Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-06-26
CHAPTER XVI.
NAyL ;s D.uI EIIiSon2

striving to weigh accurately MallOw's
part in a scrimmage like this. The
copra-grower assuredly would be the
last man to give a cigar to China
man. His gifts kept his coolies hop
ping about in a triangle of cuffs ana
kicks and pummelings. He had doubt
less given the cigar to another white
man likely enough, Craig, who with
reckless inebriate generosity, had in
turn presented it to the Oriental Be
sides, Mallow was rich. What step
ping-stones he had used to acquire
his initial capital were not perfectly
known; but Warrington had heard
rumors of shady transactions and pi-
ratical exploits in the pearl zone. NAL
low. rich, was Mallow disposed of, at
least logically; unless indeed it was a
bit of anticipatory reprisal That
might possibly be. A drunken Mallow
was capable of much, for all his knowl-
edge of letters of credit might neces-
sarily be primitive.
Pah! The abominable odor of fish
still clung He reached for his pipe
and lighted it, letting the smoke sink
into his beard.
Yet. Mallow was no fool. He would
scarcely take such risk for so unstable
and chancely a thing as revenge OF
this order Craig? He hadn't the
courage. Strong and muscular as he
was. he was the average type of gam
bier. courageous only when armed
with pack of cards, sitting opposite a
fool and his money. But, Craig ana
Mallow together. He shppeo
off the label. 1t was worth preserving.
With an unpleasant laugh he began
to get into his clothes. Why not? The
more he thought of it, the more he
was positive that the two had been
behind this assault. The belt would
have meant a good deal to Craig.
There were a thousand Chinese in
Singapore who would cut a mans
throat for a Straits dollar Either
Mallow or Craig had seen him count
ing the money on shipboard. 1t had
been a pastime of his to throw the
belt on the bunk blanket and play
with its Christmas blocks. He haa
spent hours gloating over the yellow
metal and crackly paper which meant
q competence for the rest of his years.
And Craig or Mallow had seen him.
He looked at his watch; quarter al
ter two. If they We're not in their
rooms he would have good grounds
for his suspicious. He stole along the
gallery and down the stairs to the or
flee lust in time to see the two enter
much the worse for drink. Mallow
was boisterous, and Craig was sullen'
The former began to argue with the
night manager. who politely shook ms
head. Mallow grew insistent but the
night manager refused to break the
rules Of the hotel Warrington infer
red that Mallow was demanding IL
quur and his Inference was correct
He moved little closer, still hidden
behind the pottcd palms.
"All right" cried Mallow. Well go
back to town for it.
I've had enough" declared Craig
sullenly.
Yah. 4 little sore. ch? Well.
can't pour it down your throat"
Lets cut out booze and play lit
tie hand or two"
Fine" Mallow slapped his thigh
rs he laughed Nice bird I'd be for
YOU to pluck. Think of something
else. You can hit me on the head
when I'm not looking and take my
money that way. What do you think
I am. anyhow? The billiard-hall isl
open"
Craig shook his head. When Mallow
was argumentativc it was no time to|
play billiards
BAH" snarled Mallow. Since you
won't drink like a man nor play bill
liards. I'm for bed And just as the fun
was beginning"
Craig nudged him warningly. NAL
low stalked away. and Craig. realizing
that the night was done followed.
Warrington had seen and heard
enough. He %as tolerahly sure. 1t
might have been out of pure deviltry
So far as Mallow was concerned; but
profits a fine pair of rogues. Neith-
"r of them should be able to draw
against the letter He would block
that game the first thing in the morn
ing. He would simply notify the local
banks and cable to RangoOn.
He eyed indeciSively the stairs and
then glanced toward the brilliant
night outside 1t would not be possi-
ble To sleep in that room again. SO he
tiptued out to the Cafe-veranda and
dropped into Il comfortable chair He
would hunt them up some time during
the day. He would ask Mallow for
fifty pounds. and he sincerely hoped
that Mallow would refuse him. For he
was grimly resolved that MallOw
should pay for those half truths, more
damning than bald lies 1t was due to
Nalluw that he was never more to see
or speak To Elsa. He emptied the ash
from his cutty which he slowed away.
The great heart ache and the great
or disillusi"n would not have fallen to
his lot had Elsa been frank in Ran
COON. had she but told him that she
was To sail on the same steamer. He
would have put over his sailing. He
would have gone his way. still believ-
ing himself To hc a Bayard a Galahad
or any other of those simple dreamerS
who put honor and chivalry above and
before all other things.
Elsa, He covered his face with his
hands and remained in that position