ck up on Gordon and
call Leyden's hand when he arrives. That's plenty for two ordinary men.
The why and wherefore of mysterious women has nothing to do with me."

"We-ell," Little drawled, lazily lighting a cheroot, "anything you say
suits me, but I'll tell you my idea right now: That Goring woman came
here in this blessed brigantine, Barry!"

Barry stared at his companion in open amazement. Amazement slowly
changed to mild scorn, and a sarcastic opinion of such an idea was on
his lips when Vandersee emerged from his berth, dressed to go ashore,
and halted the expression of it.

"The first part of my contract is completed, Captain Barry," the second
mate said respectfully. He smiled at Little and laid an open letter
before the skipper. "This will explain, sir."

Barry stared at the man for a moment, then frowningly perused the note.
It was in the heavy hand of Cornelius Houten, written on the trader's
business stationery. In brief, it was authority for Vandersee to leave
the ship, if he so desired, immediately he had docked her at the post,
and to rejoin her one day before she was ready to leave. Houten
emphasized the point that Vandersee enjoyed his utter confidence, and
anything he wanted that the ship afforded was to be at his service.
Houten desired Barry to understand that his absolute command of the
_Barang_ was in no way interfered with: simply that Vandersee was
engaged on a definite and separate mission for the house, but had agreed
to act on the passage as second mate and to pilot the ship up the river.

"You know the contents?" Barry queried, peering up at the big man beside
him.

"Perfectly, sir."

"Well? Anything you want?"

"Not much, Captain. Simply permission to go at once and to take a box of
ammunition specially placed on board for my Luger automatic pistol. I
shall send a boy each morning with any news that should interest you and
to receive any information you care to give me regarding the future
sailing of the ship."

"All right, Vandersee. You may go. Going on a still hunt after the gold
dust I'm supposed to unearth, hey?"

"No, sir. I'm not meddling with your affairs in the least. My business
is entirely apart from yours, though our paths may cross to our mutual
advantage. And I wish to say, Captain Barry and Mr. Little, that I am
anxious for your success; far more so than you can possibly imagine. We
have much in common, which I cannot speak of now. But if you need me in
any tussle t