Such a thing as even the glimmer of the truth had not as yet even dawned upon his benighted mind—how was it possible, when he believed Roderic to be a thousand miles away?
The situation was exceedingly dramatic when these two men faced each other, with Georgia hovering near by, ready to invoke the god of peace if matters grew too stormy, although her last effort in that line, when Don Porfidio and Roderic crossed swords in the bungalow had not been much of a success.
"Well, sir, what do you mean by breaking the rules and thrusting your unwelcome company upon the quarter deck? If Captain Shackelford was made aware of this he would use the cat over your stupid shoulders, do you hear?"
The sailorman answered not.
This increased the other's kindling passion, for he foolishly believed his ferocious appearance had awed the man, and that possibly he could not reply because his teeth were rattling together like Spanish castanets.
He raised his voice higher.
"Don't imagine I didn't see what was going on. I understand the power you have exercised over this young lady—the miserable hypnotic influence you have exerted to control her actions.
"And let me tell you, fellow, that power ends from this moment. Acting in the place of her natural guardian, who is unavoidably detained below just at present—serving in his stead I, Jerome Wellington snap the chain you have dared to throw about her sacred person. She is free from this hour, free from your miserable, devilish power. And as for you, fellow——"
He stopped as though not yet quite certain as to the extreme course of punishment that by rights should be meted out for such a condign offense.
"Well?" muttered the other, anxious of course to have the agony over with and the worst known.