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"Dey vouldn't do you any good, Nicklestick," said Mr. Block, "unless you had his money too also." "If I had his brains," said Mr. Nicklestick, "he wouldn't have his money, so what's the difference?" Mr.
Nicklestick, very superior in his red two piece "costume," goes so far as to contend that a man never should be without a bathing-suit, because, says he, "it takes up no room in your trunk, and if you leave it at home some one else is sure to stretch it so's you can't use it yourself again."
"Try one of these cigars, Mr. Landover," said Mr. Nicklestick persuasively. "Of course, they're nothing like the kind you smoke, but " "Is mine out? So it is. No, thank you. I'll take a match, however, if you have one about you." Four boxes were hastily thrust upon the great financier. "Haf you noticed how poor the matches are lately, Mr. Landover?" complained Mr. Block.
Only those who toil in the forests don the uncouth boots turned out by the firm of cobblers known as Block & Nicklestick. Shoes, boots and slippers of another day are zealously guarded by their owners, in anticipation of still another day, the day of deliverance. "Waste not, want not," is the motto of Trigger Island.
"Oh, yes," replied Mr. Nicklestick. "We were in the same lifeboat, Mr. Landover, you know, all night, you know, Mr. Landover." Early the next morning, Percival turned out long before there were any sounds from the galley or dining-room. The sun had not yet cleared the tree-tops to the east; the decks of the Doraine were still wet with dew.
Percival was suddenly conscious of a mist bedimming his eyes. Several people were grouped near them at the rail, listening to Nicklestick. The stowaway joined them. As if sensing his presence, Ruth turned suddenly and saw him. "Oh!" she cried, tremulously. "Have have you seen it, Mr. Percival?" "No," he replied. "It won't be visible for an hour or so longer. It's off there all right, though.
There was not a trace of grey in his dark hair. He typified strength, mentality, shrewdness and that most essential quality in the standards of wealth and power, arrogance. In a word, he personified Finance. "Now, see here, Percival," began Nicklestick, in a most cavalier manner, greatly encouraged by the lofty conduct of the Money King, "you know you can't do this sort of thing.
We won't stand for it, not for a minute. We object to this high-handed business. You got to realize that " "Object and be hanged!" snapped Percival. "The next thing, you'll be calling yourselves conscientious objectors. Well, it's no use, Nicklestick. There's no such animal on board this Ark. I see a couple of boats returning from shore.
Nicklestick, "that guy knows a good deal more about what is going on aboard this ship than he lets on. He ain't as simple as he looks. I told Captain Trigger just now that he ought to give him a dose of the third degree. That's the way to get to the bottom of this business. String him up by the thumbs till he squeals. What say, Mr. Fitts?" Mr. Fitts, the architect, was a mild man.
The lookout, Captain Trigger and several others got a glimpse of it before the sun began to pull the mist up to obscure it for a little while. That's mist over there," he went on, turning to Nicklestick. "You couldn't see the Andes Mountains if they were where that strip of land is hidden. It won't be long, Miss Clinton, before we all can see it."
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