The Ely miner., 1930-05-16
By WYNDHAM KARTYN
COPYRIGHT IN THE U. 8.
WNU Service


were firing his blood.
you've got to wait yourself" he
retorted. /" amt the only one"
MetZger laughed in scorn. He
pointed again to the man on the
bridge.
81 can afford to watt" he said.
There my rival stays. There he
sleeps. But you! How Sparks must
laugh at you, Sam!'
"I'll break his neck" Sam said,
licking his thick, dry lips.
''In eight days time. Do you hear
me? That is your revenge, is it, to
give him eight days down there with
her, while you wait for Costa Rica to
come in sight"
Metzger burst into peal of con-
temptuous laughter. The visions that
were summoned by the tempter's sug-
gestions awoke in Sam the desire to
kill.
1.-THE doors locked" he said. "It's
steel and hard to get through"
''Why give yourself that trouble?
The doctor there has the key in his
pocket. He'll do well enough in the
chain locker" Metzger saw that his
words had fired Sam at last. "Of
course, if you're afraid" he added,
"well, then wait till We see LimOn."
For moment Metzger feared he
was to be victim to Sans sudden
flaming anger.
afraid of what?" be snarled.
"Of the doctors pretending he
hasn't got the key"
When Sam scrambled to his feet
Metzger chuckled. His careful plans
seemed likely to work out. Metz
ger knew Sans strength and brutal
RACES. Probably the doctor had no
key; this Sam would not believe; in
evitably there would come a fight
and he did not think any man on
board had a chance against Sam. And
with the doctor remove his path
would be easier. For the moment he
concerned himself nothing with the
ultimate destiny of the vessel. Petty
cautions were nothing to him in such
moment as this.
Sam wasted no time in explanations.
Like MetZger, he had forgotten eau
ton and future dangers in his rage
and jealousy. Bettington knew the
intruder was dangerous.
"Give me the key" Sam COM
manded.
"What key?" Bettington asked.
"You know d-n well. want the
key to where the women are"
81 have no key" Bettington said.
Sam struck him across the mouth
with the back of his monstrOus hand
"You lie," he cried. "Tll have it, if
l kill you"
Then, suddenly, without any prep
aration, Bettington struggling on deck
with the enraged Sam. In nearby
chair Metzger In the moonlight
watched eagerly.
Bettington dared not allow Sam TO
get those long simian arms about him.
1t was only the doctors clever foot
work and greater speed which en-
abled him to stem those savage rushes
with continual jabs. He knew they
would not win the battle for him.
He decided to change his tactics
suddenly. There was wrestling
throw known as the "fying mare"
which he had been shown by Cornish
miner in the Klondike years before.
For its execution not only consider
able strength was needed, but accurate
timing was equally an essential. Sam
could not have weighed less than two
hundred and fifty pounds, while Bet
tington was some sixty pounds less.
The ferOcity Of Sans attacks was
astounding. When the first burst Of
the assault did not bring him victory,
the sailor, SOLDERING little under the
increasing pain &C his bruised face,
became more methodical. He saw
that he must abandon this desire to
beat Bettington to the deck with his
flying fists and get body hold.
1t was while one of his accustomed
habit channels was damned for a mo-
ment by alcohol, and he paused for
the fraction of a moment to think of
a forgotten hold, that Bettington rec
ognized his opportunity. With his
right hand he seized Sans left wrist,
swung him around little and then
grabbed the sailors right wrist while
they were back to back, and then,
with mighty strain, leaned forward
and flung him clear over his shoulder.
Sam fell with terrific violence, his
head striking rail. He lay there
mOtiOnless, his head twisted queerly
on its thick and sinewy pillar. The
fate he had promised others was his
own.
MetZger walked quickly over and
looked down at the dead man.
"He forced ii on me-" Bettington
exclaimed "You are witness Of that.
had no key"
MetZger looked at the doctor with a
singular satisfaction.
81 saw you kill Lim," said he, 'and
shall tell the others what Witnessed y
He wondered how he could turn this
W Ills OWn ASNuotohCo "
lying and suspecting others of dishon-
esty, ne did net believe Settington's
words. OF course, he had the keys
and would go below to be caressed
and praised by Evelyn Radway for his
victory The thought was unbearable
enraging.
Metzger's knife flashed out. Moth
ing should keep the key from him.
But as he raised the knife Betting.
tons fist caught him on the temple
and Knocked him down. Before ne
could regain his weapon the doctor
had tossed it into the ocean. MetZger
sat up on his launches for few sec
onds; he cursed himself for leaving
the revolver below.
Your life is worth nothing" ne
cried angrily, clambering to his feet
SgT 4