Washington telegraph., 1921-12-02

draft, which almost instantly relieved
him, cleansing his mouth and throat
and, as his headache died down, clear
ing his brain.
"Why did you drug meY" he de
manded. Pretty high-hsnded. / can
make you pay for this"
"Yes7 HOwg When? We're well
on Cape MendOcino. heading DOr'west
or thersabouts. Nothing between US
and Unslasks but fog and deep water.
Before we get back you'll see the pay
ment in a different light We're not
pirates. This was plain business. A
million or more in sight.
"Lund nearly spilled things as Il
was raving the way he did. It's a
wonder some one didn't overhear him
with sense enough to tumble.
But we didn't take any risks after
his blowing Off. He might have done
II ashore before you brought him
aboard. l don't think so. But he
might. And so might You, later"
I'D have given you my word"
"And meant to keep IL. But you'd
have been an uncertain factor, weak
link. You knew too much. Suppose
the Karluk fought up to Kotzebue bay
and found dozen power-vessels hang
ing about, waiting for us TO lead them
TO the beach? And we'd have worried
oil the way up, with you loose.
81 don't suppose your salary is much
l.
here you are ia for touch of real ad-
venture, better than cleaning dock
gossip, to red-blOoded man. II we
win-and you saw the gOld-yOu
win. We expect to give you n share.
More than you'd earn In ten years,
likely, more than you'd be apt to save
In a lifetime. We kidnapped you for
your own good. You're a prisoner de
luxe, with the run OF the ship"
81 can work my passage" said
Rainey. He didn't trust the doctor,
though he thought he'd play fair about
the gold. But it was funny, his as
suming control.
FAhl" The doctor appeared TO dis
miss the subject with some relief.
We'll" he went on, "are you open to
rhnson-and food? I'm sorry about
ybur friends and folks ashore, but
yPu're not the first prodlgal who has
ckme back with the fatted calf in
1lof kgngry for It.,
frae part OF 1t Is all right" said
Rhiney. There was no help for the
situation, save to make the most OF
ii and the best. "But I'd like TO ask
you a question"
go ahead. Have cigaretteT
Rainey would rather have taken II
from anyone else, but the whlff of
burning tobacco, as Carlsen lit up,
gave him an irresistible craving for n
smoke. Besides, 1t wouldn't do for
the doctor to know he mistrusted him.
II he was to be II part OF the ships
life. there was small sense in acting
pettishly. He took the cigarette, ac-
cepted the light. and inhaled CRATE
fully.
whats the question:" asked Carl
sen.
"You weren't on the last trip. You
weren't In on the original deal. But ]
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 matterr
you're asking good deal for an
outsider, 1t seems to me, Rainey. j
came to you partly as your doctor.
But speak for the captain and the
crew. Don't worry about that"
"And LundY" Rainey 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, | expect to be Captain
Slmms' sOn-in-law as soon as the trip
is over"
"AIl right" said Ralney. Carlsen's
announcement surprised him. Some
how he could not place the girl as the
Doctors fiancee.
He rose and bsthed face and hands.
Carlsen left the cabin. The main
room was empty when Rainey en-
tered, but there was a place set at the
table.
The main cabin was well appointed
in hardwood, with red cushions on the
transoms and a creeping plant or so
hanging here aud there. A canary
cblrped up and broke into rolling song.
II was all homy, innocuous. Yet he
had been drugged at the same table
NOT so long before And now he was
pledged share Of ungathcred gold. 1t
was a far cry bacE to bis desk in the
Tines office.
a Iaranesc entered sturdy Of
ullle-clad figure deft polite, incuri-
ors lie had brought in some ham
and eggs. strong coffee, sliced canned
peaches. bread and butter. He served
as Rainey ate heartily, feeling his
old self coming back with the food,
,..,,,,tollv with tho cOffeC.