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"It might have been the shadow." "But it might not. Shouldn't wonder. One of 'em's sneaked in. Saw the cabin empty, an' figgered we'd turned in. While we was in the strong-room." He took the automatic from his pocket and went straight to the door of Carlsen's room. It was locked or bolted from within. "The fool!" said Lund.
If the girl slipped, Carlsen's hand would catch and steady her by the arm; never go about her waist. And there was no especial look of welcome in her face when the doctor came to her. Carlsen seldom took over the wheel. Rainey did more than his share from sheer love of feeling the control. But one day, at a word from the girl, Carlsen and she came up to Rainey as he handled the spokes.
I came to you partly as your doctor. But I speak for the captain and the crew. Don't worry 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.
"I didn't imagine there would be more than one." "I've got a hunch you'll find two on Carlsen's bunk. An' the shells between 'em. He kep' his door locked when he was out of the main cabin an' slep' on 'em nights. That's what I'd be apt to do." As they came into the main cabin Rainey caught Lund by the arm. "I'm almost sure I saw Carlsen's door closing," he whispered.
If I made the sacrifice how can I tell that Doctor Carlsen could would save him? What shall I do?" She was in an agony of self-questioning, of doubt. "To see him lie there like that. I can not bear it." "Miss Simms," said Rainey, "your father is not in his right mind or he would see Carlsen as you do, as I do. Carlsen's brain is turned with the lure of the gold.
Giant as he was, he moved with the grace of a panther, with a swiftness too fast for the eye to register. Something flashed in his right hand, a gun, that he had drawn from a holster slung over his left breast. The shots blended. Lund stood there erect, uninjured. A red blotch showed between Carlsen's eyes.
"As for my status, I expect to be Captain Simms' son-in-law as soon as the trip is over." "All right," said Rainey. Carlsen's announcement surprised him. Somehow he could not place the girl as the doctor's fiancée. "I suppose the captain may mention this matter," he queried, "to cement it?" "He may," replied Carlsen enigmatically. "Feel like getting up?" Rainey rose and bathed face and hands.
He paused at the little puddle of blood where Carlsen's head had struck the table, turned, and disappeared toward his galley, promptly emerging with a wet cloth. The girl put her hands over her eyes as Tamada methodically mopped up the telltale stains. "The brute!" she said. Then took away her hands and extended them toward Rainey. "What will he do with my father?" she said.
A knock came at the door, and it started to open. Carlsen entered. "Ah," he said. "I trust I have not disturbed you. I had no idea I should interrupt a tête-á-tête. Are you satisfied as to the captain's condition, Mr. Rainey?" Rainey looked the scoffing devil full in his eyes, and hot scorn mounted to his own so swiftly that Carlsen's hand fell away from the door jamb toward his hip.
Carlsen was the apparent controller of the schooner. Lund was quick to sense this. "We got to block that Carlsen's game," he said to Rainey. "There's a nigger in the woodpile somewhere an' you an' me got to uncover him, matey, afore we reach Bering Strait, or you an' me'll finish this trip squattin' on the rocks of one of the Four Mountain Islands makin' faces at the gulls.
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