Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/283

Rh plunder only those who can well afford his pilferings and—more than that—to rob them in the most extraordinarily considerate manner.

"I recall this, because it was while considering this point of Mr. Manling's honor that my idea suggested itself to me—or, perhaps, I might more properly say, Mr. Manling, himself, suggested it to me by his significant action in stealing the pool last night.

"And having it so suggested, Mr. Preston here—my cabin-mate, who was the one robbed of the pool—helped me develop it from the original pure sporting proposition for us men into a most chivalrous protection for the ladies in our care!"

"Hear! Hear! What is it? What is it? Hear! Hear!" broke out impatiently and appreciatively from the English and Americans alike.

"It is, simply and in short," the Englishman cried, "that as Mr. Manling stole the pool last night, we propose and compact with him that hereafter—as long as he is left to 257