The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-10-03

CHAPTER XxIU-Continued
Perhaps 1t will be best" M. de
Rivarol took up a paper. Before go
ing further, j have to observe that NJ.
de Cussy has exceeded his instructions
in admitting. you to one-fifth of the
prizes TAKEN"
THAT is a matter between yourself
and NJ. de Cussy, my general"
"Oh, no. 1t is matter between my
self and YOU"
Your pardon, my general. The ar
ticles are signed. So far as we are
concerned, the matter is closed"
|. But, monde Dieu! 1t is your con-
Germ, / suppose that we cannot award
you more than one-tenth share"
You are quite certain of that, Nj.
lie Baron; that you cannot?"
II am quite certain that / will not"
"In that case" said Blood, lit but
remains for me to present my little ac-
count for our disbursement, and to fix
the sum at which we should be COM
pensated for our loss of time and de-
rangement in coming hither. That set
tied, we can part friends, M. lie Baron.
No harm has been DONE"
"What the devil do you meanT
'"Is it possible that am obscure? My
French, perhaps, is not of the purest,
but"
"Oh, your French is fluent enough
too fluent at moments, If / may permit
myself the observation. Now look you
here, M. lie Filibustier, you have ac-
cepted service of the king of France,
you and your men. The first obligation
of an officer is obedience. You are not
to conceive yourselves, as you appear
to be doing, my allies in the enterprises
have in view, but my subordinates.
In me you behold commander to lead
you, not companion or an equal"
"Oh, be sure that understand"
Captain Blood laughed. He was recov-
ering his normal self amazingly under
the inspiring stimulus of conflict. The
only thing that married his enjoyment
was the reflection that he had not
shaved. Il forget nothing. l assure
you, my general. / do not forget, for
instance, as you appear to be doing, that
the articles we signed are the condition
of our service q and the articles provide
that we receive one-fifth share. Refuse,
us that, and you cancel the articles;
cancel the articles and you cancel our
services with them. From that moment
we cease to have the honor to hold rank
in the navies of the king of France" !.
Captain Blood rose, his officers rose
with him. Captain Blood bowed.
M. lie Baron!" said he.
You shall betadvised Of my resolve"
NJ. lie Baron retorted.
That resolve. proved to Captain
Blood's way next official business
brought these two together. Wolver-
stone was the cause of Captain Blood
hunting audience with the admiral
while he sat at dinner. The Old Wolf
had retorted with his ready fist mock
ing Frenchman's remarks and had been
flung in Jail. NJ. de Rivarol babe his
visitor be admitted.
There entered now into his presence
a spruce and modish gentleman, dressed
with care and, somber richness in black
and silver, his swarthy, clear-cut face
scrupulOusly shaver, his long black
hair in ringlets that fell to collar of
fine point. In his right hand the gent
leman carried q broad black hat with
scarlet ostrich plume, in his left hand
an ebony cane. His stockings were of
silk, bunch of ribbons masked his
garters and the black rosettes on his
shoes were finely edged with gold.
''Your people have arrested the wrong
man, M. de Rivarol," Captain Blood be-
gan. Instead Of the French officer,
who used the grossest provocation they
have arrested Captain Wolverstone. 1t
is matter WHICH beg you to reverse
without delay"
"Sir, you-you are insolent! But of
insolence that is intolerable !"
IN. lie Baron, you waste words. JUS
tice is justice in the New World as in
the Old. That justice l invite you,
with submission, to administer"
with submission?" snorted the
baron in furious scorn.
AT the same time 1 will remind NJ.
lie Baron that my buccaneers number
500; your troops 500; and NJ. de Cussy
will inform you of the interesting fact
that any one buccaneer is equal in &C.
ton to at least three soldiers of the
line" ~
"You will do me the favor to wait
in the ante-rOom, NJ. lie Captaine. de-
sire a word with M. de Cussy."
When the door had closed, the baron
he oy.o 80 kha vrofnas;opol man vrhn