ror, the inert figure being lifted over the side of the yacht--these
things crowded on his brain and fired him to a sudden, unreasoning
fury. He leaned over, looking sharply into the other's face.

"You damned scoundrel!" he said, choking with his anger. The blood
surged into his face and eyes; he was, for an instant, a primitive
savage. He could have laid violent hands on the other man and done him
to death, in the fashion of the half-gods who lived in the twilight of
history.

The visitor in the fo'cas'le exhibited a neat row of teeth and no
resentment whatever at Jim's remark, But a sharp glitter shot from his
eyes as he replied suavely:

"Monsieur has doubtless mistaken this ship, and probably its master
also, for some other less worthy adventurer on the sea. For that very
reason I have come to set you right. It may be that I have my quixotic
moments. At any rate, I have a fancy to give you a gentleman's chance.
Monsieur, I regret the necessity of being inhospitable, but I am forced
to say that you must quit the shelter of this yacht within twenty-four
hours."

The thin, sarcastic voice and clean-cut syllables fanned the flame of
Jimmy's rage. He felt impotent, moreover, which never serves as a
poultice to anger. But he got himself in hand, though imitation
courtesy was not much in his line. He tuned his big hearty voice to a
pitch with the Frenchman's nasal pipe, and clipped off his words in
mimicry.

"And to whom, pray, shall I have the honor to say farewell, at the
auspicious moment when I jump overboard?"

"Gently, you American, gently!" said the other. "My friends, and some
of my enemies, know me as Monsieur Chatelard." As he paused for an
impressive instant, Jim, grabbing his blanket, stood up in derision and
executed an elaborate bow in as foreign a manner as he could command.
Monsieur Chatelard politely waved him down and continued:

"But pray do not trouble to give me your card! I had rather say adieu
to Monsieur the Unknown, whose daring and temper I so much admire. But
I certainly misunderstood your violent remark a moment ago, did I not?
You can not possibly have any ground of quarrel with me."

"I thought you stole my money-belt."

Monsieur smiled and waved a deprecatory hand. "You have already
dismissed that idea, I am certain. A money-belt, between gentlemen!
Moreover, you should thank me for so much as recognizing the gentleman
in you, since you are without the customary tra