he
controlled himself to speak in English he cried:

"I'll have you arrested for stealing my nets. I'll get a warrant and
search your wharf and your house."

"But you won't find your nets." Dickie Lang supplied the words and went
on: "Listen, you crook, if you and I don't settle this thing up right
now you won't find a piece of your nets big enough to swear what it is.
I'm not trying to rob you like you robbed me. I just want what's coming
to me. Not a cent more. If you give me that I'll throw your webbing
over. If you don't I'll trail them every inch of the way to Legonia and
cut them into ribbons with the propeller. It's up to you, Mascola."

The Italian flashed a glance to the cove where the _Roma's_ angling
mast appeared against the beach. Then he looked out to sea and his eyes
brightened as the mast of a fishing-boat rounded the point and turned
shoreward. It was Ankovitch with the _Lura_.

His launch rode high on a capping swell and a puff of wind caused him to
look anxiously at the beach. The tide was beginning to set in strong and
the breeze was freshening. He snapped out his watch and scowled.
Whatever was done for the _Roma_ must be done at once.

"What do you want?" he flashed.

"Pay for the fish you stole from my nets. From what I saw in your nets I
figure I had all of a ton." She glanced at the fish lying on the deck.
"You've got about five hundred here. I'll allow you for that. You pay me
the difference at three cents. That will be forty-five dollars."

Mascola glared. His hand crept slowly to his pocket.

"None of that."

The girl's words cut like a knife. The hand which lay in her pocket
turned and the coat bulged outward.

"I was getting my money," Mascola growled.

"All right. Face about the other way when you get it."

As the Italian turned, Dickie Lang caught up a rifle and threw it
loosely over her shoulder. Mascola turned to look straight into the
muzzle and drew back sharply. Then he flourished a roll of bills.

"Quick," he said. "You have me at a disadvantage this time. I will pay.
Here is the money."

He tossed the bills to the deck.

"All right, Mascola. That squares us for to-day. I'll dump your nets
over right where they are as soon as I check up the money. And the next
time you try to lay around me I'm going to run through your nets and cut
them to pieces."

Mascola dropped to the cushioned seat and whirled half about.

"I will not forget," he said. "To-day you win. Nex