The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-01-01

his way toward the hatch.
MANY thanks. l can not return the
compliment in such happy choice of
English" he scoffed, "but can truth.
fully say that / 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 i'm 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.
Whatever Chatelard's crimes were
he was not a coward. He did not
ninch, 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
ured their force one against the 9TH
er, they were arrested by a commo-
ton above. Voices were heard shout
ing, trampling feet were 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 we'll out 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 Chatelard 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 is half full of
water-that she is sinking" the
Frenchman said.
Sinking" echoed Jim, bearing
down again, with lowered revolver, on
his enemy. well and good! You're
going to be drowned, not shot, after
all! And now you shall speak, you
scamp! Your games up, whatever
Happens. Get up and lead the way,
quick, and show me in what part of
this Internal boat you are hiding
Agatha Redmond"
Chatelard started toward the hatch
way, followed sharply by Jim's revolt
yer, but at the foot of the ladder he
turned his contemptuous, sneering
face toward Jim, with the remark:
Your words are the words of a fool.
you pig of an American! There is no
lady aboard this yacht. and / never
SO much as heard of your Agatha Red
mond. Otherwise, be pleased to play
Mercury to your Venus"
To Jim's ears, every syllable the
Frenchman spoke was an insult, and
WOiuo AChihuiCu tuc HI6 III ulb DlOOu.
"You shall pay for that speech here
and now!" he yelled; and. discarding
his revolver, he dealt the Frenchman
short-arm blow. Chatelard, trying
to dodge, tripped over the base of the
ladder and went down heavily on the
floor of the fo'cas'le. He had appar-
emily lost consciousness.
AS Jim saw his victim stretched on
the floor. he turned away with loath-
ing. He picked up his revolver and
went up the ladder. 1t was already
dark. and confusion reigned on deck
But through the clamor, Jim made out
something near the truth; the Jeanne
dare was leaking badly, and no time
was to be lost II she. with her pas
sengers and crew, were to be saved.