king
the life out of him. He was a strong, vigorous man, but he was helpless
in the grasp of this tigerish young fighter from the slopes of the
Andes. He heard Percival's voice, panting in his ear.

"I can keep this up longer than you can. I don't want to break your
neck,--do you understand? I don't want to break your neck, Landover, but
if you don't give in, I'll--I'll--" The pressure slackened perceptibly.
"Say it! Now's your chance. Say you've--got enough!"

Landover managed to gasp out the word. He could still feel his eyes
starting from his head, his tongue seemed to fill his mouth completely.

Percival released him instantly and fell back a yard or so, ready,
however, to spring upon his man again at the first sign of treachery. No
more than sixty seconds elapsed between the beginning and the end of the
encounter. It was all over in the twinkling of an eye, so to speak. In
fact, it was over so quickly that the first man to reach the door after
the report of the revolver rang out, found the two men facing each
other, one coughing and clutching at his throat, the other erect and
menacing. For the first time, Percival took his eyes from the purplish
face of the banker. They fell first upon a head and pair of shoulders
that blocked one of the two port-holes. He recognized the countenance of
Soapy Shay, the thief. To his amazement, Soapy grinned and then winked
at him!

"The boat is ready to leave, Landover," said the victor briskly. "We
have no more use for this thing at present," he went on, shoving the
revolver under the berth with the toe of his boot. The banker stared
past him at the agitated group in the corridor. The man was trembling
like a leaf, not so much from fear as from the effects of the tremendous
physical shock.

Percival was a generous foe. He experienced a sudden pity,--a rush of
consideration for the other's feelings. He saw the tears of rage
and mortification well up in the eyes of the banker, he heard the
half-suppressed sob that broke from his lips. Whirling, he ordered the
crowd away from the door. "It's all right," he said. "Please leave us."
He addressed Soapy Shay. "Beat it, you!"

Soapy saluted with mock servility. "Aye, aye, sir. I saw the whole show.
It was certainly worth the price of admission." Having delivered himself
of that graceful acknowledgment, he effaced himself.

"Just a word or two, Mr. Landover," said Percival as the crowd shuffled
away from the door. "I am sorry this