H. Bedford-Jones

“ You’ll be released in an hour, when the other quartermaster comes back with that boat. You tell him, and tell Tuan Benbow likewise, that if you attempt to pursue us, I’ll shoot Sultan Lumpur at first sight of you—savvy? Good. Stay here until sunset, then go on south with the proa and put in at Kuala Trengore; you ought to reach it early in the morning. You’ll find Sultan Lumpur there waiting for you, safe and unhurt—I give you my word as to that. But if you try to follow, he’ll be the first to die. ”

“ Miss Bretton sat stiffly in her chair, her face very white and her gray eyes blazing with anger.
“I hope you’re satisfied about your host, Miss Bretton?”
“Oh!” She flushed deeply. “I—I didn’t know there could be such men in the world!”
“No, he isn’t a man at all.” Stone inspected the staring brown face curiously. “He’s merely a snake—or a spider, if you like. This pretty boat seems to be a regular parlor, but this time he’s caught a wasp instead of a fly; a wasp, Genus Americanus. Feeling better, Sultan? Let’s have a chat.”
“Damn you!” Sultan Lumpur’s voice lashed out venomously. ”

“ Then, swiftly, Stone’s iron will swept all thought of her out of his mind, and grimly tensed himself to the work in hand. It was nearly done now, he reflected; the worst of the work lay behind, and if the Raja of Hell Island could play out the game sans faiblesse, Dick Stone would yet win clear. But there must be no false move, no trifling!
Before him Stone eyed the four cabin doors, two on either hand—the entire after-space of the proa aside from the Sultan’s private suite. Jerking out his revolver, the American stepped to the nearest door and shoved it open. The cabin was empty. ”

“ Right!” broke in Stone cheerfully. “I’ll explain, Miss Bretton. There’s a poor, no-account American whom I know—a decent fellow in his way, but who’s had a string of hard luck lately. In fact, he’s down and out financially. Now, then, this Sultan Lumpur has done him a very scurvy trick indeed; has forced him to starve and fight and do a whole lot of things he doesn’t like, and finally decided, only a little while ago, to maroon this American chap and set a bunch of crazy Malays on him—in short, to murder him. ”

“ The doors of the passage were closed, and Stone did not think it worth while to intimidate Benbow further. He hastened on to the end door, flung it open—and at sight of Miss Bretton at the stern window, quite forgot to lock the door after him.
“Bully for you!” Smiling, Stone took the painter from her and hooked the knotted end in the gilded carving. “Now, let’s get our freight in. You’re willing to take a little boat ride, I hope? Back to civilization?” ”

“ Mind, stay there! If you come poking out, you’ll stop lead. I’m running this hooker—get!”
Benbow vanished hastily and slammed the door. Having no means of fastening it, Stone trusted that the skipper’s amazement and fear would hold him prisoner, and passed on to the fourth door. That cabin proved to be empty.
Turning, Stone sought the companionway.
“Expecting to take Miss Bretton aboard, Sultan Lumpur stowed his girls in that cabin—and they’ll stay there safe enough,” he reflected. “Well, it looks as if all was secure below, granted Benbow lies perdu for a while. ”

“ I’ll do you like I did Mickelson if you don’t keep your fat head where it belongs. But I don’t want any more fighting. By the Lord Harry, I’ve had my bellyful this trip! This craft belongs to me, savvy? ”