Adventure, August 3, 1919 — page 83: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

—-— pe = - ; ae 9 eee 4 wanted a girl and was a big, strong, young fellow like you, I’d do more sit around—lI’d rob a bank before I’d Jet her get away from me.” “That would only get me in jail,” re- torted Williams. Silas laughed to hide his nervousness— “Would you do it if you knew you wouldn’t get caught?”’ “Vd do anything,” growled the captain. “But what’s the good of talking about it?” “Well,” Silas hesitated, then took the plunge, “well, I can show you a way to make money.” Williams was first astonished; then he was effusively grateful— | “Tf you do that, Mr. Rutherford, Pll Zz ive my life for you any time.” | & ‘Don’t want you to do that.” Silas got up, walked to the door; opened it sud- ‘denly, saw that no one was listening and went back to his desk. “Don’t want you to do that,” he cackled at the surprized captain. He stopped talking—it was a difficult job, this, even harder than he had expected. He wondered how Williams would face the Board of Trade investigation after the thing was done. Lawyers have a way of making sailors tell more than they want. He had “The fact is,’ he managed after a few minutes, “the fact is, Captaim, the Psyche has been a dead loss to me for some time.” “I’ve done my best, sir.” “Yes, yes, 1 know you have. But all _ the same, you know, I can not be expected to keep on taking losses. I’m not in busi- ness for the fun of it any more than you are. But, while you get your pay every voyage, whether the ship makes a profit or not, I don’t.” “You aren’t thinking of laying her up, are you, sir?’ The captain was naturally distressed at such a possibility. “May have to,” Silas sighed, ‘unless you can help me out.” “Me, sir? What would you suggest, sir? _ Ican not see where I can cut down expenses ee echo akiak dost ee: appeared to > eeply. then he. went to the safe and brought back the % oe policy. a 02 ; you've often thought about the i I hie jn ba by a oe a 7 ei a te : ‘ . —s := a * — Touck ne suppose that, like every other captain JSpsusance, haven't your” tered to a Spanish TMs, and with the way things are I’ve fire. Op eee to >, Ope rege \ psa » qs Ae ¢ «ty pho - the Perils 73 <a * often felt like I'd like to make a profit for you that way, sir,’ was the astounding answer. “To you mean it?” Silas almost shouted. “Why, no, of course not. I was just joking,”’ replied the somewhat shame- faced Williams. ‘You know, just as you said, nearly every skipper thinks about the insurance now and then—and wonders.” “Well,” Silas spoke very quietly now, “T am not joking—not a bit of it. i have come to the place where I don’t joke - about insurance. See here, help me to * realize on this, and I'll give you command of my best ship with increase of pay» and five hundred pounds as well.” He had said it. He had taken the leap, and now he watched the captain—who for the moment was speechless—with some apprehension. “What do you mean?” growled the cap- tain. ‘Want me to turn crook?” “You know what you just said?” “Yes, but that was in fun.” “TS IT fun about your wanting to ( DJeet married, too?” Silas grinned— the captain had given him far less trouble than he had expected. “If you won’t sink the Psyche for me, I'll get a man who will, fire you and give you no reference. Where would your marriage be then?” Where would it? The unhappy sailor could easily answer that question. And there was hardly a chance of being found Sp Wasn’t she worth taking that chance. or. “Suppose I tell the imsurance com- pany what you asked me to do?” he spoke desperately. ~ “T’ll have you arrested for criminal libel and send you to prison. You have no witness, you know. But why be foolish? Only you and me will know—and it's my ship, anyway. I'll be hanged if I can understand why you even hesitate—and a fine young lady like that waiting for you, too. And the money all’s between you.” Williams said nothing. Every cell in his great body craved the girl, and, when in such a condition, a man’s morals are smothered by very primitive emotions. And, as he had said, most sailors look upon insurance from the owners’ standpoint. “Just think,” urged Silas, “you’re char- D cargo to re. Open the sea-cocks to drown it. ot . oe a y , 4 * - ee ee ‘< comicbooks.com