry Of alarm. interruptislg the
mechanician. fixed Brentwick's atten-
ton ON the young man. He. too. stood
up. reaching over very quickly to
clamp strong. supple fingers round
Kirkwood's wrist. while with the 9TH
er hand he laid hold Of the revolver
and by a single twist wrenched 1t
away.
Kirkwood turned upon him in fury.
So" he cried. shaking with passion,
this Is what your hospitality meant!
You're going to-
my dear young friend" interrupted
Brentwick. with fash Of impatience,
remember that II had designed to
betray you l could have asked no bet
ter opportunity than when you were
my guest under my own roof"
"But-hang 1t all, Brentwick," ex-
postulated Kirkwood, ashamed and
sontrite, but worked upon by desper-
ate apprehension, 81 didn't mean that.
but
Would you have bullets flying when
she Is near?" demanded Brentwick
scathingly. Hastily he slipped the re-
volver upon a little shelf beneath the
table top. "Sir," he Informed Kirk
wood with some heat. 81 love you as
my own son. but you're a young fool,
us | have been in my time and as l
would to heaven l might be again!
BE advised. Philippe calm. Can't
you see it's the only way to save your
treasurer
Hang the jewelsr' retorted Kirk
wood warmly. What
"Sir, who said anything about the
lewels?'
AS Brentwick spoke Calendars cor
pulent figure filled the doorway; Stry-
ker's weather worn features loomed
over his shoulder. distorted in cheer.
full leer.
"As to tie Jewels" announced the
fat adventurer, 1--WE got word to
say. If you put 1t to me that way"
| He paused on the threshold, partly
for dramatic effect. partly for his own
satisfaction. In his hand revolver
appeared, poised for immediate use If
| there were need.
There was none Brentwick, at his
primal appearance, had dropped per-
empt0ry hand on Kirkwood's shoulder,
forcing the young man back to his
seat At the same time he resumed
his own. The girl had not stirred
from hers since the first alarm. She
sat as II transflxed with terror, lean
Ing forward with her elbows on the
table. her hands tightly clasped, her
face, a little blanched, turned to the
door. But her scarlet lips were set
and firm with inflexible purpose, and
her brown eyes met Calendars with
look level and unflinching. Beyond
this she gave no sign of recognition.
Nearest of the four to the adventur-
ers was Charles, the mechanician,
paused In affrighted astonishment at
sight Of the revolver. Calendar, choos-
Ing to advance suddenly, poked the
muzzle Of the weapon jocularly In the
mans ribs. BEAT 1t, -Four Eyes" be
snapped. ''This is your cue to duck!
Get out Of my Yay!'
The mechanlcian jumped as II shot.
then hastily retreated to the table, his
sallow features working beneath the
google mask which had excited the int
adventuYer's scorn.
"Come right In, cap'n." Calendar
threw over one shoulder. Come In,
shut the door and lock 1t. Let's all be
sociable and have a nice quiet time"
Stryker obeyed, with derisive grim
ace for Kirkwood.
| Calendar, advancing jauntily to .
point within yard Of the table, stop
1 ped, smiling affably down upon bis
prospective victims and airily twirlina
his revolver.
4, Good evening, all!' he saluted them
blandly. Dorothy. my child" with
assumed concern, you're looking q
1 .tv,1 fN<anr