Part 46 (2/2)

I've failed to down you, Harrigan. You beat me on the Mary Rogers. You made a fool of me on the island. And on the Heron--”

He paused again, breathing hard.

”On the _Heron_, it was you who brought us food and water when we were dying. And afterward, when Henshaw died, I jumped out before the mutineers and took command of them because I thought I could win back in Kate's mind any ground which I'd lost before. I paraded the deck before her eyes; I gave commands; I was the man of the hour; I was driving the _Heron_ to the sh.o.r.e in spite of the fire.”

”You were,” admitted Harrigan sadly. ”It was a great work you did, McTee. It was that which won her--”

”But even when I was in command, you proved yourself the better man, Harrigan.”

The Irishman leaned back against the wall, gasping, weak with astonishment.

McTee went on: ”I paraded the deck; I made a play to make her admire me, and for a while I succeeded, until the time came when you were carried up to the deck too weak to keep the men at work in the fireroom. Ah, Harrigan, that was a great moment to me. I said to Kate: 'Harrigan has done well, but of course he can't control men--his mind is too simple.'”

”Did you say that?” murmured Harrigan, and hatred made his voice soft, almost reverent.

”I did, and I went on: 'I suppose I'll have to go down there and drive the lads back to their work.' So down I went, but you know what happened. They wouldn't work for me. They stood around looking stupid at me and left me alone in the fireroom, and I had to come back on deck, in the sight of Kate, and rouse you out of your sleep and beg you to go back and try to make the lads keep at their work. And you got up to your knees, struggling to get back your consciousness! And you staggered to your feet, and you called to the firemen who lay senseless and sick on the deck around you--sick for sleep--and when they heard you call, they got up, groaning, and they reeled after you back to their work in the fireroom, and some of them dragged themselves along on their hands and knees. Oh, G.o.d!”

He struck his clenched fist across his eyes.

”And all the time I was watching the awe and the wonder come up like a fire in the eyes of Kate, while she looked after you.”

Harrigan watched him with the same stupid amazement.

”Harrigan,” said McTee at last, ”you've won her. When I walked out by myself today, I saw that I was the only obstacle between her and her happiness. She doesn't dare tell you she loves you, for fear that I'll try to kill you. So I've decided to step out from between--I _have_ stepped out! I'm going back to Scotland and get into the war. If I have fighting enough, I can forget the girl, maybe, and you! I've talked to the British consul already, and he's given me a note that will take me over the water. So, Harrigan, I've merely come to say good-by to you-- and you can say good-by for me to Kate.”

”Wait,” said Harrigan. ”There are a good many kinds of fools, but a Scotch fool is the worst of all. Take that paper out of your pocket and tear it up. Ah-h, McTee, ye blind man! Can't ye see that gir-rl's been eatin' out her hear-rt for the love av ye, d.a.m.n your eyes? Can't ye see that the only thing that keeps her from throwin' her ar-rms around your neck is the fear of Harrigan? Look!”

He pulled out the note which the consul had given him.

”I've got the same thing you have. I'm going to go over the water. I tell you, I've seen her eyes whin she looked at ye, McTee, an' that's how I know she loves ye. Tear up your paper! A blight on ye! May ye have long life and make the girl happy--an' rot in h.e.l.l after!”

”By G.o.d,” said McTee, ”we've both been thinking the same thing at the same time. And maybe we're both wrong. Kate said she had something to say to us. Let's see her first and hear her speak.”

”It'll break my heart to hear her confess she loves ye, McTee--but I'll go!”

They went to the sleepy clerk behind the desk and asked him to send up word to Miss Malone that they wished to see her.

”Ah, Miss Malone,” said the clerk, nodding, ”before she left--”

”Left?” echoed the two giants in voices of thunder.

”She gave me this note to deliver to you.”

And he pa.s.sed them the envelope. Each of them placed a hand upon it and stared stupidly at the other.

”Open it!” said Harrigan hoa.r.s.ely.

”I'm troubled with my old failing--a weakness of the eyes,” said McTee.

”Open it yourself.”

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