Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-08
CHAPTER X.

FTER my watch below the mex.
a morning l met Percy barrow
In many ways he is or was the
- most extraordinary of my many
acquaintance. During that first half
hours chat with him | changed my
mind at least dozen times. One mo-
ment thought him clever. the next an
utter ass; now l found him frank,
open, good companion, eager to
please, and then droop of his blond
eyeiashes, a lazy. impertinent drawl
OF his voice, a hint of half bored con-
descension IN his manner. convinced
ME that he was shy and affected. In
breath | appraised him as intellect
ual, a fool, a shallow mind. deep
schemer. an idler and an enthusiast.
One result of his spasmodic conf
dences WAS to throw a doubt upon
their accuracy. This might be what he
desired, or with equal probability it
might be the chance reflection Of a
childish and aimless amiability.
He was tall and slender and pale.
languid Of movement, languid of eye,
languid of speech. His eyes dropped,
half closed beneath blond brows. A
long wiry hand lazily twisted a rather
affected blond mustache. His voice
drawled his speech in a manner either
insufferably condescending and imper-
tinent or ineffably tired-who could
tell which?
i found him leaning against the taft
rail. his languid graceful figure sup
ported be his elbows, his chin propped
against his hand. AS approached the
pinnacle he raised his eyes and mo-
Toned me TO him. The insolence of II
was so superb that for moment I
was angry enough TO ignore him. Then
l reflected that was here not TO stand
on my personal dignity, but TO get in
formation. Joined him.
You are the matef" he drawled.
Since l am on the quarter deck"
snapped back at him.
He eyed me thoughtfully while he
rolled with one hand n corn husk Afexi.
can cigarette. J
DO you know where you are 60
ing" he inquired at length.
Depends on the moral character OF
my future actions / rejoined tartly.
He allowed a smile to break and
fade, then lighted his cigarette.
The first mate seems TO have a re-
command of language" said
be.
! did not reply.
Well. 10 tell you the truth I don't
hnow where we are going" he con.
.inued- Thought YOU might lie able
10 inform me Where did this shin
md ifs precious gang Of cutthroats
ONE from anyway"
Meaning mer
'Oh. meaning you. too. for all I
now" be shrugged YEARLY. Sndden-
= he turned to me and laid his hand
n my shoulder with one Of those sud-
len bursts o. confidence came later
q recognize aud look for. but I'm which
could never quite believe-nOr disbe-
ieve.
am eaten with curiosity" be stat
d in the least curious voice in the
rorid. 4 suppose yOu know who his
ills is:- il
DIR. Sehermerhorn. do zen mean?-
Yes Well. I've been with him ten
ears. ! an bis right hand man. All
is business Transact down TO the
st penny even order his meals.
lis discoveries have taken shape "A
y hands Suddenly he gets a freak.
r. viii 20 On = voyage wharey I
AL know in Eopd time For what
1Fp0sez Same answer. What sr-
'mmoiations shall ! eBEsges Iex
,rience the worst shOck q my life =
. viii engage them himself. what '
ientifc apparztusz Shpek No. PIE
ID attend TO that Il there anything 4
can dof What Do yOa suppose he
ysg
How shculd I knowy 1 asked b
I You sbo1H know IN he course AZ Il
telligsnt cgnversaftoz with me- hst