ur nerves, instead of Blake's."

"I see. And in order to spare me, you are going to torture this bound
man in my presence, in order that his agony will make me speak!"
retorted Ruth. "What a hypocritical beast you are, Captain Carew! I
suppose that next you will apologize to Mr. Blake for the inconvenience
my stubbornness is causing him. Of course, you are sorry for him!"

Carew swore at the girl's gibing.

"Sorry!" he exclaimed. "By Heaven! I'd like to twist the young
blighter's neck with my bare hands! Don't go too far, milady, or it
will be the worse for this fine lover of yours!"

He suddenly left his chair, and strode to Martin's side. He favored
Martin with an angry, jealous glare, and then turned tempestuously upon
the girl.

"Look at me, woman!" he cried. "By ----! Am I not a man? Compare us,
girl! Compare me with this half-baked cub you ogle so sweetly! Am I
not the better man? Why, I could break that booby in two! Compare us,
girl!"

He drew himself up with shoulders back and stood there, a splendid
figure of a man. His face was flushed and working, showing plainly the
jealous passions and the intolerable longing for the girl's approval
which had whipped him into this melodramatic outburst. Ruth faced him
with silent, contemptuous scorn. Martin's gorge rose to fever pitch.
With difficulty he restrained himself from slipping the cuffs and
springing at the insolent egotist's throat.

"It is not ambergris I want!" went on Carew. "It is you, Ruth. I want
you of your own free will. Look at me, Ruth! Am I hideous, or a
weakling? By Heaven! Women in plenty have come to me ere now, and
without my pleading! I am the mate for you. This pup, this runaway
clerk, has no right to you. I could kill him for his presumption!
Come to me. Ruth, you shall be anything, everything, you wish! I'll
make you a fine lady--a queen--I know islands----"

"An island where you will install me as queen of your harem, I
suppose," interrupted Ruth acidly. "Have you informed the other ladies
you mentioned of your intentions?"

"You are the only one. There will never be another, I swear to you!"
avowed Carew. "Those other women--they did not matter. But you--you
will be my wife! A true marriage. I can give you a great name, a
clean name, not the name of Carew."

"And I suppose we are to live up to your great name with the treasure I
am to deliver into your hands?" scoffed Ruth.

"No, no! I do not