received sufficient provocation to excuse even such extreme measures and that the fate he will if summary at least be richly deserved i so too said though it would be painful to be compelled to witness it terrible agreed miss let us hide our eyes dear stay alfred miss implored have some pity think � with all your faults you are a keen � you would not shoot even a rabbit sitting give mr a start of a few seconds � let him have a run before you fire all this time alfred was still for and the obstinate weapon i decline to run peter cried from his seat he knew too well that he could not stir a limb shoot me sitting or not at all but don t keep me waiting any longer i his prayer seemed likely to be granted for alfred had at last succeeded in the revolver but before he could take aim the bank manager and the man ran in and interposed hold on one minute sir they said we too have business with the gentleman on the seat there and you will admit that it must be concluded before yours if it is to be settled at all we must really ask you to your little we have finished we will not keep you waiting any longer than we can help the judge with an indifference had strolled away to the smoking room probably to avoid being called upon to decide so nice a point as this disputed his daughter miss and had turned their backs and stopping their ears were begging to be told when all was over alfred was struggling to free his pistol arm which was firmly held by the other two men and all three were talking at once in hot and � support of their claims as for peter he sat and looked on to his seat by terror if he had any preference among the he rather hoped that alfred would be the person to gain his point all at once he saw turn round and with her fingers still pressed to her ears make energetic of her lips evidently for his benefit after one or two he made out the words she was for it he interpreted quick you with his habitual respect for her advice he rose and finding that the power of motion had suddenly returned he did run for it he slipped quietly round the comer and down the passage to the other side of the ship where he hoped to reach the saloon entrance and eventually regain his cabin unhappily for him the grim lady from had noted his flight and anticipated its object long before he got to the open doors he saw her step out and bar the way she had an open in her hand which she was preparing to use as a butterfly net lie turned and fled abruptly in the opposite direction intending to cross the bridge which led aft to the second class saloon deck where he might find cover but as he saw on turning the corner the manager had already occupied the passage peter turned again and doubled back across the ship making for the but he was too late for the man was there before him and cut off all hope of retreat in that quarter there was only one thing left now he must take to the and accordingly the next moment scarcely knowing how he came there he was up the for dear life i higher and higher he climbed slipping and stumbling and catching his feet in the at every step and all the way he had a dismal conviction that as yet he had not nearly exhausted the check he had drawn he must have at least another couple of hours to get through not to mention the compound interest which the bank seemed enough to be paying first still if he could only stay quietly up aloft till his time was up he might escape the worst b � l e ne yet surely it was a sufficient penalty for his folly to have himself wi every creature he knew to have been about the deck of an ocean steamer by three violent men each for his blood and to be reduced to mount the like an escaped monkey a few more steps and he was safe at last just above was a huge yard on the upper surface with a partially sail behind which he could unseen his hands were almost upon it when a and bearded face appeared above the canvas � it was one of the english crew beg your pardon sir said the man enough but i shall ave fur to trouble you to go down please in s orders sir passengers ain t allowed to amuse climbing the my good man i said peter between his do i as if i was amusing myself i am pursued i tell you as an honest british seaman � which i am sure you are � i entreat you to give me a hand up and hide me it � it may be life or death for me � the man wavered the desperate plight peter was in seemed to arouse his compassion as it well might i could yer i suppose come to that he said slowly but it s too late to think o that now look below sir peter glanced down between his feet and saw two climbing the like cats lower still he had a bird s eye view of the deck about which his enemies were posted in readiness for his arrival the manager exhibiting liis boots to sir william who shook his head in mild the old lady shaking her in angry while her brother flourished his and alfred stood covering him with his revolver prepared to pick him off the instant he came within range and peter hung there 