The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-11-11
CHAPTER XVII.

To his own advantage Coast was
gifted with the ability to recognize
the irremediabIe and concede IL as
such. With quiet resolution be Gained
| himself at that moment when he was
| cold with despair, thrilled with appre-
| hension, hot with anger, trembling
| with humiliation, and powerless in the
| grasp Of one to whom his most de-
| termined struggles were as impotent
as the writhing Of the butterfly whose
| wings you imprison between thumb
| and forefinger. The arms of the big
| Chinaman wound round him were as
sinewy and long as those Of a gorilla,
| as strong as bands Of steel; he could
as readily break their embrace as he
| could summon a jinnee to his aid by
twisting the ring upon his finger.
He schooled himself to resignation.
Very we'll he said in a passionless
| voice. you've got your own way OF
making a civil request, and | don't
pretend to like 1t; but I'll be grateful If
you'll instruct this Chinese giant to let
me co.
What! are you there, Change"
Blackstock's stimulation OF surprise
was admira o.e-if 1t were stimulation.
You may release Mr.. Handyside," he
continued; he has promised to be
good"
Without a word the Chinaman
dropped his arms and stepped aside.
His face, when Coast saw it, was as
stolid as always; only the yellow eyes,
glinting like a cats through their
heavy, half-closed lids, seemed to hold
hint of derision.
Coast lifted his shoulders in a shrug
not of bravado but of endurance,
turned to the tool bench by the motor
and replaced the wrench. His
thoughts were all confusion; again an
incident Knocked him with hidden
meaning. What was he to understand
that Blackstock recognized his voice
and knew him for himself, Garrett
Coast? That he suspected him of be-
ing another than Handyside-a spy OF
the Treasury Department, in short
and had determined to disarm him as
a matter of common precaution. sus
pending sentence until he had deter
mined precisely who he was?
You're wondering" said Black
stock, why l didn't demand this gur
before taking 1t by force. Arenr
your"
Il am" Coast assented bluntly.
For one reason, because l wouldn
We got 1t. Would II"
Certainly not What right"
). "One moment: m coming to that.
1 Blackstock smiled his secret smile
weighing the weapon refectively be
fore bestowing 1t securely in a hip
pocket. 1T was a matter of discipline
morale Is the better word. Yol
, had to be made to understand that OF
this island I am dictator, my word law
my wishes laws equivalent. Your
personal independence doesn't amour
to a row of tacks, SO longs your
on No Mans Land; I'm boss, ant
you've got to come to me. | don't al
low anybody but myself to tote guI
here, and since l knew you'd refuse {
request, took this spectacular mean:
of making our relations clear as day
light The main trouble with Powe
was his exaggerated conception of tn.
Importance Of his blessed ego; whel
gave him practical demonstration
of its relative insignificance In thu
cosmic scheme. he got peevish. Don
you make the same mistake"
I'm surprised" retorted Coast. de
liberately offensive, that Power didn'
beg to be allowed to stay and licl
your boots"
That" said Blackstock, with al
open grin, sounds suspiciously like
mutiny, Mr.. Handyside."
Call it any name you like. Pos
{ sibly you may find somebody Il
T knuckle under to such treatment TO
the privilege of earning a bare LIVING
1 on this God-forsaken island but
81 Well, 1t wasn't Power and it won
I be me. I've had enough of you ant
Z I'm finished. Get Voohhis to send yol
\ another man as soon as you like:
1 leave, the first chance that turns up.
Ei Then the sooner you get that mo
tor running, the quicker you'll b