The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1913-01-31
ERRXL GOHZHHN/

Monsieur takes the liberty of be.
Ing impairment"
oh. excuse mel beg your par
don. But it's SC beastly hot and dark
In here, you know. and I've never been
seasick before"
No? Monsieur Is fortunate" The
visitor advanced a little, drew from a
recess a shoe-blacking outfit, pulled
e II one Of the stiff blankets from
a neighboring bunk. and sat down
rather cautiously. Little by little
made out more Of the look of
the man. He was large and rather
blond. well-dressed. clean.shaven. He
spoke English easily. but with a for.
eign accent
Il wish To inquire to what unfor.
tunate circumstances we are indebted
for your company on the Jeanne
DArc." The voice was cool and sharp
as a meat-ax.
Why. to your own k~ind-hearted.
ness. ! vas a derelict and you took
me in-saved my life. in fact; for
which l am profoundly grateful. And
| hope my presence here IL not toe
great q burden?"
Il am obliged to say that your pres
ence here is most unwelcome. More
over. / am aware that your previous
actions are open to suspicion, to ex.
press 1t mildly. You threw yourself
of the tug: and as this is not a pleas
ure yacht. but the vessel OF a high Of
fetal speeding on a most important
business matter. l said to the captain,
Let him swim! Or, IL he wishes to
die, why should we thwart him? But
the captain referred to the etiquette
OF the line.' as he calls It, and picked
you up. So you have not me to thank
for not being among the fishes this
minute"
Jimmy pulled his blanket about and
sat up on his bunk. The sarcastic
voice stirred his bile. and suddenly
there doomed in his memory a won.
ans call for help. The hooded motor
car, the mufied cry of terror, the in
ert figure being lifted over the side
OF the y~acht--these things crowded on
his brain and fired him to a sudden.
unreasoning fury. He leaned over.
looking sharply into the others face.
You damned scoundrel!" he said.
choking with his anger. The blood
surged into his face and eyes; he was.
for an instant. a primitive savage He
could have laid violent hands on the
other man and done him t. death. in
the fashion OF the half-gods who lived
In the twilight Of history.
The visitor in the fo'cas'le exhibited
a neat row OF teeth and no resentment
whatever at Jim's remark. But a
sharp glitter shot from his eyes as he
replied suavely:
Monsieur has doubtless mistaken
this ship, and probably its master al.
so. for some other less worthy adven-
turer on the sea For that very rea.
son ! have come to set you right. II
may be that l have my Quixotic mo-
ments. At any rate. I have a fancy to
give you a ~gentleman's chance. Mon.
sieur. l regret the necessity Of being
inhospitable. but ! am forced to q
that you must quit the shelter Of this
yacht within twenty-four hours"
The thin, sarcastic voice and clean.
cut syllables famed the flame Of Jim.
my's rage. He felt impotent, more
over. which never serves as a poultice
to anger. But he got himself In hand,
imitation courtesy was not
much In his line. He tuned his big
voice to a pitch with the
Frenchman's nasal pipe. and clipped
of his words In mimicry.
And to whom. pray. shall I have
the honor to say farewell, at the au.
spicious moment when l jump over
Gently, you American, gently!"
said the other. MY friends. and
some OF my enemies. know me as Mon.
sieur Chatelard." AS he paused for
impressive instant, Jim, grabbing
his blanket, stood up in derision and
executed an elaborate bow In as for.
eign q manner as he could command.
Chatelard politely waved
down and continued:
But pray do not trouble to give me
-FOUR card! I had rather say adieu to
the Unknown. whose daring
and temper ! 90 much admire. But I
certainly misunderstood Jour violent
q moment ago. did I not? You
can not possibly have any ground OF
quarrel with me-"
II thought you stole my money.
belt"
Monsieur smiled and waved a depre-
catory hand. you have already dis.
that idea. ! am certain. A
money.belt. between gentlemen! More
you should thank me for 20
much as recognising the gentleman in
you, since you are without the custom.
Try trappings OF our class"
"Oh. I don't KNOW" said Jim. But
Chatelard was now imper-
.urbable. He continued blandly:
Since you are fond OF sea-baths.
,ou will no dosst enjoy . pluuse-to-