roud of it.
You're stabbed to the hilt! Why should I be expected to pay the debts of
your steamer?"

"But you used all the materials placed aboard her for your own use and
benefit."

"That, Mr. Ricks, constitutes my profit," Matt retorted pleasantly. "She
had fuel oil aboard when she was turned back on me sufficient to last
her to Panama and return--she had engine supplies, gear, beef in the
refrigerator, provisions in the storeroom, and clean laundry in the
linen lockers; in fact, I never went to sea in command of a ship that
was better found."

"Matt Peasley," said Cappy solemnly, "you think this is funny; but it
isn't. You do not realize what you are doing. Why, this action of yours
will be construed as highway robbery and no man on the Street will trust
you. You must think of your future in business. If this leaks out nobody
will ever extend you any credit--"

"I should worry about credit when I have the cash!" Matt retorted. "I'm
absolutely within the law, and this whole affair is my picnic and your
funeral. Moreover, I dare you to give me permission to circulate this
story up and down California Street! Yes, sir, I dare you--and you
aren't game! Why, everybody would be cheering for me and laughing
at you, and you'd get about as much sympathy as a rich relative with
arterial sclerosis. I haven't any sympathy for you, Mr. Ricks. You got
me into this whole mess when a kind word from you would have kept me out
of it. But, no; you wouldn't extend me that kind word. You wanted to see
me get tangled up and go broke; and when you thought I was a dead one
you made fun of me and rejoiced in my wretchedness, and did everything
you could to put me down and out, just so you could say: 'Well, I
warned you, Matt; but you would go to it. You have nobody to blame but
yourself.'

"Of course I realize that you didn't want to make any money out of
me; but you did want to manhandle me, Mr. Ricks, just as a sporting
proposition. Besides, you tried to double-cross me with that wireless
message. I knew what you were up to. You thought you had pulled the same
stunt on me I pulled on you, and that letter to Captain Grant contained
full instructions. However, you wanted to be so slick about it you
wouldn't get caught with your fingers in the jam; so you forbore to
cancel my charter. You figured you'd present me with my troubles all in
one heap the day I got back from Panama. I'm onto you!"

"Well, I guess we've still got a sting in