The evening world., 1914-01-19


raised II to Tarxan's breast ana pulled
the trigger. The hammer fell with
futile click on an empty chamber--the
ape-man's hand shot out like tho head
OF an angry python: there was a quick
wrench. aud the revolver sailed far out
across the ships rail ard dropped Into
tho Atlantic.
For a moment tho two men stood
there facing one another. Rokon had
reEained his self-possession. lie was
the flrst to speak.
Twice now has monsieur seen at 20
Interfere In matters which do not con-
Germ him. Twice has he taken II upon
himself TO humillate Nikolas Rokon.
The nrst offense was overlooked on the
assumption that monsieur acted through
ignorance. but this affair shall not be
overlooked. II monsieur does not know
who Nikolas Rokon Is. this last piece
OF effrontery will insure that mon sieur
later has good reason to remember
him."
That you are q coward and Q scoun-
drel. monsieur" replied Tarzan. 'Is all
that I care to know Of you," and he
turned to ask the girl IL the man had
hurt her. but she had disappeared.
Then, without even glance toward
Rokon and his companion, he continued
his stroll along the deck.
Tar1an could not but wonder what
manner OF conspiracy was on foot. or
what the scheme OF the two men might
be. There had been something rather
familiar about the appearance OF the
yelled woman to whose rescue he had
tust come. but as he had not seen her
face he could not be sure that he had
ever seen her before. The only thing
about her that he had particularly mo-
I'M ~
ship upon a finger Of the hand that
Rokoff had seized. and he determined
to note the fingers Of the women pas
sengers he came upon thereafter that
he might discover the identity OF her
whom Rokon was prosecuting. and
learn II the fellow had offered her fur
Their annoyance.
After dinner that evening TARTAN
strolied forward. where he remained
until after dark In conversation with
tho second officer. and when that gen.
ueman's duties called him elsewhere
Tarzsn !c!!ed .aziiy by the rail watching
the play Of the moonlight upon the gen
fly rolling waters. lie was half hid
den by q davit. 70 that two men who
approached along the deck did not see
him. and as they passed TARTAN caught
enough OF their conversation to cause
him to fall In behind them to follow
to. He had recognized the voice a. that
of Rokoff. and had seen that his COM
panion was Paulvitch.
Tarzan had overheard but Q few
words: "nAnd II she screams You may
choke her untir'- But those had
been enough to arouse the spirit OF ad-
venture within him. and so he kept the
two men In sight as they walked. briskly
now. along the deck. To the smoking
room he followed them. but they merely
halted ut the doorway long enough ap-
parently to assure themselves that one
whose whereabouts they wished 10 e.
tablish was within.
Then they proceeded directly 20 the
first.class cabins upon the promenade
deck. Here Tartan found greater diff
nculty in escaping detection. but he
managed to do SO successfully. A. they
halted before. one Of tho polished hard
wood doors, Tarzan slipped into the
shadow Of a passageway not dozen
fest from them.
To their knock woman's voice
asked In French: who 10 IT,"
b.. 1T 10 I. Olga-Nikolas." was the an
swer In Rokoff's now familiar cultural.
MAY come in!'
"Why DO you not cease prosecuting
me. Nikolas" came the voice Of the
woman from beyond the thin panel II
have never harmed you"
Come. come, Olga" urged the man.
In propitiatiry tones: II but ask half
dozen words with you. l shall not
harm you. nor shall enter your cabin.
but cannot shout my message through
the door"
Tarzan heard the catch click as 1t was
released from the inside. He stepped
out from his hiding place far enough
to sec what transpired when the door
was opened, for he could not but recall
the sinister words he had heard rev
moments before upon the deck: ANA
II she screams you may choke ner.
Rokoff was standing directly In front
of the door. Paulvitch had natteheu
himself against the paneled wall OF
the corridor beyond. Tho door opened:
Rokoff half entered the room ana $1,000
with his back against the door. speak
Ing in a low whisper to the woman.
whom Tarzan could not see. Then
TARTAN heard the wOman's voice. Ievei,
but loud enough to distinguish her
words. m
mo, Nikolas." she was saying. 1T -
useless. Threaten as YOU VIII. shah
never accede to your demands Leave
the room. please: you have no riSht
here. You promised not to enter.
VERY well. Olga. I shall not enter:
y
shall wish a thousand times that you
had done at once the favor nave
asked. In the end shall win any way:
80 you might as we'll save trouble ana
time for me. and disgrace for your -
Never, NIkolas" interrupted the
woman. and then Tarzan saw RokoH
turn and nod to Paulyitch. who sprans
quickly toward the doorway OF tne
cabin, rushing In past Rokon. VINO neIn
the door open for him. Then the latter
stepped quickly out. The door closed.
Tarzan heard the click OF the lock as
Paulvitch turned II from the INSIDE.
Rokofr remained standing before the
door, with head bent. As though 10 eaten
the words of the two within. a nasty
smile curled his bearded lip.
Tartan could hear the womsns voice
commanding the fellow to leave her
cabin. II shall send for my husband.
she cried. He will show you no
mercy"
Paulvitch's sneering laugh came
through the polished panels.
Alexis Pauivitch." came the wom-
ans voice. cold and fearless. you arc Q
coward, and when ! whisper certain
name in your ear you will think better
of your, demands upon me ana your
q W