"What is it that's got
him?" Joel asked.

"I've told him about the pearls," Mark chuckled. "He's wild to be after
them...."

Joel turned on his brother hotly. "You're mad, Mark," he snapped. "That
is no word to be loose in the ship."

"I've but told Finch," Mark protested. "It's mirthful to watch the man
wiggle."

"He'll tell the ship. His tongue wags unceasingly."

Mark lifted his shoulders. "Tell him to be silent. You should keep order
on your ship, Joel."

Joel beckoned, and Finch came toward them. As he came, he fought for self
control; and when he stood before them, his lips were twisting into
something like a smile, and his eyes were shifty and gleaming. Joel said
quietly:

"Mr. Finch, my brother says he has told you his story."

"Yes, sir," said Finch. "An extraordinary adventure, Captain Shore."

"I think it best the men should know nothing about it," Joel told him.
"You will please keep it to yourself."

Finch grinned. "Of course, sir. There's no need they should have any
share in them."

Joel flushed angrily. "We are not going after them. I consider it
dangerous, and unwise."

Over Finch's fat cheeks swept a twitching grimace of dismay. "But I
thought...." He looked at Mark, and Mark was chuckling. "It's so easy,
sir," he protested. "Just go, and get them.... Rich...."

Joel shook his head. "Keep silent about the matter, Finch."

Finch slowly bowed his head, and he smirked respectfully. "Very well,
Captain Shore," he agreed. "You always know best, sir."

He turned away; and after a little Mark said softly: "You have him well
trained, Joel. Like a little dog.... I wonder that you can handle men
so...."

Two days later, Joel knew that either Finch or Mark had told the tale
anew. Young Dick Morrell came to him with shining eyes. "Is it true, sir,
that we're going after the pearls your brother hid?" he asked. "I just
heard...."

Joel gripped the boy's arm. "Who told you?"

Morrell twisted free, half angry. "I--overheard it, sir. Is it true?"

"No," said Joel. "We're a whaler, and we stick to our trade."

Dick lifted both hands, in a gesture almost pleading. "But it would be so
simple, sir...."

"Keep the whole matter quiet, Morrell," Joel told him. "I do not wish the
men to know of it. And if you hear any further talk, report it to me."

Morrell's eyes were sulky. He said slowly: "Yes, sir." The set of his
shoulders, as he stalked forward, seemed to Joel defiant....

Within the week,