“No, Dodge!” Cleigh called out as the Texan, raised the revolver. “You may go.”
Dodge, a good deal astonished, backed out. Once more father and son stared at each other.
“Better call it off,” advised the son. “You can’t hold Miss Norman—and I can make a serious charge. Bring her at once, or I’ll go for her. And the Lord help the woodwork if I start!”
But even as he uttered the threat Dennison heard a sound behind. He turned, but not soon enough. In a second he was on the floor, three husky seamen mauling him. They had their hands full for a while, but in the end they conquered.
“What next, sir?” asked one of the sailors, breathing hard.
“Tie him up and lock him in Cabin Two.”
The first order was executed. After Dennison’s arms and ankles were bound the men stood him up.
“Are you really my father?” 91
Cleigh returned to his cards and shuffled them for a new deal.
“Don’t untie him. He might walk through the partition. He will have the freedom of the deck when we are out of the delta.”