Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-02-06

| you to take your departure tonight.
swim back to shore the way you came.
In any case, your absence is desired.
There will be no room or provision
or water for you on board the Jeanne
DArc after tonight Is my meaning
| clear?"
Jim was watching, as well as he
could. the immobile, expressionless
lace, and did not Immediately note
that Monsieur Chatelard had drawn a
small, shiny object from his hip
pocket and was holding it carelessly
in his lap. AS his gaze focused on
the revolver, however he did the one
thing, perhaps, which at that mo
ment could have put the Frenchman
of his guard He threw his head
back and laughed aloud.
But before his laugh had time to
echo in the narrow fo'cas1e, Jim
leaped from his bunk upon his tor
mentor, like cat upon a mouse,
seized his right hand in a paralyzing
grip, and was himself thrown VIC
lently to the floor. The struggle was
brief, for the Frenchman was no
match for Jim in strength and scarce
ly superior to him in SKILL but it took
one OF Jim's wrestling feints to get
the better of his opponent. He came
out, In i've seconds, with the pistol
IN his hand. Monsieur Chatelard
Dill breathless. but not greatly discom-
posed, peered out at him from the
edge OF the opposite bunk, where he
sat uncomfortably. His cynical voice
capped the struggle like streak of
pitch.
Pray keep the weapon You are
welcome. though your methods are
somewhat surprising. Had / known
them earlier, might have offered you
my little toy"
On, don't mention it." said Jimmy.
I thought you might not be used to
firearms, that's ALL
The vanished surface of Monsieur
Chatelard's countenance gave no evil
denee OF his having heard Jims re-
mark.
Don't fancy that your abrupt move
ments have deprived me Of what au-
thority | may happen to possess on
this vessel. My request as to your fu-
ture action still stands. unless you had
rather one of my faithful men should
assist you in carrying out my pur-
pose"
Hambleton stood with legs wide
apart to keep his balance, regarding
the weapon in his hand, from which
his gaze travelled to the man on the
bunk When it came to dialogue. he
was no match for this sarcastic pur-
veyor of words. He wondered wheth-
er Monsieur Chatelard was actually as
cool as he appeared AS he stood
there, the Jeanne Dare pitched for
ward until it seemed that she could
never right herself, then slowly and la
boriously she rode the waves again.
You are more picturesque villain
tnan | thought, remarked James.
You have all the tricks of the stage
hero-secret passages, fancy weapons.
and-crowning glory-a fatal gift of
gab!"
Monsieur Chatelard arose, making
his way toward the hatch
Many thanks | can not return the
compliment in such happy choice of
English" he scoffed, but / can truth
fully say that l have rarely seen SO
striking and unique figure as now
behold; certainly never on the stage,
to which you SO politely refer"
But James was too deeply intent on
his next move to be embarrassed by
his lack of clothes Not in vain had
his gorge risen almost at first sight of
this man. He stepped quickly In front
OF Monsieur Chatelard, blocking his
exit up the ladder. while the revolver
in his hand looked straight between
the Frenchman's eyes.
Whateve- Chatelard's crimes were.
he was not coward. He did not
finch, but his eyes cleaned like cold
steel as Jim cornered him
Now" said Jim. Il have my turn"
Wrath burned in his heart
Captain Paquin! Antoine. An
toine!" called Chatelard No one an
swered the call of the master of the
ship but even as the two men meas.
uTtO Iu0lT lOFCG one against the 9TH
er, they were arrested by a commo-
ton above. Voices were heard 'shout-
ing, trampling feet we're running back
and forth over the deck, and moment
later the ships cook came tumbling
down the hatchway. screaming in
terror. He glared unheeding at the
two men, and his teeth chartered.
Fear had possession of him.
Jim lifted his revolver well ont Of
reach, and backed off from Chatelard
For the first time during the inter
view between the American and the
Frenchman. the two now faced each
other as man to man, with the mask
of their suspicious, their vanities and
their hate cast aside
What is the matter? What is this
fool saying?" Jim asked in loathing
At last Monsieur Chateiard looked
at Jim with eyes of fear. His face be-
came so pale and drawn that it re.
sembled sponge from which the last
drop of water had been pressed.
HE says the yacht il half full of