e first officer; then, looking
into the appealing face of Mr. Meyer, he said:

"I do not think it will be necessary to brand me before the world as an
inebriate in order to punish the company and these men. Barratry, as I
understand it, is the unlawful act of a captain or crew at sea, causing
damage or loss; and it only applies when the parties are purely
employees. Did I understand rightly--that Captain Bryce was part owner
of the _Titan_?"

"Yes," said Mr. Meyer, "he owns stock; and we insure against barratry;
but this man, as part owner, could not fall back on it."

"And an unlawful act," went on Rowland, "perpetrated by a captain who is
part owner, which might cause shipwreck, and, during the perpetration of
which shipwreck really occurs, will be sufficient to void the policy."

"Certainly," said Mr. Meyer, eagerly. "You were drunk on der
lookout--you were raving drunk, as he said himself. You will swear to
this, will you not, my friend? It is bad faith with der underwriters. It
annuls der insurance. You admit this, Mr. Thompson, do you not?"

"That is law," said the attorney, coldly.

"Was Mr. Austen a part owner, also?" asked Rowland, ignoring Mr. Meyer's
view of the case.

"One share, is it not, Mr. Austen?" asked Mr. Meyer, while he rubbed his
hands and smiled. Mr. Austen made no sign of denial and Rowland
continued:

"Then, for drugging a sailor into a stupor, and having him on lookout
out of his turn while in that condition, and at the moment when the
_Titan_ struck the iceberg, Captain Bryce and Mr. Austen have, as part
owners, committed an act which nullifies the insurance on that ship."

"You infernal, lying scoundrel!" roared Captain Bryce. He strode toward
Rowland with threatening face. Half-way, he was stopped by the impact of
a huge brown fist which sent him reeling and staggering across the room
toward Mr. Selfridge and the child, over whom he floundered to the
floor--a disheveled heap,--while the big Captain Barry examined
teeth-marks on his knuckles, and every one else sprang to their feet.

"I told you to look out," said Captain Barry. "Treat my friend
respectfully." He glared steadily at the first officer, as though
inviting him to duplicate the offense; but that gentleman backed away
from him and assisted the dazed Captain Bryce to a chair, where he felt
of his loosened teeth, spat blood upon Mr. Meyer's floor, and gradually
awakened to a realization of the fact that he had been knocked