Part 10 (2/2)

”When's this coming off?” asked Rainey.

”Quick! They're goin' to sight land ter-morrer, they say. I heard that this mornin'. I hid in my bunk. It heads ag'inst the wall of the hunters' mess an', if it's quiet, you can hear what they say.

”They ain't goin' in to Bering Strait through Unimak Pa.s.s. They're goin'

in through Amukat or Seguam Pa.s.s. An' they'll put it up to Lund an' the skipper somewheres close by there. An' that's where you two'll get put off, if you don't fall in line.”

”All right, Sandy. You're smarter than I thought you were. Sure of all this?”

”I ain't much to look at, sir, but I ain't had to buck my own way without gittin' on ter myself. You won't give me away, though? They'd keelhaul me.”

”I won't. You cut along. And if we happen to come out on top, Sandy, I'll see that you get a share out of it.”

”Thank you, sir.”

”I'll come out with you,” said Rainey. ”If any one comes in before you get clear, I'll give you an order. I sent for you, understand.”

But Sandy got back into the galley without any trouble. Rainey began to pace the cabin again, and then went back into his own room to line the thing up. Lund was asleep, but he would waken him, he decided, filled with admiration at the blind man's sagacity and the way he had foreseen the general situation.

There was not much time to lose. He did not see what they could do against the proposition. He was sure that Lund would not consent to it.

And he might have some plan. He had hinted that he had cards up his sleeve.

What Carlsen's ultimate plans were Rainey did not bother himself with.

That it meant the fooling of the whole crew he did not doubt. He intended eventually to gather all the gold. And the girl--she would be in his power. But perhaps she wanted to be? Rainey got out of his blind alley of thought and started into the main cabin to give Lund the news.

The girl was coming out of her father's room.

”Any better?” asked Rainey.

”No. I can't understand it. He seems hardly to know me. Doctor Carlsen came along because of father's sciatica, but--there's something else--and the doctor can't help it any. I can't quite understand--”

She stopped abruptly.

”Have you known the doctor long?” asked Rainey.

”For a year. He lives in Mill Valley, close to my uncle. I live with my father's brother when father is at sea. But this time I wanted to be near him. And the doctor--”

Again she seemed to be deliberately checking herself from a revelation that wanted to come out.

”Did he practise in Mill Valley? Or San Francisco?” asked Rainey, remembering Lund's outburst against Carlsen's professional powers.

”No, he hasn't practised for some years. That was how it happened he was able to go along. Of course, father promised him a certain share in the venture. And he was a friend.”

She trailed off in her speech, looking uncertainly at Rainey. The latter came to a decision.

”Miss Simms,” he said, ”are you going to marry Doctor Carlsen?”

Suddenly Rainey was aware that some one had come into the cabin. It was Carlsen, now swiftly advancing toward him, his face livid, his mouth snarling, and his black eyes devilish with mischief.

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