Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-27
By Louis joseph Vance
Author of"1he Brass BOwL ="
"No Mans Lana, " Etc.
would of swlpin' candy ofrn a sick kid"
CHAPTER XI.
PUNIC FAITH.


peramental repertory of Madame Savar-
an was a bewildering amenability to
reason, which she was liable to exhibit
at the least expected times, though al
ways OPPORTUNITY to her best interests.
In this instance when all present
looked to see Rhode eXcoriated and
blasted by the wrath his insolence in
vited, she chose to blink the affront and
take account only of whatever justifi-
cation he might have for his attitude.
IF" said she calmly, when he had
finished his harangue-'if you'll stop
play acting, George Rhode, and try to
conduct yourself like a rational being
for few moments. Wen consider what
you tell me. I'm not at all sure you
haven't got some justice on your side.
Let's grant il. without any more bicker-
ing, that I was a fool to bring my
Jewels aboard though l never go any
where without them, as every one
knows and then let US try to find the
best way out of a bad fix To begin
with, tell me just what you're afraid
Of"
Rhode rested his huge body Imply
against the partition and stared with
protruding eye, his jaw dropping.
IF you don't beat the Dutch !!
said he in a stunned tone.
NN0@
Of her handsome head and a bodeful
flash of eyes, don't deceive yourself;
I've an excellent memory; I sha'n't for
get your impertinence." Here the Red
Man goaned so soulfully that even the
set, disappearing lips of his mother-in-
law were seen to twitch. But want
to know what you're scared of, and
you're simply wasting time, not answer
ing me-if there is anything to be
alarmed about. You don't really mean
TO tell me you think your fellow black
guards would attempt to rob me? Not
seriously, George?"
with sulIen irony. Maybe you know
best. But I think I do. AS far as
that is. I amt got any doubt about
II, if they make up their minds the
Jobs worth while. That is, the most
of 'em. There's some I can trust
little. Crittenden, here-him and me are
about the only square men aboard the
boat"
You're embarrassing him terribly"
interposed madame.
And Youngling's all right when he's
sober" Rhode continued with dogged
shake of his head; but you can't depend
on him. And that little steward, Ack-
lin-he acts like he's on the level; 1t
the talk of the ship"
mo one else you can trust?" Critten-
den suggested. Bergen Grlscom'
Greenaway-"
NAH" snarled Rhode in disgust
"They'd be for me in any ordinary
show down, but I couldn't count on EN-
if Perez was to offer 'em a bit more for
themselves than they'd been lookin' to
get-like fat share in this Jewel loot"
Surely Senior Perez? protested
Madame Savaran in a shocked voice
"G'wan," said Rhode YEARLY. You're
losing your grip If you've been lettin'
him come the soft soap game with you.
Why, he wouldn't think anything of
dumpin' us all into the drink if he
thought he saw a chance to get away
with the bulk of the graft. He's all
there with the glad class, and every
thing like that, but show him dollar
and he'll suck eggs and hide the shells.
This being apparently the nadir of
depravity in Mr.. Rhodes data of ethics,
Perez was considered specifically defined
But Captain Lobb and Mr.. Claret-"
Madame pursued mistakenly.
You just gotta know the worst all at
once, haven't you?" inquired Rhode,
sullenly well, Lobbs one of these
Jolly tars with a wife in every port
waitin for him with an axe. He's jump
ed bail on a bigamy indictment, and
don't think the United States is liable to
be bothered with him for some years to
come. Claret's ex-frst officer of a South
Seas tramp, where HAHN s the fashion;
he's wanted for manslaughter. Thurlow
used to be the noble wireless boy on
one Of the transatlantic boats, but got
to maxim too much profit out of the
information he picked up that way
Murray's But what's the use?
None Of 'em has got anythin' on any of
the others"
"But-great heavens!" gasped ma
dame. why did you ship such a rabble?
How dared you bring us into the clutches
of such thugs?"
you can't forget that engraved in
vitation to come to our party that 1 sent
you by special messenger, can your"
countered Rhode, glumly sarcastic. 81
done the best I could; 1 had to take 'em
as they come. You can't demand ref
erences when you're signin' on men to
loot Lloyd's. Besides. Perez had to have
his say; 1 didn't dare turn down his
men,.
Nope" Rhode summed up sourly;
when you come down to cases you'll
find there's only me and Crittenden you
can tie to-"
Madame Savaran What makes you
so concerned to protest me and my
jewels. if you please?"
Rhode looked up with a stare of
establishment. Say" he expostulated
you don't seem wise to the fact that
if those pikers annex that load of junk
they're just naturally going to chuck
this job and queer the frame for all
- us. And then where'n your blessed
5000 be? And my stake? You don't
want to forget / got a few cents in
vested in this business. If l let it be
ditched, where'Il 1 get Off"
Doesn't the same argument apply to
Perez? Won't the same interest hold
him to us?'
That's what I'm rootin' for but
amt bankin' on Perez, not SOS any
body'd notice it. II I did I'd be as big
a mutt as when / give in and let you
come along to put this show on the
blink-just because you threatened to
blow if you didn't get your fool way"
We'll, you have this satisfaction,
George Rhode: for once you were right"
Shattered self-esteem favored the &C
cents of madame with a bitterness pass
ing the bitterness OF remorse. I'm an
old fool but I'm too old to change my
ways. The question is: What's to be
done? What have you to propose?'
Rhode wagged his head dismally.
There's only one sensible thing" said
he. "And I think l can see you falling
for it-not"
or I oh fn q