The Argosy, August 1905 — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

‘> ea i e him hanged first!” declared Tarr with emphasis. ‘“ When the doc- tor comes up to look after my cousin I'll eall on the captain. But not before.” “Sir! sir!” gasped Brier. But the passenger turned on his heel and went back into the room. Mr. Brier had been routed out of his early morning nap (it was his watch be- low) to bring Tarr into the captain’s presence. He knew better than to ap- pear before Captain Holds without him. But, having had a chance to cool a little, he favored accomplishing his ends without further trouble with the obsti- nate passenger. So down he trotted to the surgeon, and in a little while Dr. Meachem entered the besieged cabin. “Great Scott!” he said, “you'll get yourself into serious trouble, sir. Vl stay with the patient—how is he this morning ?—while you go down and see the eaptain.” *“ Well, I don’t know whether I will or not,” said Tarr. “Come, come, Mr. Tarr! ” advised the physician. “ Don’t get into unnecessary trouble. Don’t make matters worse than they are.” Tarr wondered what he meant by this, but although tempted to ask him, he would not do so, finally putting on his hat and raincoat and stepping out upon the deck. Mr. Brier was waiting for him and favored the obstinate passenger with no cheerful face. “Oh, come along!” exclaimed Tarr in disgust. “ You’re,here to take me to the captain, I suppose. But I’d like to know what these actions mean.” Brier grunted and went ahead, rap- ping at the door of the captain’s private suite of rooms. When he got an an- ewer from the commander he opened the door, motioned the passenger inside and shut the door quickly, remaining outside himself. Captain Holds, in a rather undress uniform of peajacket over his pajamas, and a steamer rug wrapped loosely about his legs, was seated at the table in the chart room. He wore a white nighteap, too, which made his face seem redder than usual. “ Well, young man, you've taken your time in coming here! ” he exclaimed. | DOWNING THE KING-PIN. ‘ a, ~ ad SP J “T usually do,’ returned Tarr. What do you want of me? LTamnot used to having the captains of third- rate steamers like the Yantic play the grand mogul with me. What is your meaning, any way?” “Look here, sir ig “ And you listen to me!” cried Tarr angrily. “You insulted me yesterday on your bridge. Let me tell you that the officials of the Blue Crescent Line will be held accountable for your ac- tions. _“ And ordering me, through a subor- dinate, to your cabin is not one of the least things for which you will have to answer.” Tiolds looked at him from under his shaggy gray brows. “ T don’t know whether you are a fool or a knave, young man,” he growled. “And I am quite convinced in my mind which you are,” Tarr said, with blazing eyes. “In addition, I wish to know at once why you cailed me here. J am in no mood for conversation with you, Captain Holds. Be quick, please.” The commander of the Yantic looked for a moment as though his temper would burst all bounds of control, but finally he gulped down his choler and suddenly spread a sheet of paper on the table between himself and the passen- rer. “ See here,” he growled; “ here’s an- other message. We just received it from the Peruvian Monarch, which passed us somewhere to the north’ard an hour or more ago.” “Of what interest is it to me?” de- manded Tarr coolly. “It’s addressed to you, young man,” was the captain’s surprising statement. “A wireless telegram to me!” ex- claimed Tarr, and seized the paper in vast amazement. The reading of the message did not serve to decrease his wonderment. Mr. Horace Tarr, Str. Yantio, Buve Crescent Linr.—Transmitted for B. Bur- gess, Yet. Babbler, by Peruvian Monarch, of the Green Star Line: Your trank on Yantie by mistake. Open it at once. Matter of life or death. Very likely Tarr read these lines over at least ten times, and the tenth time he