The Washington herald., 1908-06-07
CHAPTER XIII.


fidelity. The creation OF vice was more
fascinating to Vandraken's mistress than
her personal interest in it. AS some
women's attitude TO love consists in low
Ing It more than their lovers. so was the
Cobra's attitude toward evil II had been
no trouble 20 her 20 extract from Van
draken the secret OF his ability to lead
the life he was living without showing
any trace.
When Vandraken. in the transports OF
their first intimacy. had sworn constancy,
she only laughed at him. so long as
you worship my gods" she insisted, Il
care not who is In the temple. No! But
tell you what to me is infidelity: when
you forsake me and my kind for la
femme mere-what you call the good
woman. Then I become Jealous, and
when I become jealous Vandraken
did not happen TO see her eyes as she
said IT., or he would have shuddered. In
stead. he laughed and she repeated.
dreamily: Yes, you will see something
when I become jealous"
They had lived in Paris for going on
two years, with occasional visits to other
America against Vandraken still smol-
dered. blazing up spesmodically when the
papers ran out OF other fuel But il the
newspapers occasionally forgot the prod
igal, Bulpitt and his friends never did;
the danger was too Obvious to them. Ex-
element woke afresh when the young
millionaire bought the Barbaric, an ocean
liner. for a yacht, and Il became known
that he and a few kindred spirits. who
had become satiated with what Europe
had to offer them, were going to cruise in
Oriental waters, stage-managed by the
notorious Venestra. Reporters had tried
TO get on board in the guise of sailors or
stewards but had been thwarted. so
their imaginations had to supply the
salacious descriptions which sold papers
so gayly for awhile. However, IL IS I'M
likely that the picture. however lurid.
was 0verdrawn.
The Barbaric Cor the "Erotic," as the
newspapers nicknamed herr had been
cruising for two months. putting in at
every place. from ConstantinopIe to Port
Said. where there was any prospect OF
amusement, then back along the African
shore. till they reached Tangier
Nandraken was alone In his own cabin
the night after their arrival, being tenn
porarily weary Of the forced hilarity Of
bis companions. when his valet entered.
looking rather flustered. beg pardon.
sir. but there's a party climbed aboard
from shore boat who insists on seeing
you, sir, and 1 don't like HIS looks.
Dressed Ike one of them niggers ashore
he Is. but says Re was at some college
with you. and II don't bring him right
in he says he'll throw me overheard; and
he's that violent believe he'd do it."
What's his name?" asked Yandraken.
He says It's DashmOre.'
"By gad. I'll bet that's who II IS,
That's Just the way old Slap Dash would
come aboard. Show the gentleman in.
Hawkins"
The valet returned in a minute. and
announced. as formally as though Il was
a London reception: Mr.. Sleyton Dash
more"
Vandraken rose to his feet and held out
his hand TO what was. apparently, q dis
reputable-looking Moor. why, Slap
Dash. old man. this beats cock-hghting!
am glad TO see you!"
Dashmore put his hands behind his
burnouse.
about you is true, Vandraken." he said
sternly, L don't shake hands with you.
TX the other half is true, it's as much as
l can do TO keep from killing you, for
the honor Of Harvard
Nandraken flushed as red as his pink
complexion would allow, and came a step
forward. IF that's the way you feel
about it," he said, angrily. what the
HI are you doing on my yacht? And
you're a nice one 10 talk about the honor
OF the college-you that got hcofed out
OF IT,"
IF there was a white man about who
could do what's got TO be done. you can
bet 1 wouldn't be on board this floating
cess-pool, even II ! was kicked out OF
Harvard! But three ladies-and one IS
an American-have been captured to-day
by that unprincipled scoundrel. Muley
Zidan. and there's not a war ship in the
harbor: and II there was. the Mayhem
has got the powers so tangled up thew
wouldn't act, for fear of precipitating n
European war. As for the authorities. the
chances are they're in cahoots with Mu-
ley; so it's got to be a private enterprise
this rescue. You can't trust Muley
Zldan IN the matter Of ransom. I want
10 borrow some of your crew and some
arms. / figure Il out that, low rs you
I'll arrange all that, Mr.. Dashmore -
answered Vandraken. coldly; but you've
got another fight on your hands first
You've said things to me that 1 take on
no man, You wouldn't take my hand
Well-theres my fistr and he hit out
straight from the shoulder. a blow which
would have landed very hard on the 9th
er mans chin, II he had not parted 1T
scientifically.
Dashmore was about two years older
than his adversary, very dark and lean.
with high cheek-bOnes. fiat precipitous
cheeks, and reckless eyes. He laughed
delightedly when Yandraken struck at
him.
why. that's not so bad" he said
keeping his guard up. but making no at
tempt 70 hit back Il didn't think you'd
have it in you, after the life you've been
leading; but, come 10 look at you. you
appear to be as fresh as a rose Not a
bit as II you had been wallowinR like
a hog in summer He parted another
furious blow. 'If ! have wronEed you.
Vandraken, l am willing 10 apologize:
but there has been very ugly talk about
the life you have been leading. I'm not
saint au oOntraire, . but there's a line
somewhere, and you haven't taken the
trouble to deny having crossed It. But
now that I see you. I am willing 10 be-
lieve you have been slandered. II you
are willing to say that you haven't lived
below the standard we used to talk
about-that the fraternity has no need
TO be ashamed OF you--rm man enough
10 apologize. I didn't take a good look
at you when I came in
Vandraken dropped his hands He had
no conscience to guide him. but his brain
took him back 10 the fraternity room at
Harvard and his oath OK initiation. He
suddenly saw himself. not through the
conscience he had got rid Of. but through
the eyes OF other mems consciences; not