Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 3 — page 19: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A MAN TO suppose any one has followed us. If they have, we’ve lost them in this fog. “But we didn’t take any risks after Lund’s blowing off. He might have done it ashore before you brought him aboard. I don’t think so. But he might. And so might you, later.” ‘““1’d have given you my word.” ‘And meant to keep it. But you’d have been an uncertain factor, a weak link. You might have given it away-in your sleep. You heard enough to figure the general locality of the island when Lund blurted it out. You knew too much. Suppose the Karluk fought up to Kotzebue Bay and found a dozen power-vessels hanging about, waiting for us to lead them to the beach? And we’d have worried all the way up, with you loose. You’re a newspaperman. The suppression of this yarn would have ob- sessed you, lain on your reportorial con- science. ‘“T don’t suppose your salary is much over thirty a week, is it? Now, then, here you are in for a touch of real adventure, better than gleaning dock gossip, to a red- blooded man. If we win—and you saw the gold—you win. We expect to give you a share. We haven’t taken it up yet, but it “ll be enough. More than you’d earn in ten years, likely. We kidnaped you for your own good. You’re a prisoner de luxe, with the run of the ship.” ‘TI can work my passage,” said Rainey. He could see the force of the doctor’s argu- ment, though he didn’t like the man. He didn’t trust the doctor, though he thought he’d play fair about the gold. But it was funny, his assuming control. : “Yachted a bit?” asked Carlsen. ce Yes.”’ “ Can you navigate?” Rainey thought he caught a hint of em- phasis to this question. ‘T can learn,” he said. idea of it.” “Got a general ‘“Ah!” The doctor appeared to dismiss ~ the subject with some relief. ‘‘ Well,” he went on, “are you open to reason—and food? I’m sorry about your friends and folks ashore, but you’re not the first prodi- gal who has come back with the fatted calf instead of hungry for it.” _for the captain and the crew. 329 “That part of it is all right,” said Rainey. There was no help for the situa- tion, save to make the most of it and the best. “But I’d like to ask you a ques- tion?”’ ‘“Go ahead. Have a cigarette?” Rainey would rather have taken it from any one else, but the whiff of the burning tobacco, as Carlsen lit up, gave him an irre- sistible craving for a smoke. Besides, it wouldn’t do for the doctor to know he mis- trusted him. If he was to be a part of the ship’s life, there was small sensé in acting pettishly. He took the cigarette, accepted the light, and inhaled gratefully. “ What’s. the question?” asked Carlsen. “You weren’t on the last trip. You weren’t in on the original deal. But I find you doing all the talking, making me offers. You drugged me on your own impulse. Where’s the skipper? How does he stand in this matter? Why didn’t he come to see me? What is your rating aboard?” “You're asking a good deal for an «ut- sider, it seems to me, Rainey. I came to you partly as your doctor. But I speak HIS MATE. about that.” “And Lund?” Rainey could not resist the shot. He had gathered that the doctor resented Lund. Carlsen’s eyes narrowed. “Lund will be taken care of,” he said, and, for the life of him, Rainey could not judge the statement for threat or friendly promise. ‘“‘ As for my status, I expect to be Captain Simms’s son-in-law as soon as the trip is over.” Don’t worry ‘All right,” said Rainey. Carlsen’s an- . nouncement surprised him. Somehow he could not place the girl as the doctor’s fiancée. “I suppose the captain may men- tion this matter,” he went on, “ to cement it?” “He may,” replied Carlsen enigmatic- ally. “* Feel like getting up?” Rainey rose and bathed face and hands. Carlsen left the cabin. The main room was empty when Rainey entered, but there was a place set at the table. light he noted, as he glanced at the telltale compass in the ceiling, that the sun was low toward the west. (EO) NOOK Through the sky-. ico