The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-06-24
discharged poisonous BIT Of inso-
lence and retired to his berth, leaving
Kirkwood to finish his breakfast In
na,,,sa
CHAPTER XVIII.

ureheuins OF spray anu was gluO 10
dodge below and dry himself.
He had the pleasure of the mates
company at dinner, the captain re-
manning on deck until Hobbs had fin
ished and gone up to relieve him. and
by that time Kirkwood was through.
Stryker blew down with a blustery
show Of cheer. "Well. well. my little
man" ut happened that he topped
Klrkwood's stature by at least FIVE
inches.l "Enj'yin' yer sea trip?"
about as much as you'd expect"
snapped Kirkwood.
.0w" The captain began to shovel
food into his face. Kirkwood watched
him. fascinated with suspense II
seemed impossible that the man could
continue so to employ his knife with
out cutting his throat from the inside.
But years Of such manipulation had
made him expert. and his guest. keen
ly disappointed. at length ceased to
hope
Between gobbles stryker eyed him
furtively.
Treat me all rightY' be demanded
abruptly.
Kirkwood started out Of brown
study. what? Who. Why. sup
pose ought to be-indeed. am CRATE
full" he asserted. Certainly you
saved my life. and
low. don't mean that" Stryker
gathered the imputation Into his paw
and flung IL disdainfully to the four
winds Of heaven. BLESS yer art.
you're welcome. wouldn't let no
dorg drownd 4 could 'elp 1t. No."
he declared. NOR loonatic. neither"
He thrust his plate away and shifted
sidewise In his chair. Il 'uz just won
derin'." he pursued. picking his teeth
meditatively with penknife. low
they feeds you In them as-ylums. Alvin
never been inside one myself. It's on'y
natural I'd be Gurus. There was one
Of them instructions near where was
borned-B Birmingham. that Is. used
to see the loonies playin' In the
grounds. remember just as we'll.
One OF 'em an me struck up quite an
acquaintance"-
Naturally he'd take TO you on
sight,
low. Strynge 'ow we II II OF.
eigh7 You myke me think of I'm.
Young chap e was. the Twin SPIT an
himage Of you. II don't happen. does
Il. you're the same MANI He was
ailus plannin' to run awe an drownd
'isself.'
lie wore the joke threadbare even TO
his own taste and In the end got
heavily 10 his feet. starting for the
companionway. Land you fhis nrtei
noon," he remarked casually. come
3 O'Clock or therabahts-per'aps later
I don't know. though. as I 'ad ought
10 let you loose"
KIrkwood made no answer. Chuc
Killing, Stryker went on deck.
In the course Of an hour the Amer.
tcan followed him The Aiethea was
within the wide jaws Of the western
scheldt. kirkwood approached the
captain, who. acting as his own pilot.
was standing By the wheel and bark.
ing sharp orders to the helmsman.
Have you Bradshaw on boards r
asked the young man.
Steady This to the man az the
wheel. then TO Kirkwood. .wot's that
me ludy'
Kirkwood repeated his question
stryker eyed him snspIciously for q
thought.
.wot d. you want II forf'
II want TO see when can get Q
boat back 20 England"
Hmm. Yes. you'll find Bradshaw
IN the port locker. near the for'art
bulkhead. Run along now an ply
an mind you don't 20 tearin' out th'
pyges TO myke pyper boatses TO 81
syiIn' In"
Kirkwood went below. found Oh,
designated locker and. opening Il. saw
FIRST to his hand the familiar bulky red
volume.
The strap removed. the book opened
easily. as If by force Of habit. NJ th,
precise table he had wished to consult
Some previous client had left market
between the pagcs-and not an or
binary bookmark by any manner oI
means. Kirkwood gave utterance 20 Z
little gasp Of amazement and instinc
lively glanced up nj the companion
way 20 see II he were observed.
lie was not. but for safety's sake NJ
mored farther back into the cabii
aLd out Of the range OF vision Of an
one on dcck-a precautlon which wn
almost Immediately justified By tn
dumping Of heavy feet upon the step
as stryker descended In pursuit Of tn
ever essential drink.
"Find itY be demanded, starin,
bIindly with eyes not yet focused d
the change from light 90 gloom nj IN
young man. who was sitting with IN
guide open on bis knees. n Tight.
clinrbed flst resting ON the trnnsom n
either side Of him.
10 reply be received n monosyllabi
affirmative. Kirkwood did not look "
..you must be a howl. commente
the captain. making for the seductiv
locker.
whatr'
"a howl. readin' that flne print Their
In the dark. Wy don't you go owe
10 the IIuIf1 Ill ave 10 .nrn fher