The Elbert County tribune., 1913-03-21
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| Ing impertinent."
~Oh, excuse mel beg your par
don. But It's 30 beastly hot and dark
In here. you know, and I've never been
seasick before"
MOI Monsieur is fortunate" The
visitor advanced a little, drew from a
recess shoe-blacking outfit, pulled
over It one of the stiff blankets from
a neighboring bunk. and sat down
rather cautiously. Little by little
James 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 meat-ax
Why. to your own kind-hearted-
ness. was a derelict and you took
me fn-saved my life. In fact; for
which l am profoundly grateful. And
/ hope my presence here Ia not too
great a burdenf"
Il am obliged to say that your pres
ence here is most unwelcome. More
over. l am aware that your previous
actions are open to suspicion, to ex-
press 1t mildly. You threw yourself
on the tug; and as this is not pleas
ure yacht. but the vessel of a high Of
fcial speeding on a most important
business matter. said to the captain,
Let him swiml Or, II he wishes to
die. why should we thwart himf But
/ r a nj taf y, ~ tha uft or fa
OF the hne. as he calls 1t, 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 muffied cry of terror, the in
ert figure being lifted over the side
Of the yacht-these things crowded on
his brain and fred him to a sudden.
unreasoning fury. He leaned over,
looking sharply into the others face.
You damned sooundrel!" he said.
choking with his anger. The blood
surged into his face and eyes; he was.
for an instant. primitive savage He
could have laid violent hands on the
other man and done him to 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:l
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. 1t
may be that l have my quixotic mo-
ments. At any rate. have a fancy to
give you gentleman's chance. Mon
sieur. regret the necessity Of being
inhospitable, but I am forced to say
that you must quit the shelter OF this
yacht within twenty-four hours.'
The thin, sarcastic voice and clean.
cut syllables famed the fame OF jim
my's rage. He felt impotent. more
over. which never serves as a poultice
to anger. But he got himself In hand,
though imitation courtesy was not
much in his line. He tuned his big
hearty voice to pitch with the
Frenchman's nasal pipe, and clipped
of his words in mimicry.
And to whom, pray. shall have
the honor to say farewell. at the au-
spicious moment when l Jump over
board?"
Gently. you American, gentiy!"
said the other. My friends, and
some OF my enemies. know me as Mon.
sieur Chatelard." AS he paused for
an impressive instant, Jim. grabbing
his blanket. stood up in derision and
executed an elaborate bow In as for
eign a manner as he could command.
Monsieur Chatelard politely waved
him down and continued:
But pray do not trouble to give me
your card! l had rather say adieu to
Monsieur the Unknown, whose daring
and temper ! sc much admire. But /
certainly misunderstood your violent
remark moment ago, did not? You
can not possibly have any ground OF
quarrel with me-"
Il thought you stole my money
belt"
Monsieur smiled and waved a depre-
catory hand. You have already dis
missed that Idea. am certain. A
money-belt. between gentlemeni More
over. you should thank me for 80
much as recognizing the gentleman in
you. since you are without the custom
ary trappings of our class"
"Oh. j don't know" said Jim. But
Monsieur Chatelard was now imper-
turbable. He continued blandly:
Since you are fond OF sea-baths.
l
you VIII no doubt enjoy q plunge-to-