"
Since she offered her hand, Jack, under the circumstances, took it
simply, then released it. He stood before her in the uniform that had
suffered in the fire.
"I am told that you, my Captain, nearly lost your own life in saving
my less than worthless one," continued the Russian woman. "It was a
strange thing for you to--considering. Will you believe me when I
tell you that I greatly respect your courage and your manhood?"
"Yes," bowed Jack. "Though it was nothing but a sailor's easy trick."
"You would make little of it, would you, my Captain?" smiled Mlle.
Nadiboff, plaintively. "True, you risked much for a life that has
been worth but little. Still, I sent for you to do more than assure
you of my appreciation of your generosity."
As she spoke, the young woman thrust one hand into the bosom of her
dress. She drew out a little envelope which she held in her hand for
a few moments.
"You have been threatened, my Captain?" she whispered, looking up at
him.
"Oh, ye-es," assented Captain Jack Benson, shrugging his shoulders.
"And by very desperate people."
"So far," smiled the boy, "they have injured only themselves."
"Yet you do not know how far their vengeance can reach."
"Nor shall I lose any sleep thinking over it," Captain Jack replied,
looking down at her with his baffling smile.
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