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

AAlS MS bAuAHs
why did you drug me?" he de
manded. Pretty high-handed. / can
make you pay for this"
Yes? How2 When? We're well
off 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 il
was, raying 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
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 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 a week, is it2 Now, then,
here you are in for touch of real ad-
venture, better than cleaning dock
gossip, to red-blooded man. If we
win-and you saw the gold--you
win. We expect to give you a share.
More than you'd earn in ten years,
likely, more than you'd be apt TO save
in lifetime. We kidnapped you TO"
your own good. You're a prisoner de
luxe, with the run Of the ship"
Il can work my passage" said
Ralney. He didn't trust the doctor,
though ne thought he'd play fair about
the gold. But it was funny, his AS
suming control.
"Ah!" The doctor appeared to dis
miss 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 prodlgal 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 It
from anyone else, but the Whit of
burning tobacco, as Carlson lit up
gave him an irresistible craving for
smoke. Besides, ii wouldn't do for
the doctor to know he mistrusted him.
If he was TO be a part Of the ships
life, there was small sense in acting
pettishly. He took the cigarette, ac-
cepted the light, and inhaled CRATE
fully.
What's the q2estlonY' 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 matter?'
you're asking good deal for an
outsider, It seems 10 me, Rainey. /
came to you partly as your doctor
But / speak for the captain ana the
crew. Don't worry about that"
"And Lund?" Rainey had gathered
that the doctor resented Lund.
Carlsen's eyes narrowed.
'Lund viii 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
simms' son-in-law as soon as the trip
is over"
"AIl right" said Rainey. CarIsen's
announcement surprised him. Some
how he could not place the girl as the
doctors fiancee.
He rose and bgtbed face and hands.
Carlson left the cabin. The main
room was empty when Rainey en-
tered, but there was 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 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 It
was a far cry back to his desk II the
Times office
A japanese entered, sturdy. Of
Whitehead figure, deft polite incurl-
Gus. He bad brough. 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 IS he
pushed aside his plate at last
Everything alright, sir" purred
the japanese.
Tafuey nodded The "sir" uas rp-
assuring. He was accepted az SOME
ho5v aboard the E8rluk. Tamad4
cleared away swiftly, and Ral1ev felt
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