Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-11-26

ing his brain.
why did you drug meY" he de
manded. Pretty high-handed. / can
make you pay for this"
Yes? How7 When? We're well
or Cape Mendocino, heading nor'west
or Whereabouts. Nothing between us
and Unalaska 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 it
was, raving the way he did It's
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
it 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 it. But you'd
have been an uncertain factor, a weak
link. You knew too much. Suppose
the Karluk fought up to Kotzebue bay
and found a dozen power-vessels hang
ing about, waiting for us to lead them
to the beach? And we'd have worried
all the way up, with you loose.
Il don't suppose your salary is much
over thirty week, is it? Now, then,
here you are in for touch of real ad-
venture, better than cleaning dock
gossip, to a red-blooded man. If we
Win-and you saw the gold-you
win. We expect to give you share.
More than you'd earn in ten years.
likely, more than you'd be apt to save
in lifetime. We kidnapped you 70"
your own good. You're a prisoner de
luxe with the run Of the ship"
Il 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
Stunning control.
An" The doctor appeared to dis
miss the subject with some relief.
We'll" 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 prodigal who has
come back with the fatted calf in
stead of hungry for it."
THAT part of it is all right" said
Rainey. There was no help for the
situation, save to make the most of
it and the best but I'd like to ask
you a question"
Go ahead. Have a cigarette?"
Rainey would rather have taken 1t
from anyone else, but the Whit of
burning tobacco, as Carlson lit up,
gave him an irresistible craving for
smoke Besides, it wouldn't do for
the doctor to know he mistrusted him.
life, there was small sense in acting
pettishly. He took the cigarette, ac-
cepted the light, and inhaled crate
fully.
What's 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 natter"
You're asking a good deal for an
outsider II seems TO me, Rainey
came to you partly as your doctor.
But / speak for the captain and the
crew. Don't worry about that"
"And Lund?" Bainey had gathered
-
Carlsens eyes narrowed.
"Iund will be taken care Of" he
said and. for the life of him, Rainey
could not judge the statement for
threat or friendly promise CAS- for
my status, ] expect TO be Captain
/ Slmms' son-in-law as soon as the trip
is over"
"All right" said Rainey Carlsen's
announcement surprised him Some
how he could not place the girl as the
doctors fiancee.
He rose and bgthed face and hands
Carlson 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 50
hanging here and there A canary
chirped up and broke into rolling song
It was all homy, innocuous. Yet he
had been drugged at the same table
not so long before. And now be was
pledged a share Of ungathered gold. II
was a far cry back to his desk In the
/ Times office.
A japanese entered, sturdy. Of
Whitehead figure, deft, polite, incurl-
Gus. He 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,
/ especially with the coffee.
Thanks. Tamada," he said az he
/ pushed aside his plate at last.
Everything alright, sir?" purred
I the japanese.
EAiney nodded. The "slr" was re-
assuring. He was accepted as q some
! body aboard the Karluk. Tamad4
/ cleared away swiftly, and Rairey felt