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In spite of the mystery about me, I set my brain to work trying to remember what particular ice-factory sounded just like Thirkle's breathing. "I'll hold him, Rajah," said Captain Riggs. "Go get the other," and the figure of the Malay boy sprang from the boat and leaped toward Petrak. The little red-headed man gave an incoherent gurgle, and he took to his heels down the beach.

He had caught enough in Thirkle's manner since the death of Buckrow to see that he was not going to get a just division of the loot, at the very least, and, knowing the ruthlessness of his master, he had doubts about escaping with his life. Besides, I believed he had been tempted by the thought that he might kill Thirkle and then have it all to himself. "He told Long Jim to kill you?

He may let us help him get a boat into the water, but that's all. He'll murder both of us like dogs." "Old Thirkle's all right," he said weakly, as if he felt the truth of what I said, but lacked courage to attack Thirkle. "Reddy, he'll kill you!" I went on, seeing that I was on the right track, and that fear of death at Thirkle's hands was uppermost in his mind.

"You fool, he'll kill you as I told you he would, but you are too late now." "Oh, Thirkle's all right," he grumbled; but he seemed worried since he had given up the pistols, and he saw plainly enough that Thirkle's manner had changed in no undecided way since Petrak had surrendered his weapons. "All clear," said Thirkle, as we came out.

But I had a general idea that by turning sharply to the right I might come across the trail, and, even if it happened to be below where the captain and Rajah had stopped, I could soon come up with them. There was nothing to gain by keeping after Reddy and Long Jim, now that I was sure they were running away from Thirkle's camp rather than toward it.

Thirkle, and I'll thank ye to pipe down and wait until we ask ye to talk." "What's up now, Bucky?" asked Petrak. "What's wrong now, and what's wrong with Thirkle's head? Been up " "We got Thirkle, too, that's what. He tried to do for me and I sapped him, and there he is, nice as pie. Wanted it all, he did, Reddy. Don't he look calm and peaceful there, with his hands crossed like a dead one?

I tried to open my eyes, but couldn't. "Then the Kut Sang didn't go down at all," said Thirkle's voice. "Nice job you two will have getting clear of this place with the gold now. Our dear friend, Mr. Trenholm isn't alone, I'll bet a hat on that." "Bet yer hat with the devil himself for all the good it will bring," growled Buckrow. "This ain't none of your affair, Mr.

The two of you'll hang; and it's Thirkle that says it, and Thirkle knows. But Thirkle can help ye if ye let him." "Taffy he's givin' us now, Reddy," said Buckrow, seeing that Petrak was being impressed by Thirkle's argument. "Ye'll hang, the two of ye," said Thirkle. "Taffy, if ye like, Mr. Buckrow." "They'll have to take me first, and that's not so easy as ye make it," blustered Buckrow.

I could hear him breathing gently as he came down one step at a time, and from the light "smack" on each succeeding board I knew that he was barefooted. He was feeling his way along, as if in strange territory, and I knew that it could be neither one of the Chinese crew nor one of Thirkle's band.

"Of course he will if we stand here and argue about it until it is too late!" I stormed at him. "Pass me a gun don't be a fool, Reddy. Quick! Cut these ropes from my hands and give me a pistol and let me show you how to draw your Mr. Thirkle's teeth!" "What's all this social chatter between you two?" demanded Thirkle from the entrance to the crevice.