"Throw that stuff overboard, Roberts," commanded the later, rising. With a look of vast relief the steward obeyed. Krausz glared at them, and the American saw the peculiar ribbon of muscle beating furiously under the skin of his brow.
"How dare you!" burst forth the scientist. "Pig of an American, you do not your place know——"
He was swinging his fists wildly in the air, and by sheer accident managed to catch the tray of Roberts with a blow that sent it clattering to the deck. Hammer, angry, took a step forward and caught the German's wrists in a hard grip.
"Get command of yourself, doctor," he said quietly. "You're making a disgraceful scene here."
For an instant the other glared at him with bloodshot, maddened eyes which, despite his light-brown hair, were of the deepest black. Then. Hammer caught a ripple of the man's huge muscles, and he was flung violently back with a curse.
"Iss it not mine ship?" stormed the angry German. "Pig! Dog! I will show you——"
He rushed forward. Hammer, seeing that he had to deal with a sheer madman, wasted no more words but struck with all his weight behind the blow. His fist took Krausz full in the stomach. and with a single groan the big man shivered and collapsed in a heap.
"Roberts," and Hammer turned to the wild-eyed steward, "send two of the Germans here to carry the doctor to his cabin. Then see to it that I am called at four bells and not disturbed before then."
Poor Roberts fled hastily, and Hammer composed himself to sleep again. He would have thought little of the incident, nor did he expect that Krausz would remember it; but that evening the doctor appeared at mess—a very rare thing. His first act was to go up to the American with hand outstretched.
"My dear Mr. Hammer," he said, sincerity in his tone. "I deeply regret what took place thiss afternoon, and apologize to you for it. I——"