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:PGSED the ad- ation is the mm, more conservatively. KirkNO“ rose, expectant. There was a swish of draperies, and a moment later he was acknowledging the totally unlooked for entrance of the ”assess of the house. He had thought to see Calendar. presuming him to be the man closeted with Mrs. Hanan): but, whoever that had been, he did not accompany the woman. In. fined. as she advanced from the door. He bowed, discovering himself in the presence of an extraordinarily hand- some and interesting woman, a woman 01' years which as yet had not told upon her, of experience that had not availed to harden her, at least in so fat as her exterior charm of personal~ it? was involvedâ€"a woman. in brief. Who bore close inspection well despite an elusive effect of maturity. not with- out its attraction for men. Kirkwood was immissed that it would be very Wt!) learn to like Mrs. Hailam more Mavenâ€"with her approval. Although he had not anticipated it. he was not at all surprised to recog- nize in her the woman who, if he were not mistaken. had slipped to Calendar ”that warning in the dining room of the “I am Mrs. Hanam. You were ask- ing for Mr. Calendar?” “He was to have been here at this hour, I besieve," said Kirkwood. “Yes?" There was just the right 13' fleetion of surprise in her carefully conmned tone. “Duncan Calender? In. Hallam roan alertly. way Eirkwood could hear the man’s footsteps on the stairs. ‘This is Mr. Kirkwood?” The note of inquiry in the well trained voiceâ€"a very alluring voice and one pleasant to listen to, he thoightâ€"made it seem as tboagh she had asked, point blank. “Who is Mr. Kirkwood?" uue xnnjicn‘ Med. with a gracious ges- ture, a chair and took for herself one end Of a davenport. “I’m sure he w?n:t be long now.” ” anank you, I will return. if I may. Kirkwood “D >_ moved toward the door. was not Mr. Calendar.” The fine brows arched in surprise. real 01' med, at his first blurted words PQIaxed. Amused, the woman ed deliciously. “But I am ex- XZ him any moment. He was to .been here half an hour since. smile. not By Louis Joseph Vance deprecated his (Copyright 1908, by the Bobbs-Merrill Co.) She lifted her shoulders impatiently and with a quick move- ment stepped back across the thresh- old, where she paused, a rounded arm barring the entrance. one hand grasp- ing the doorknob, as if. to shut him out at any moment. To the left the Strand roared, the stream of its night life in high spate; on the right 133' the embankment. com- paratively silent and deserted. if bril- liant with its high swung lights. Be- tween the two. quiet Craven street ran, short and narrow and wholly innocent of any form of eqnipage. “I’m awaiting your explanation,” she said coldly. He grinned with nervousness, striv- ing to penetrate the mental processes of this handsome Mrs. Hallam. She seemed to regard him with a suspicion which he thought inexcusable. Did she suppose he had spirited Dorothy Calendar away and then called to apâ€" prise her of the fact, or that he was some sort of adventurer who had manufactured a plausible yarn to gain him access to her home, orâ€"harking back to her original theoryâ€"that he was an emissary from Scotland Yard? Probably she distrusted him on the latter hypothesis. The reflection left him more at ease. “I am quite as mystified as you, Mrs. Hallam,” he began. “Miss Calendar was here at this door in a four wheel- er not ten minutes ago, and”â€" “Then where is she now?” ‘ “Tell me” where Calendar is,” he re- torted, inspired, “and I’ll try to an- swer you 2" Mrs. Halhm’s slim white fingers turned latch and knob, openingrthe street door, and her voice died awn-y as she stepped out into the night Then, with a sudden, imperative ges- ture, she half turned toward him. “But,” she exclaimed. perplexed, gaz- ing to right and leftâ€"“but the cab, Mr. Kirkwood ‘3” ‘ She swung about quickly. preceding him to thee d00r and down the stairs; “I am sure Dorothy will come in to wait it I ask her.” she told Kirkwood in a high. sweet voice. “I’m so anx- ious to know her. It’s .quite absurd. really. of herâ€"to stand on ceremony with me when her father made an ap- pointment here. I’ll run out and ask”â€" He was on the stoop a second later. Standing beside her, be stared blankly. calendar is waiting in a cab outSide. “Dorothy Calendar!” Mrs. Hanan» rose alertly. “But why should she‘ wait there? To be sure, we’ve never met. but I have known her father to:- many years." fl “That Calendar was in this house when I came: that he left, found his daughter in the cab and drove off with her. It’s clear‘enough.” “You are quite mistaken,” she said thoughtfully. “George Calendar has not been here this night.” He wondered that she did not seem to resent his imputation. “I think not”â€" “Listen!” she cried, raising a warn- ing hand. and. relaxing her vigilant attitude, moved forward once more to peer down toward the embankment. A cab had cut in from that direction and was bearing down upon them with a brisk rumble of hoofs. As it ap- proached, Kirkwood’s heart, that had lightened; was weighed upon again by disappointment. It was no four wheel- er, but a hansom, and the open wings of the apron, disclosing a white trian- gle of linen surmounted by a glowing épot of fire, betrayed the sex of the fare too plainly to allow of further hope that it might be the girl return- At the door the cab pulled up sharp- ly and a man tumbled hastily out upon the sidewalk. “Here!” he cried throatily, tossing the cabby his fare, and turned toward the pair upon the doorstep, evidently surmising that something was amiss, for he was Calendar in proper person and a sight to upset in a twinkling Kirkwood’s ingeniously builded castle “Mrs. Hallam!” he cried, out of breath. “13 my daughter here?” And then, catching sight of Kirkwood’s countenance: “Why, hello, Kirkwoodx" He saluted him with a dubious air. of suspicion. "'- tineâ€"776mm interrupted hastily. “Please come in, Mr. Calendar. This gentleman has been ingnirmg for you. , I, -__‘_ _..-___ :11â€" fiastonishing tale about; your her eyes were blank. “You CHAPTER VII. ELL, Mnâ€"Kirkwood?" “Mrs. Hauam." he stam meted, “I”â€" I 1 “Give Mr. Mulready a run for his : money. Come along, Kirkwood! We havent a minute. Mrs. Hallam, perâ€" mit us." She stepped aside, and be brushed past her to the door. “Come. Kirkwood!” He seemed to take Kirkwood's com- pany for granted, and the young man was not inclined to argue the point. Meekly enough he tell in with Calen- “OW?” interjected Calendar, eying the woman steadfastly and employing an exclamation of combined illumina- tion and inquiry more typically British :han anything Kirkwood had yet heard from the man. “Within ten minutes,” said Kirk- wood. “Here; let’s get ~1t= straight.” And he told what had happened, men- tioning that he had not paid the cab ariver. ‘Thanksfl said Calendar dryly. He bent his head in thought for an in- stant. then looked up and fixed Mrs. Hallam with an unprejudiced eye. “I heard a man leave as Mrs. Haliam joined me.” he volunteered helpfully, and with a suspicion of malice. “And' after thatâ€"I paid no attention at the timeâ€"it seems to me i did néar a cab :11 the street”â€" "Tell me who it was!" he demanded in an ugly tone. Her fine eyes wavered and fell be- fore his. and Kirkwood remarked that her underlip was curiously drawn in. For her part, the look she gave Kirk- mml was sharp With fury. It was nun-e; it was a mistake, a flaw in her iiplomacy, for Calendar intercepted it. {Inceremoniousl'y he grasped her bare Inn with his fat hand. She freed herself with a twist and stepped back, a higher color in her :heeks, a flash of anger in her eyes. ~'-rr '"* ed.” It gave him an instant’s time. “There’s something fishy!” he told himself. “These two are playing at cross purposes. Calendars no fool. He’s evidently a crook to boot. As for the woman, she’s had her eyes open for a number of years. The main thing’s Dorothy. She didn’t vanish of her own initiative. And Mrs. Hallam: knows or suspects more than she’s going to tell. I don’t think she wants Dorothy found. Calendar does. So- to L Ergo, I’m for Calendar." “Disappeared?” Calendar» was barks kg at him. “How? When?" Where?" “Mr. Mulready,” she retorted defiant- ly. “What of that?" “I wish I was sure,” declared the rat adventurer, exasperated. “As it is, I‘ bet a dollar you’vé‘put your foot in it." my lady. I warned you of that black- ;uard. There! The mischief’s done. We won’t row over it. One moment.” He begged it with a wave of his hand. stood pondering briefly, fumbled for his watch, found and consulted it. "It‘s the barest chance,” he muttered. “Perhaps We can make it.” “I say!" he demanded explosively. “There wasn’t any one here that knewâ€"eh?” “What are you going to do?” asked the woman. “Well, well?” snapped the latter-1m- yatiently, turning to the young man; But Kirkwood was thinking quick- ly. For the present he contented‘him‘ self with a deliberate statement of fact, “Miss Calendar has disappear' M” 14- M..- L:... _ - flat on the sidewalk. Mrs. Hanam rol- lowed them out. “You won’t forget?” she called tentatively. “I'll phone you it we find out any- thing." Calendar jerked the words uncermoniously over his shoulder as, Linking arms with Kirkwood, he drew him swiftly along. They heard her shut the door. Instantly Calendar stopped. “Look here, did Dorothy 518.78 aâ€"a small parcel with her?” “She had a gladstone bag." “Oh, the devil, the devil!” Calendar started on again, muttering distracted- 1y. As they reached the corner he iisengaged his arm. “We’ve a minute mu :1 ‘uaif to reach Charing Cross pier, and I think it’s the last boat. You set the pace, will you? But remember I’m an oldish man and-and tat.” They began to run, the one easily, the other lumbering after like an old fashioned square rigged ship paced by a liner. The Thames appeared before them, a river of ink on whose burnished sur- face lights swam in long winding streaks and oily blobs. By the floating pier a county council steamboat strain- ed its hawsers, snoring huskily. Bells were jingling in her- engine room as the two gained the head or the sloping gangway. Kirkwood slapped a shilling down on the ticket window ledge. “Where to?" he cried back to Calendar. “Cherry Gardens pier," rasped the winded man. He stumbled after Kirk- wood, groaning with exhaustion. Only the tolerance of the pier employees gained them their end. The steamer was held some seconds for them. As Calendar staggered to its deck the gangway was jerked in, the last haw- ser cast off. The boat sheered wide out on the river, then shot in, arrow- like. to the pier beneath Waterloo bridge. The deck was crowded, and addi- tional passengers embarked at every stop. In the circumstances conversa- tion, save on the most impersonal top- ics. was impossible. w - a 5L3??? LINDSAY POST He was lifting the whistle to sound a second summons when a rowboat rounded a projecting angle formed by the next warehouse downstream and with clanking oarlocks swung in to- ward the landing. On her thwarts ‘ two figures. dipping and rising. labored with the sweeps. As they drew in the I man forward shipped his blades and. rising, scrambled to the bows in order I to graSp an iron mooring ring set in I the wall. ‘ .4‘ As the hint snorted bureaus-Dom» bridge Calendars impatience ~ drove- him from his seat back to the gang- way. “Next stop,” he told‘ Kirkwood! curtly and rested his heavy bulk against the paddle box. brooding- mo- rosely, until. after an uninterrupted run of more than a mile, the steamer swept in, side wheels backing water furiously against the ebbing tide, to Cherry Gardens landing. Swéet name for a locality unsavory beyond credence! Kirkwood shuddered, sticking close to Calendar’s side as they landed. Life’s naked brutallties had thereto- fiore been largely out of his ken. He had heard of slums. had even ventured’to mouth politely moral platitudes omthe subject of overcrowding in great cen- tiers of population, but in the darkest flights of imagination had never: pic- tured to himself anything so unspeak- shly foul and hopeless as this. And they were come hither seeking Doro- thy Calendar! “Good Lord!" exclaimed the young man. “What in heaven’s name. Ca!- endar”â€"- “Bermondsey Old Stairs. Come on.” They descended to the landing stage. Beneath them the pool slept, a sheet of polished ebony. whispering to itself, lapping with small, stealthy gurgles angles of masonry and ancient piles. On the farther bank tall warehouses reared square old time heads. their un- compromising, rugged profile relieved here and there by tapering mastheads. A few scattering, feeble lights were- visible. Nothing moved save the river. and the Wind. The landing itself they found quite- dcserted. something which the adven- turer comprehended with a nod which, like its accompanying inarticulate ejac- ulation, might have been taken to in- dicate either satisfaction or disgust. He ignored Kirkwood altogether for the time being and presently produced a small, bright object which, applied to his lips, proved to be a boatswain’s whistle. He sounded two blasts one long, one brief. There fell a lull, Kirkwood watching the other and wondering what next‘ would happen. Calendar paced rest- lessly to and fro upon the narrow landing, now stopping to incline an ear to catch some anticipated sound, now searching with sweeping glances the black reaches of the 0001'. many; consulting his watch, “Al- most 10." he announced After some ten minutes’ steady walk- ing Calendar turned aside with a mut- tered word and dived down a covered dark and evil smelling passageway that seemed to lead toward the river. Some ten or twelve paces from its entrance the passageway swerved ata right angle, continuing three yards or so. to end in a blank wall, wherefrom a flickering, inadequate gas lamp jut- ted. At this point a stone platform perhaps four feet square was discov- ered, from the edge of which a flight of worn and slimy stone steps led down to a permanent boat landing. where another gaslight flared gustily despite the protection of its frame of begrimed glass. Mastering his involuntary qualms. Rirkwood followed. Calendar waddled to the brink of the stage. grunting with relief. “The other man." he asked brusque- lyâ€"“has he gone aboard. or is this the first trip tonight?” One of the watermen nodded assent to the latter question, adding gruffly, “Seen nawthin' of ’im, sir." “Very good.” said Calendar, as if be doubted whether it were very "good or bad. “We’ll wait a bit.” “We’re in time?” “Can’t say. . If that infernal boat would only show up”- ‘ “Right-o!” agreed the waterman civ- illy. Calendar turned back, his small eyes glimmering with satisfaction. “I sup- pose,” he said to Kirkwood abruptly, “you haven’t changed your mind?" “Changed my mind?” “About coming in with me.” “My dear sir, I can have no mind to change until a plain proposition is laid before me.” “H-ml” Calendar puffed vigorous- ly until it occurred to him to change the subject. “You won’t mind telling me What happened to you and Dorothy ?" “Certainly not.” Calendar drew nearer, and Kirk- Wood, lowering his voice. narrated briefly the events since he had left the Pless in Dorothy’s company. Her father followed him intently, in» terrupting now and again with an ex- clamation or pertinent questionâ€"as, had Kirkwood been able to see the face of the man in No.9 Frognall street? The negative answer seemed to disconcert him. “Youngster you say? Blam’ if I can lay my mind to him! Now it that Mulready”â€" “It would have been impossible for Mulreadyâ€"whoever he isâ€"to recover and get to Craven street before we did,” Kirkwood pointed out. “Well, go on.” But when the tale was told “It’s that .scoundrel Mul- ready!” the man amt-med with heat. “It’s his hand. I know him. I might Have had sense enough to See he’d take tue'fl'nst chance to hand me theme, muss: Well, this does for hm azui right!” Calendar lowered viciously at the river. “You’ ve been blamed use tul." he told Kirkwood assertively. “11 it hadn't been for you I don’t know where I’dibe nowâ€"nor Dorothy. either" â€"-an' obvious afterthought. “There’s no particular way I can show my ap- preciatiom I suppose? Money”â€" “I've got enough to last me till I reach New Iork, thank you.” “Well. if the time ever comes just about for George B. I won’t be want- ing. I: only wish you were with us, but that's out 01' the question." “Doubtless.” “No two. ways about it. I bet any- thing you’ve got a conscience conceal- ed about your person. What! You’re an honest man, eh?” “I‘ don’t want to sound immodest." returned Kinkwood, amused. “You dorm: need to worry about that. But am honest man’s got no business in my line.” He glanced again at his watch. “0â€" that Mulready! I won- der it he-was cute enough to take an- other way.?: Or did he think-the He. cut of! abruptly, seeming depress- ed by the thought that he might have been outwitted, and, clasping hands behind his back, chewed savagely on his cigar, watching the river. Kirk- wood found himself somewhat wea- ried. The uselessness of his presence there struck him with added force. He bethought him of his midnight boat train, scheduled to leave a station miles distant in an hour and a half. If he missed it he would be stranded in a foreign land, penniless and mac: L’ICEIIY WTCHOUC intends, 5m ”0‘ ing away and all the rest of his circle: of acquaintances on the other side of. the channel. Yet he lingered in poor company, daring fate that he might- see the end of the afl‘air. Why? There was only one honest answer: to that question. He stayed on be cause of his interest in a girl whom, he had known for a matter of three- hours at most. It was insensate folly: on his part, ridiculous from any point; or view, but he made no move to go. 1 There came a sound from the- street level. Calendar held. up. a hand of warning. “Hene they come’.‘ Steady!" he said tensely. Calendar turned to the boat. “Sheer 05,” he ordered. “Drop. out of sight. I’ll whistle when I want you." . “Aye, aye, sir." The boat slipped noiselessly away with the current and in an instant was lost to sight. Calendar plucked at Kirkwood’s sleeve, drawing him into the shadow of the steps. , “E-easy,” he whispered. “And, I say, lend. me a hand, will you, it Mulreadry turns The racket drew nearer and ceased. The hush that fell thereafter seemed only accentuated by the purling of the river. It was ended by footsteps echo- ing in the covered passageway. Calen- ugly ‘2" ““611. yes," assented Kirkwood, with a nonchalance not entirely unassumed. daur craned his thick neck round the shoulder of stone, reconnoitering the landing and stairway. “Bué - m3; father?” came the girl’s voice, attuned to doubt. “Tha'nk God!” he said under his breath. “I was right, after all!” A man’s deep tones broke out above. “This way. Mind the steps. They’re a bit slippery, Miss Dorothy." They descended, the man leading. At the foot. without a glance to right or left he advanced to the edge of the stage, leaning out over the rail as it endeavoring to locate the rowboat. “But, Mr.Mu1ready”â€"- The girl’s words were drowned by a prolonged blast on the boatswain’ s whistle at her companion’ s lips. The shorter one followed in due course. “Oh. he’ll be alongâ€"i1 he isn’t wait- ing now in the boat.” 7 “But what shall we do it my father isn’t hereâ€"wait?” “No: best not toâ€"best to get on the Alethea as soon as possible, 31135-03!- CHAPTER VIII. HE slow minutes lengthened. mo» notonously. To be 60111:an 0R SALE 'ORTO' RENTâ€"Pant of 101121, con.‘ 7; Ops, just: east of town, containing about 3% acres of good land, well drained. There is on the premises a one storey frame house, good stable, driving shed; and hen cow. Good'well, 5 acre of good i bearing orchard, § acre of new straw- , berry bed. Willalso sell cheap 1 good chltivator; wagon, disk narrow. ber- gry boxes, crates, stands, etc. every- thing, necessary for: the culfivat‘ion S and growing of strawberries, also a f mare and colt. ‘Apply. on the premis- ‘or address JAS. MAKER, P. 0. box ,292.‘ LindSay, Ont. -wtf. ARM FORSALEâ€"Jmpmved; tam - of one- hundredand fifty acres, more or less, .being; composed of; the South Half of LottTwenty (as) in the Tenth and therWeat pant of Lot Twenty (20- in the eleventh Conces- sion of the: Township of Ops. This land is good clay loam, suitable for any kind of : grain, drained, and all cleared but#about:Fiiteen (15) acres of pasturage, through which there is running water. Situated three miles East of Lindsay, on good gravel road. There. is a frame dwelling. kit- chen and woodshed. Large frame barn 45x75 feet4with stone foundation and stabling forrall kinds of stock Ap- ply to MOORE JACKSON. Solici- tors,. Lindsay, Ont; or A. BLACKâ€" WELL, 1 Notre Dame Street, West, Montreal-~â€"wtf. Consxstmg of 100 acres, moreor less, barn only, known as the Wilson Farm, being Lot 1. Con. 8. Eldon, on the Town line between Mariposa. and El- don, 1 mile east of Grass-Hill; station. This Farm will be sold at a bargain on easy rms. Immediate possesion For further particulars write D“ D McEACHERN or '1‘. A YVILSON Executors of the. H. Wilson Estate Cannington, 0ntâ€"wtf. ARM FORâ€"smut 11, con. 11 Emfly;‘200-aones more or less; 140 was clauredr balsam, tamarack swamp. New frame house and frame barn 36180; Small orchard well wat- ered. 5 miles-- from: the town of Lind- say. Property oi DENNIS SCULLY, Price right fora. quick. sale. Apply to Elias Bowes, ‘Real Estate Agent, Lindsay.â€"-wtl.’ - ARM FOR SALEâ€"Lot: L5, con. 2, Fenelon, containing 93; acres, more or less, adjoining the Village c! Islay. 90 acres cleared and about 41; acres hardwood bush. New frame barn 50x65 on stone wall with firstâ€" clasa stabbing complete, cement floor. Log house, well finished; inside, partly plastered and partly boarded. School post ofice and blacksmith shop with- in a few rods of farm, 6 miles frorr Cambray station. Grass Hill and Cameron grain markets. The proper- ty. of JOHN R. COWISON. For fur- ther particulars apply to Elias Bowee Real Estate Agent-,, Lindsayâ€"wit. barn with stone stabling. 5 miles from town 01- Lindsay; the Hooey property. Terms easy: wants to sell at once. For further particulars ap- ply to ELIAS BOWES, Real Estate Agent. Lindsayâ€"Wu. There are on the premises good farm buildings 9.11:1 3. never failing snring: lane} is first-class. This property will be sold on reasonable terms. Apply ARM FOR SALEwIOO acres. east half lot 16, con. 9. Ops, all cleared, good frame house and frame OR SALE‘â€"â€"Seven roamed brick. house with 1 acre of land : hard and sdft water. Apply to Mrs. A. White, 27' Victoriaâ€"ave.. Lindsay. â€"wdtf. Live Stock Insurance I am. agent for the General Li .. Stock Insurance Co. of Montreal, and can take risks on all kinds of live animals. Dr. Broad, ofiice 46 Va‘tOv.‘f, . “‘1 improvers, also two apprentices. SU-TCLIFFE SONS.â€"â€"d3w2. For the Senior Department of Little Britain Public School. Duties to comâ€" mence on the First dav of March, 1910. ' TEACHER WANTED [ARM FOR SALEâ€"50 acres bang S. W. i of lot 9. con. 8, Ops. FARM FOR SALE ANTEDâ€"Cattle to keep for the winter, good feed and attention RED A. BIRCHABD, {494a LLLINERY IMPROVERS WA4\* TEDâ€"Two or more millinery WANTED ; -. VV. HALL. Sec’v and Treas PAGE 37