, 1923-04-04
CHAPTER II
Pap's Suit.

Fdpe Sult.
Radcliffe had offered to shed Pans
suit, with which Satan had provided
him, and return In his pajamas as he
had come, but Tyler vetoed the idea.
The far-seeing Satan, who had snaffled
a careen and clean up, not to speak of
a main boom INT spare canvas, out of
Thelusson, had an object in view.
ITS no trouble said he. You take
the dinghy, and we'll take the boat and
fetch he buds back. It's late In the
mornin' for you to be boarding your
ship In them colored things"
One of the big fish caught that morn
ing was dropped into the boat as q
present for the yacht"
The accommodation ladder was down
and Simmons and q quartermaster re
ceived Radcliffe. There seas no sign of
Shelton on deck, for which he was
thankful, then he Owed below to
change.
Now "Pap's" suit had been construct
ed for a man of over six feet and broad
in proportion and n man, moreover,
who liked his clothes loose and easy.
On Radcliffe they recalled the vesture
of DR.. Jekyll IN Mr.. Hyde. The saloon
door was closed. He opened 1t, and
found himself face to face with Skel.
ton, who was sitting at one end of the
saloon table reading from a book,
while Strangways the captain, Norton
the first officer, Prosser the steward,
and sundry others ranged according
to their degree sat at attention.
1t was Sunday morning. He had
forgotten that fact, and there was no
drawing back. He reached his cabin.
mumbling apologies to the dead ST.
lence which seemed crystallized round
SHELTON, closed the door, and stuffed
his head among the pillows of his
bunk to stifle his laughter, then he
undressed and dressed.
Then with the bundle of clothes
and the canvas shoes under his arm,
Radcliffe peeped into the saloon. The
service was over and the saloon was
empty. He reached the deck. 1t was
deserted save for a few hands for
ward and Simmons.
Then he came down the accommo-
dalton ladder to the stage, and hand
~ bA' - ofS " 'aAah-
A drum of white paint and a col
of spare rope were in the boat close
to Jude, and Satan was saying to
Simmons something about a spare ar.
"Well, If you haven't got one, there's
no more to be said,' finished Satan
then to Radcliffe, "See you ashore,
maybe"
Jude grinned kindly, and they
pushed off. the boat n strake lower in
the water with their loot.
The fat-faced Simmons watched
them with he appearance of a man
just released from mesmerism.
"That chap would talk the hat ofrn
ones head" said he. 'rll have HI
to pay with Norton over that paint
most likely I'll have to put my hand
in my own pocket for 1t. But he's q
decent chap, that fellow. but sharp
the way he landed me with that fish
for n bait !"
Hes all there" said Radcliffe.
"So's the boy" said Simmons.
"Come alongside after you'd gone, TO
say you were staying to breakfast
with them. Told him to mind and not
damage the paint. Let out like a
bargee at me-and Sir William Skel-
ton listening"
"Where's Sir William now, Sim.
mons? He wasn't in the saloon when
I'd finished dressing"
~ expect he's in his cabin" said
Simmons.
Radcliffe got a book and, taking his
seat under the double awning shelter.
ing the quarterback. tried to read.
Sir William SHELTON. Bart, came on
deck-a tall. thin man, clean shaved,
like n serious-mlnded butler, in o
yachting suit Of immaculate white
drill. His breeding lay chiefly In his
eyes; they were ~half-veiled by heavy
lids. He had an open mother-of-pearl'
handled penknife In his hand.
Leaning with his back against the
bulwarks, he began attending to his
left little hngernnll with the ~penknlfe.
"Ratcllffe," said SHELTON suddenly
and apparently addressing his little
finger, ~ wish you wouldn't" He
spoke mildly. in a vaguely palned
voice.
"wouldn't what7' said RatcliTe.
SHELTON had been rather hit In his
p~roprIetles by n man going of his bont
in pajamas and remaining away to
breakfast on board n thing like the
Sarah Tyler In his pajnmas; but the
real cause OF ofrense was "Pap's" suit
suddenly appearing Mt Sunday morn
ing prayers. The chief steward Ind
grinned.