Page:Paine--J Archibauld McKaney collector of whiskers.djvu/114

  was as inconsistent as the average infatuated lover.

As soon as I had left him I determined to seek the captain of the ship. I was ready to betray Pebotsky, for it made no difference whether we all knew it or not. I could see no way out of the incredibly harrowing situation. I got as far as Wilkins stateroom and then my strength left me. I roused him and tottered inside and collapsed on his divan. He heard me out with his unfailing sang froid and took it upon himself to find the captain. Wilkins could see no hope of escape unless the crew and passengers should be ordered into the boats and the ill-fated liner abandoned to her doom.

It required much argument before the officer on deck could be persuaded to waken Captain Zimmer. The commander of the Hoch Der Kaiser was short-tempered and irritable when he confronted Wilkins, who stood by his guns, however, until the amazing tale was done.

"Send to the second cabin and fetch me a 96]