The Spectator., 1915-04-16

me. I'd like to see him flat, beaten, down and out for good. I'd like to see him lose that windfall, every cent of 1t. But don't want to get in his way just now"
 Rot! Don't you worry; no beach, comber like that can stand up long in front of me. He threatened on board that he was going to collect that fifty pounds. He hasn't been very spry about it."
 q should like to be with you when you meet"
 Mallow grinned. Not above seeing pal get walloped. eh? We'll, you get ringside ticket. It'll be worth it."
 T don't want to see you get licked" denied Craig irritably. "All I ask is that you shelve some of your cock sureness. I'm not so dead broke that I must swallow all of it. I've warned you that he is strong man. He used to be one of the best college athletes in America"
 "College!" exploded Mallow. What the devil does college athlete know about a dock-fight?"
 Ever see a game of football?"
 "No."
 Well, take it from me that it's the toughest game going. It's a game where you put your boot in mans face when he's not looking. Mallow, they kill each other in that game. And Ellison was one of the best, fifteen years ago. He used to wade through ton of solid, scrapping, plunging flesh. And nine times out of ten he used to get through. I want you to beat him up, and it's because l do that I'm warning you not to underesti- mate him. On shipboard he handled me as you would bag of salt; damn him! He's surprise to me. He looks as if he had lived clean out here. There's no booze sign hanging out on him, like there is on you and me-"
 Booze never hurt me any"
 You're galvanized inside" said Craig, staring again at Elsa. He wished he knew how to hurt her, too. the stars.
 How would you like to put one over on this chap Ellison?"
 "In what way?"
 Mallow smoked for a moment, then touched his breast pocket significantly.
 Not for mine." returned Craig. Cards are my long suit I'm no sec ond-story man. not yet"
 T know. But supposing you could get it without risk?"
 "In the first place, the bulk of his cash is tied up in letters of credit"
 "Ah, you know that?"
 What good would it do to pinch those? In Europe there would be some chance. but not here where boats are two weeks apart. A cable to Ran- goon would shut off all drawing. He could have others made out. In cash he may have a few hundreds"
 All gamblers are more or less vel low" sneered Mallow. "The streak in you is pretty wide. tell you. you needn't risk your skin. Are you game to put one over that will cost him lot of worry and trouble?"
 SO iOllS dS I Sdu otdhu outoiuc thc ropes and look on"
 He has a thousand pounds in his belt No matter how l found out. How'd you like to put your hand on it if you were sure it would not burn your fingers?"
 I'd like to, all right. But it's got to be mighty certain. And the belt must be handed to me by someone else. I've half a wonder If you're not aiming to get rid of me-" with an evil glance at his tempter
 If wanted to get rid of you. this'd shutting his powerful hands. I'm just hungering for bit of lark. Come on. A thousand pounds for taking little rickshaw ride. Ever hear of wong's? Opium. pearls. oils and shark fins?"
 No"
 Not many do. know Singapore like the lines on my hands. Wong is the shrewdest. most lawless China man this side of Canton and Macao. Pipes. pearls and shark fins. Big money. Wong's the man to go to. Want schooner rigged out for illicit shell hunting? Want a man shang. haied? Want him written down miss. ing? Co to Wong"
 See here, Mallow: I don't mind his being beaten up; but what you say doesn't sound good"
 You fool. don't want him out Of the way. Why should I? But there's that thousand for you and worry for him. All aboard!"
 You don't love Parrot & Go. any more than I do.'
 No. I'd sleep better O nights if I | knew be was broken for keeps. Too | much red tape to put the United | States after him. How'd you rig him?"
 Faro and roulette. They never didn't have anything against | him until he ran into me at Rangoon. But he's stepped in too many times