pgw.threemenandamaid-第5章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　is　a　leather　dummy；　and　of　all　things　in　this　world　a　leather　dummy　is　perhaps　the　most　placid　and　phlegmatic。　It　differs　in　many　respects　from　an　emotional　Swedish　gentleman；　six　foot　high　and　constructed　throughout　of　steel　and　india　rubber；　who　is　being　lugged　away　from　cash　which　he　has　been　regarding　in　the　light　of　a　legacy。　Indeed；　it　would　not　be　hard　to　find　a　respect　in　which　it　does　not　differ。　So　far　from　lying　inert　in　Sam's　arms　and　allowing　himself　to　be　saved　in　a　quiet　and　orderly　manner；　Mr。　Swenson　betrayed　all　the　symptoms　of　one　who　feels　that　he　has　fallen　among　murderers。　Mr。　Swenson；　much　as　he　disliked　petition；　was　ready　to　put　up　with　it；　provided　that　it　was　fair　petition。　This　pulling　your　rival　away　from　the　loot　so　that　you　could　grab　it　yourselfthus　shockingly　had　the　man　misinterpreted　Sam's　motiveswas　another　thing　altogether　and　his　stout　soul　would　have　none　of　it。　He　began　immediately　to　struggle　with　all　the　violence　at　his　disposal。　His　large；　hairy　hands　came　out　of　the　water　and　swung　hopefully　in　the　direction　where　he　assumed　his　assailant's　face　to　be。
　Sam　was　not　unprepared　for　this　display。　His　researches　in　the　art　of　life…saving　had　taught　him　that　your　drowning　man　frequently　struggled　against　his　best　interests。　In　which　case；　cruel　to　be　kind；　one　simply　stunned　the　blighter。　He　decided　to　stun　Mr。　Swenson；　though；　if　he　had　known　that　gentleman　more　intimately　and　had　been　aware　that　he　had　the　reputation　of　possessing　the　thickest　head　on　the　water…front　he　would　have　realised　the　magnitude　of　the　task。　Friends　of　Mr。　Swenson；　in　convivial　moments；　had　frequently　endeavoured　to　stun　him　with　bottles；　boots；　and　bits　of　lead　piping；　and　had　gone　away　depressed　by　failure。　Sam；　ignorant　of　this；　attempted　to　do　the　job　with　clenched　fist；　which　he　brought　down　as　smartly　as　possible　on　the　crown　of　the　other's　Derby　hat。
　It　was　the　worst　thing　he　could　have　done。　Mr。　Swenson　thought　highly　of　his　hat　and　this　brutal　attack　upon　it　confirmed　his　gloomiest　apprehensions。　Now　thoroughly　convinced　that　the　only　thing　to　do　was　to　sell　his　life　dearly　he　wrenched　himself　round；　seized　his　assailant　by　the　neck；　twined　his　arms　about　his　middle；　and　acpanied　him　below　the　surface。
　By　the　time　he　had　swallowed　his　first　pint　and　was　beginning　his　second；　Sam　was　reluctantly　pelled　to　e　to　the　conclusion　that　this　was　the　end。　The　thought　irritated　him　unspeakably。　This；　he　felt；　was　just　the　silly；　contrary　way　things　always　happened。　Why　should　it　be　he　who　was　perishing　like　this？　Why　not　Eustace　Hignett？　Now　there　was　a　fellow　whom　this　sort　of　thing　would　just　have　suited。　Broken…hearted　Eustace　Hignett　would　have　looked　on　all　this　as　a　merciful　release。
　He　paused　in　his　reflections　to　try　to　disentangle　the　more　prominent　of　Mr。　Swenson's　limbs　from　about　him。　By　this　time　he　was　sure　that　he　had　never　met　anyone　he　disliked　so　intensely　as　Mr。　Swensonnot　even　his　Aunt　Adeline。　The　man　was　a　human　octopus。　Sam　could　count　seven　distinct　legs　twined　round　him　and　at　least　as　many　arms。　It　seemed　to　him　that　he　was　being　done　to　death　in　his　prime　by　a　solid　platoon　of　Swedes。　He　put　his　whole　soul　into　one　last　effort　。。。　something　seemed　to　give　。。。　he　was　free。　Pausing　only　to　try　to　kick　Mr。　Swenson　in　the　face　Sam　shot　to　the　surface。　Something　hard　and　sharp　prodded　him　in　the　head。　Then　something　caught　the　collar　of　his　coat；　and；　finally；　spouting　like　a　whale；　he　found　himself　dragged　upwards　and　over　the　side　of　a　boat。
　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　*
　The　time　which　Sam　had　spent　with　Mr。　Swenson　below　the　surface　had　been　brief；　but　it　had　been　long　enough　to　enable　the　whole　floating　population　of　the　North　River　to　converge　on　the　scene　in　scows；　skiffs；　launches；　tugs　and　other　vessels。　The　fact　that　the　water　in　that　vicinity　was　crested　with　currency　had　not　escaped　the　notice　of　these　navigators　and　they　had　gone　to　it　as　one　man。　First　in　the　race　came　the　tug　　Reuben　S。　Watson　；　the　skipper　of　which；　following　a　famous　precedent；　had　taken　his　little　daughter　to　bear　him　pany。　It　was　to　this　fact　that　Marlowe　really　owed　his　rescue。　Women　have　often　a　vein　of　sentiment　in　them　where　men　can　only　see　the　hard　business　side　of　a　situation；　and　it　was　the　skipper's　daughter　who　insisted　that　the　family　boat…hook；　then　in　use　as　a　harpoon　for　spearing　dollar　bills；　should　be　devoted　to　the　less　profitable　but　humaner　end　of　extricating　the　young　man　from　a　watery　grave。
　The　skipper　had　grumbled　a　bit　at　first；　but　had　given　wayhe　always　spoiled　the　girlwith　the　result　that　Sam　found　himself　sitting　on　the　deck　of　the　tug　engaged　in　the　plicated　process　of　restoring　his　faculties　to　the　normal。　In　a　sort　of　dream　he　perceived　Mr。　Swenson　rise　to　the　surface　some　feet　away；　adjust　his　Derby　hat；　and；　after　one　long　look　of　dislike　in　his　direction；　swim　off　rapidly　to　intercept　a　five　which　was　floating　under　the　stern　of　a　near…by　skiff。
　Sam　sat　on　the　deck　and　panted。　He　played　on　the　boards　like　a　public　fountain。　At　the　back　of　his　mind　there　was　a　flickering　thought　that　he　wanted　to　do　something；　a　vague　feeling　that　he　had　some　sort　of　an　appointment　which　he　must　keep；　but　he　was　unable　to　think　what　it　was。　Meanwhile；　he　conducted　tentative　experiments　with　his　breath。　It　was　so　long　since　he　had　last　breathed　that　he　had　lost　the　knack　of　it。
　〃Well；　aincher　wet？〃　said　a　voice。
　The　skipper's　daughter　was　standing　beside　him；　looking　down　miseratingly。　Of　the　rest　of　the　family　all　he　could　see　was　the　broad　blue　seats　of　their　trousers　as　they　leaned　hopefully　over　the　side　in　the　quest　for　wealth。
　〃Yessir！　You　sure　are　wet！　Gee！　I　never　seen　anyone　so　wet！　I　seen　wet　guys；　but　I　never　seen　anyone　so　wet　as　you。　Yessir；　you're　certainly　　wet　！〃
　〃I　　am　　wet；〃　admitted　Sam。
　〃Yessir；　you're　wet！　Wet's　the　word　all　right。　Good　and　wet；　that's　what　you　are！〃
　〃It's　the　water；〃　said　Sam。　His　brain　was　still　clouded；　he　wished　he　could　remember　what　that　appointment　was。　〃That's　what　has　made　me　wet。〃
　〃It's　sure　made　you　wet　all　right；〃　agreed　the　girl。　She　looked　at　him　interestedly。　〃Wotcha　do　it　for？〃　she　asked。
　〃Do　it　for？〃
　〃Yes；　wotcha　do　it　for？　How　e？　Wotcha　do　a　Brodie　for　off'n　that　ship？　I　didn't　see　it　myself；　but　pa　says　you　e　walloping　down　off'n　the　deck　like　a　sack　of　potatoes。〃
　Sam　uttered　a　sharp　cry。　He　had　remembered。
　〃Where　is　she？〃
　〃Where's　who？〃
　〃The　liner。〃
　〃She's　off　down　the　river；　I　guess。　She　was　swinging　round；　the　last　I　seen　of　her。〃
　〃She's　not　gone？〃
　〃Sure　she's　gone。　Wotcha　expect　her　to　do？　She's　gotta　to　get　over　to　the　other　side；　ain't　she？　Cert'nly　she's　gone。〃　She　looked　at　him　interested。　〃Do　you　want　to　be　on　board　her？〃
　〃Of　course　I　do。〃
　〃Then；　for　the　love　of　Pete；　wotcha　doin'　walloping　off'n　her　like　a　sack　of　potatoes？〃
　〃I　slipped。　I　was　pushed　or　something。〃　Sam　sprang　to　his　feet　and　looked　wildly　about　him。　〃I　must　get　back。　Isn't　there　any　way　of　getting　back？〃
　〃Well；　you　could　catch　up　with　her　at　quarantine　out　in　the　bay。　She'll　stop　to　let　the　pilot　off。〃
　〃Can　you　take　me　to　quarantine？〃
　The　girl　glanced　doubtfully　at　the　seat　of　the　nearest　pair　of　trousers。
　〃Well；　we　　could　；〃　she　said。　〃But　pa's　kind　of　set　in　his　ways；　and　right　now　he's　fishing　for　dollar　bills　with　the　boat…hook。　He's　apt　to　get　sorta　mad　if　he's　interrupted。〃
　〃I'll　give　him　fifty　dollars　if　he'll　put　me　on　board。〃
　〃Got　it　on　you？〃　inquired　the　nymph　coyly。　She　had　her　share　of　sentiment；　but　she　was　her　father's　daughter　and　inherited　from　him　the　business　sense。
　〃Here　it　is。〃　He　pulled　out　his　pocket…book。　The　book　was　dripping；　but　the　contents　were　only　fairly　moist。
　〃Pa！〃　said　the　girl。
　The　trouser…seat　remained　where　it　wasdeaf　to　its　child's　cry。
　〃Pa！　mere！　Wantcha！〃
　The　trousers　did　not　even　quiver。　But　this　girl　was　a　girl　of　decision。　There　was　some　nautical　implement　resting　in　a　rack　convenient　to　her　hand。　It　was　long；　solid；　and　constructed　of　one　of　the　harder　forms　of　wood。　Deftly　extracting　this　from　its　place　she　smote　her　inoffensive　parent　on　the　only　visible　portion　of　him。　He　turned　sharply；　exhibiting　a　red；　bearded　face。
　〃Pa；　this　gen'man　wants　to　be　took　aboard　the　boat　at　quarantine。　He'll　give　you　fifty　berries。〃
　The　wrath　died　out　of　the　skipper's　face　like　the　slow　turning　down　of　a　lamp。　The　fishing　had　been　poor；　and　so　far　he　had　only　managed　to　secure　a　single　two…dollar　bill。　In　a　crisis　like　the　one　which　had　so　suddenly　arisen　you　cannot　do　yourself　justice　with　a　boat…hook。
　〃Fifty　berries！〃
　〃Fifty　seeds！〃　the　girl　assured　him；　〃Are　you　on？〃
　〃Queen；〃　said　the　skipper　simply；　〃you　said　a　mouthful！〃
　Twenty　minutes　later　Sam　was　climbing　up　the　side　of　the　liner　as　it　lay　towering　over　the　tug　like　a　mountain。　His　clothes　hung　about　him　clammily。　He　squelched　as　he　walked。
　A　kindly　looking　old　gentleman　who　was　smoking　a　cigar　by　the　rail　regarded　him　with　open　eyes。
　〃My　dear　sir；　you're　very　wet；〃　he　said。
　Sam　passed　him　with　a　cold　face　and　hurried　through　the　door　leading　to　the　panion…way。
　〃Mummie；　why　is　that　man　wet？〃　cried　the　clear　voice　of　a　little　child。
　Sam　whizzed　by；　leaping　down　the　stairs。
　〃Good　Lord；　sir！　You're　very　wet！〃　said　a　steward　in　the　doorway　of　the　dining…saloon。
　〃You　　are　　wet；〃　said　a　stewardess　in　the　passage。
　Sam　raced　for　his　state…room。　He　bolted　in　and　sank　on　the　lounge。　In　the　lower　berth　Eustace　Hignett　was　lying　with　closed　eyes。　He　opened　them　languidlythen　stared。
　〃Hullo！〃　he　said。　〃I　say！　You're　wet。〃
　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　*
　Sam　removed　his　clinging　garments　and　hurried　into　a　new　suit。　He　was　in　no　mood　for　conversation；　and　Eustace　Hignett's　frank　curiosity　jarred　upon　him。　Happily；　at　this　point；　a　sudden　shivering　of　the　floor　and　a　creaking　of　woodwork　proclaimed　the　fact　that　the　vessel　was　under　way　again；　and　his　cousin；　turning　pea…green；　rolled　over　on　his　side　with　a　hollow　moan。　Sam　finished　buttoning　his　waistcoat　and　went　out。
　He　was　passing　the　Enquiry　Bureau　on　the　C…Deck；　striding　along　with　bent　head　and　scowling　brow；　when　a　sudden　exclamation　caused　him　to　look　up；　and　the　scowl　was　wiped　from　his　brow　as　with　a　sponge。　For　there　stood　the　girl　he　had　met　on　the　dock。　With　her　was　a　superfluous　young　man　who　looked　like　a　parrot。
　〃Oh；　　how　　are　you？〃　asked　the　girl　breathlessly。
　〃Splendid；　thanks；〃　said　Sam。
　〃Didn't　you　get　very　wet？〃
　〃I　did　get　a　little　damp。〃
　〃I　thought　you　would；〃　said　the　young　man　who　looked　like　a　parrot。　〃Directly　I　saw　you　go　over　the　side　I　said　to　myself：　'That　fellow's　going　to　get　wet！'〃
　There　was　a　pause。
　〃Oh！〃　said　the　girl；　〃may　IMr。？〃
　〃Marlowe。〃
　〃Mr。　Marlowe。　Mr。　Bream　Mortimer。〃
　Sam　smirked　at　the　young　man。　The　young　man　smirked　at　Sam。
　〃Nearly　got　left　behind；〃　said　Bream　Mortimer。
　〃Yes；　nearly。〃
　〃No　joke　getting　left　behind。〃
　〃No。〃
　〃Have　to　take　the　next　boat。　Lose　a　lot　of　time；〃　said　Mr。　Mortimer；　driving　home　his　point。
　The　girl　had　listened　to　these　intellectual　exchanges　with　impatience。　She　now　spoke　again。
　〃Oh；　Bream！〃
　〃Hello？〃
　〃Do　be　a　dear　and　run　down　to　the　saloon　and　see　if