CHAPTER XIII.

ADONIS ON A NEW TACK.

Ordinarily it took considerable to surprise Jerome Wellington--he had such good control over his nervous system that he could take in a philosophical manner much that might have rattled a less collected customer.

In plainer words he had studied the art of appearing cool under all conditions.

As an adventurer with an enviable record for successful achievements behind him he had many times found this accomplishment very useful in carrying out the bold designs necessary to the fulfillment of his game.

For once at least Jerome was obliged to confess to weakening--for once his confidence appeared to have overshot its mark, and he even doubted the positive evidence of his senses.

He could have sworn that, as his head arose above the level of the quarter deck he positively saw a common fellow in the dress of a sailor, standing very very close to the beautiful niece of General Porfidio--more than this, that he actually had the audacity to raise her hand to his lips and kiss it--Jerome knew full well what a kiss was like, and could not be deceived in the sound of one, even when simply pressed upon a lady's hand.

Indignation filled his noble breast.

Since Don Porfidio, gallant son of Porto Rico, was absent from his post of duty, the pleasant task of defending his ward must fall to others.

Undoubtedly this fellow must have used some ignoble means of gaining the mastery over the young and innocent girl's mind--Jerome had exhausted his own matchless resources for the last few days in the endeavor to arouse a responsive feeling in her heart, and possibly felt considerably piqued just now to discover that what he had failed to accomplish this son of Neptune had apparently brought about with ease.

Of course he possessed some wonderful power that aided him in this revolutionary work--Jerome had read and heard considerable on the subject of personal magnetism, of hypnotism, the astonishing control one mind may have over another that nature has so constructed as to make it subject or tributary to the first.

What was needed, therefore, was the sudden introduction of a third resolute body in order to break the magic spell.

Jerome would be this public benefactor--he was always ready to sacrifice his own comfort in order to restore natural harmony.

Having thus quickly decided that it was not only his privilege but a duty as well, to step between this necromancer and his intended victim, Jerome set the ball rolling by continuing his upward movement.

By this time his presence seemed to have become known to those in whose mutual affairs he was taking such a remarkable interest.

Strangely enough it was the girl who first detected the fire of his cigar appearing above the line marking the quarter deck--the girl who uttered a choking little Spanish exclamation of mingled alarm and consternation--the girl who even sprang back a step as though to make it appear that she and the sailor were but engaged in an ordinary conversation.

All of which was noted by the newcomer with no little surprise.

It did not alter his determination to inject his personality into the game.

As has been said before Jerome was not a coward, whatever else he may have been.

True, it did not require the dashing soldierly qualities of a D'Artagnan to advance upon a solitary sailorman who had broken the rules of the ship and pushed his inferior person upon the deck space reserved for superior beings.

Jerome solemnly walked toward the fellow.

He noticed that the chap had not stirred an inch all this while, but seemed to be awaiting his masterly approach.

Had the tables been turned, and he been made the subject of the girl's mesmeric power he could not have stood there more rigid.

Perhaps he meant to exercise his hypnotic powers upon the new arrival.

Unconsciously Jerome braced himself against such a dreadful influence.

Again, it might be fear that paralyzed the fellow--surely, the spectacle of Jerome striding angrily forward was enough to strike alarm at the heart of the most valiant--so the said Jerome himself thought.

Such a thing as even the glimmer of the truth had not as yet even dawned upon his benighted mind--how was it possible, when he believed Roderic to be a thousand miles away?

The situation was exceedingly dramatic when these two men faced each other, with Georgia hovering near by, ready to invoke the god of peace if matters grew too stormy, although her last effort in that line, when Don Porfidio and Roderic crossed swords in the bungalow had not been much of a success.

"Well, sir, what do you mean by breaking the rules and thrusting your unwelcome company upon the quarter deck? If Captain Shackelford was made aware of this he would use the cat over your stupid shoulders, do you hear?"

The sailorman answered not.

This increased the other's kindling passion, for he foolishly believed his ferocious appearance had awed the man, and that possibly he could not reply because his teeth were rattling together like Spanish castanets.

He raised his voice higher.

"Don't imagine I didn't see what was going on. I understand the power you have exercised over this young lady--the miserable hypnotic influence you have exerted to control her actions.

"And let me tell you, fellow, that power ends from this moment. Acting in the place of her natural guardian, who is unavoidably detained below just at present--serving in his stead I, Jerome Wellington snap the chain you have dared to throw about her sacred person. She is free from this hour, free from your miserable, devilish power. And as for you, fellow----"

He stopped as though not yet quite certain as to the extreme course of punishment that by rights should be meted out for such a condign offense.

"Well?" muttered the other, anxious of course to have the agony over with and the worst known.

"I am inclined to amuse myself in kicking you off the quarterdeck--perhaps it may have the effect of also scattering some of your wonderful magnetic charms, since I have heard that the hypnotic power is shattered by a shock to the seat of the nervous system."

These were brave words, truly, but if the man who gave utterance to them expected the other to show any symptom of fear, he certainly counted without his host.

Perhaps he imagined the alarmed sailor would put up a plea for mercy, would even drop on his knees in suing for pardon.

Such a melo-dramatic action would be a rare spectacle for the gods--in order to appear the more heroic in the sight of this fair girl Jerome might even have magnanimously declined to carry on warfare when the enemy sued for peace--he was a man who never neglected an opportunity to pose as a magnificent figure before feminine eyes.

Contrary to his expectation, however, the affair did not take on this guise.

Instead of showing the white feather the enemy at once hoisted signals of defiance.

He began to coolly and deliberately roll back the sleeves of his flannel shirt.

The act was intended for supreme scorn--it meant that he snapped his fingers contemptuously in the face of the Adonis--it meant that he prepared himself in nautical language, to "resist boarders."

There was trouble in prospect.

Jerome had gone too far to back down--he must either put his words into execution or give evidence of cowardice.

The girl, seeing how matters stood, now endeavored to prevent a rupture.

"Senor, this is a friend of mine, one I have known a long time. If I choose to receive him on the quarterdeck that is surely an affair to be settled with my uncle and the captain. I will relieve you of any anxiety and responsibility, senor," she said, with pointed emphasis.

"Pardon, senorita, but it has already gone too deep to be dropped. There is an issue between this a--humble friend of yours and myself, which can only be settled by an appeal to arms, not to Caesar. Therefore, my fine fellow, look you out, for I intend to toss you down where you belong, since you have positively refused to go there voluntarily when I gave you the chance."

He took a step toward Roderic, who calmly awaited for hostilities to begin.

There was good reason too why the latter should have become nervous over the matter.

It was at this juncture that several violent sneezes were heard ringing over the vessel, and in this signal Roderic recognized a part of Captain Beven's design to warn him that he should only be able to detain the gentlemen a few minutes longer, so that it might be essential for the lover to make his farewells without further loss of time, if so be he had been fortunate enough to find an opportunity to see his charmer.

Roderic however, was hardly in a position to carry out this programme.

Jerome showed fight, and it was really too much to expect a man of Roderic's character to withdraw in ignominious fashion under the very eyes he adored.

Plainly he was in for a miserable struggle.

He deplored this on several accounts, since it might jeopardise his mission, and moreover place him in a poor light before Georgia, for what man desires to engage in an ordinary brawl in the presence of the being he adores.

There are times however when "needs must when the devil drives," so that it was not a question of choice but necessity with Roderic.

About this time the first faint suspicion broke in upon Jerome's mind to the effect that things might be other than they seemed.

He had no opportunity to gather up the fragments and link them together in a chain that might reveal the entire truth--some invisible power flashed a little thought into his brain--it may have been the attitude assumed by the sailor as though awaiting his attack, for there was that about it suggesting the trained athlete and not an ordinary Jack Tar, clumsy with his fists.

At any rate what did Jerome do as he came close up but bend his head forward and fix his steadfast gaze upon the other's face.

Roderic had deemed his disguise secure, and so it was under all ordinary pressure.

It had resisted curious glances from the crew of the blockade runner, and even Love's eyes had failed to penetrate beneath the surface.

There is no sight one half so keen as that of burning Hate, which seems capable of piercing all obstacles set in the way.

So it came home to Jerome with the rapidity of the lightning's flash, with whom he had to deal.

No wonder the man's attitude seemed familiar--no wonder he dared defy attack--no wonder the lovely Porto Rican belle called him her _friend_!

And the sudden knowledge galled Jerome.

Under it he waxed wroth.

Baffled in his endeavor to secure Miss Fairfax and her millions because forsooth she chose to fall in love with this traveling agent, he was now to be beaten in his other little game of occupying Georgia's heart because Roderic had centered his affection there.

Ye gods, it was enough to anger the coolest and most diplomatic of men, and Jerome could not be blamed for letting passion run away with his better judgment.

"So, it's _you_?" he grunted, sneeringly.

Roderic knew his identity was no longer a secret, and that he might as well throw off the mask he had assumed.

All he desired now was to so conduct himself in _her_ presence that she might find no occasion for reproach.

"Yes, it's no other, Wellington. How is your health these days?" he said, carelessly, hoping the other might cool down and thus avoid friction, for if given his own way Roderic would have wished to leave the steamer peaceably, though ready to do his share in any action that might be unwisely precipitated by a hot headed antagonist.

"Better than yours will be presently," was the stinging reply from Jerome, who accompanied his words with a grin as though in anticipation he could already see the object of his dislike receiving punishment at the hands of stern old Captain Shackelford, whose greatest _bete noire_ was a traitor or a spy.

"What may that remark mean?" asked Roderic.

"That you shall be denounced as a spy--that you have crept aboard this vessel under false colors to learn her cargo and destination in order that she could be seized by your accursed cruisers on the blockade--that you have spent these days to advantage in prying out these secrets and should therefore suffer the usual fate of any common low spy."

Roderic still preserved his temper--perhaps the occasion would presently come when he could repay these insults with interest--it might be even closer than Jerome suspected, but for the present his policy was to keep the peace just so long as it could be done with honor.

"You seem to imagine I have been on board during the whole voyage?" he remarked.

"How could it be otherwise?" demanded Jerome, looking for some secret trap.

"Because as you happen to know, I was left behind in Dublin when the Sterling Castle left the harbor at Kingstown--because I have come on board to-night with Captain Beven, who so royally entertained you in the cabin just now, at the expense of myself and my Cousin Cleo, the owner of the steam yacht Beven commands. As to my motive in boarding your boat, I am not ashamed to admit it to you, sir--it was to see and converse with this lady, who holds the first place in my heart, and whom God willing, I expect some day to claim as my wife. That is all, sir."

It should have been enough.

Had Jerome been as sensible in this game as he had proven himself in various others he must have realized that this determined act of Roderic took him once and for all out of the chase for the Fairfax millions and virtually left the field to him.

But something had occurred to make a change in the schemer's plan of campaign--he was not as hot after those millions just now as he had been in the past.

Truth to tell a face had bewitched him and even the elegant Don Juan found his Waterloo in the daughter of Porto Rico--yes, he had to admit the stinging fact that after playing at love all these years he was now actually smitten.

"You are mistaken, Owen, that is not all. I have serious doubts concerning the truth of your story--I rather imagine you are bent on killing two birds with one stone, and intended learning all about this boat--that your seeking an audience with the senorita"--bowing in her direction--"was but an afterthought. However, it does not matter. I have an unpleasant duty to perform."

"Indeed! What might that be?"

"Arresting you, and taking you before the captain charged with being a spy."

"You wouldn't try that, Wellington?"

"Oh! I wouldn't--perhaps you doubt my ability?"

"I simply warn you against it. I should hate to offer violence in the presence of a lady--"

"Don't mind me, Senor Roderic--you have my permission to defend yourself even if by so doing you are compelled to spoil the gentleman beau's classic features!" cried the little senorita, ready to display her colors.

"That settles it--will you come with me peaceably or forcibly?" demanded the enraged Jerome, stretching out a powerful arm.

"Neither, thanks," replied Roderic, stepping back.

"Then here's at you for keeps," and Wellington plunged forward with impetuous zeal.

Senorita Georgia had great faith in the individual prowess of her betrothed, whom she had seen come out victor in other affairs, yet Jerome was no stripling, and besides, assistance for him might arrive at any moment--so she stood behind the barricade of steamer chairs and fervently besought the Virgin to favor the cause of the brave man she loved.