she could watch my operations."

"Not altogether curiosity--I had a scheme of my own in case you
failed," broke in Ruth.

"Well, your scheme got you into a pretty fix," retorted Little Billy.
"I was nervous because of the proximity of Carew to Ruth," he continued
to Martin, "and I straightway set out to look for her. I came abreast
the Black Cruiser just in time to see a certain young gentleman in a
gray overcoat being hustled through the saloon's side entrance, by a
group of suspiciously chunky-appearing men. I heard no outcry, but I
knew that Ruth was in Carew's toils."

"I couldn't cry out," said Ruth. "One of those yellow runts had a
jiu-jitsu hold upon my neck. My speech was paralyzed for the instant.
Indeed, I could hardly walk. They practically carried me into Carew's
presence."

"I saw you, in the hall," broke in Martin.

"I didn't see you," replied Ruth. "Indeed, I hardly recall passing
through a hall. I came to my senses when they brought me into a big,
lighted room, where Carew sat behind a table. I was--" the girl paused
uncertainly, and Martin saw her face was white and strained--"I was
frightened. There is no use my disguising the fact--that man terrifies
me. He is--he is----"

"He is a scoundrel!" exploded Captain Dabney.

"Yes, but a courageous and resourceful scoundrel," commented Little
Billy. He turned to Martin and continued: "Bob Carew is not a new
acquaintance of ours. We have had trouble with him before. He is,
er----"

"He is possessed of the idea that he loves me," Ruth quietly continued
Little Billy's stammering words. "And he is a man who acts upon his
ideas. He has made my life miserable for four years. Oh, I am afraid
of that man! He is so determined and ruthless. And I would rather be
dead than mated with that heartless wretch!"

"Aye, and I would rather see you dead," commented Captain Dabney.
"Carew's life smells to heaven. He is more odorous than those yellow
men who own him."

"If you knew the Pacific, you would know Carew," explained Little Billy
to Martin. "He is the best and least favorably known blackleg between
the two poles. He is an Englishman--the cast-off son of some noble
house, I believe. And he is a cruel, treacherous, brave, and cunning
beast! No other words fit him. Add to that a really beautiful body, a
brazen gall, and a well-bred and suave carriage, and you have Wild Bob.
He has an apt nickname--'Wild Bob.'

"The man has come throu