Argosy All-Story Weekly — "Sea Marauders" — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

Cg Oe ee en Re Se yn dy pe gen ee een ae THE SCANDAL ON KITIKAT KEY, “Then let’s uncrate them. Where are the crates and where is a hammer ?”’ “Listen,” said Gerald, “there isn’t the least hurry to start this law busi- ness, I have all winter to study those darned books. Tl tell you what let’s do, Susan. You don’t mind if I call you Susan, do you, Miss Finch?” “No, Gerald.” “Well, Susan, let’s get out the cat- boat and sail to a spot I know about two miles from here where there is a ledge under which the succulent Florida lobster holds forth. We will spear us some lobster and have them for din- ner.” “No, Gerald,” said the girl, firmly. ** Listen, Sue, there is all winter to study law,” he pleaded. “ Just look at this beautiful, glorious day going to waste. And here we are—just you and I, all alone, with this glorious day ahead of us. Besides, I don’t feel much like working. I didn’t sleep well last night, and I have a little headache. By the way, did you ever see my speed boat? It will go faster than forty-five miles an hour—” “TLet’s uncrate the law _ books,” Susan checked his eloquence. Gerald looked at that sweet, beauti- ful face. Something within him told him that this girl was going to have her way; that excuses and suggestions were of no avail. Bravely he straight- ened his shoulders. Presently they were in the woodshed, where Gerry had had the crates care- fully stowed, and, hammer in hand, he was knocking off their lids. Then, each with an armful of dull, dreary looking tomes they repaired to the veranda. They seated themselves knee to knee, and Susan opened the first book. It dealt with Admiralty law. “T think this will be fascinating,” said Susan as she thumbed through the pages. Gerry’s groan was a silent one. He said, brightly : “Tt’s going to be an awful bore for you. Don’t you honestly think it would be fun to walk down to Settlement - 5 = POPE > pete oe 2 ee, Se oe, te - if . = - 2 . x 7 os oe ee ee, ee oy eee eS ee ee 507 Point and look the villagers over? It’s a nice walk through all those palms.”’ “ Later,” said Susan. “TI studied a little law in school. I’m quite as eager to know more about it as you are. Sup- posing we read aloud to each other ?”’ They read aloud to each other. They read aloud until almost eleven o'clock, or until Gerald’s brain was weary. Then Susan shut the book and re- marked: “You're lazy, aren’t you?” és Am Ee: “You are. Your brain is flittering all over the compass. Now let me ques- tion you on this morning’s lesson. What would be the status of a murderer on a ship that was sailing on her course one- tenth mile beyond the three-mile limit of Nicaragua?” “He would probably be given a cap- taincy in the Nicaraguan standing army,’ Gerald replied. Susan appeared to be provoked. “Kindly tell me what the book said on that point.” “TIT don’t remember,”’ fessed. “Tt’s just as I thought,” Gerald con- said Susan. * Your mind isn’t on this work. This- afternoon we will start in again. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself ?”’ “Let's take a walk,” said Gerald dismally. They strolled along the beach under the palms to the picturesque, palm-bow- ered little cluster of whitewashed huts of which Settlement Point consisted. Through the trees and beyond the houses the blue Atlantic glimmered. Faces appeared at doorways and windows and withdrew. More faces appeared. It did not occur to Gerry to wonder at this unusual activity, or, if it did, he put it down to the appearance of Susan, who was pretty enough to excite any community. There was a small crowd of darkly tanned fishermen and their wives in McArthur’s commissary when Gerald and Susan went in. He purchased a package of cigarettes, and Bull Mc- ea Ste HehOOk Ss, =com a er ee oe ae Sore aes “ Sa a ee