of the island of Yesso and the Gulf of
Tartary?"

"I cannot say that I have any at all, sir," the other replied. "But I
could easily make inquiries from men who have sailed in them, and
procure some charts from Potter, if you consider it necessary."

"I should do so if I were you," said Browne; "it is always as well to
be prepared. In the meantime, Mason, I want you to keep what I have
said to yourself. I have the most imperative reasons for making this
request to you. A little mistake in this direction may do me an
incalculable amount of harm."

Though he did not in the least understand what prompted the request,
the captain willingly gave his promise. It was easy for Browne,
however, to see that it had caused him considerable bewilderment.

"And there is one other point," Browne continued. "I want you to be
more than ordinarily careful that the crew you take with you are the
best men procurable. I am not going to say any more to you, but leave
you to draw your own conclusions, and to bear in mind that this voyage
is likely to be one of the most, if not _the_ most, important I have
ever undertaken. You have been with me a good many years now, and you
were with my father before me--it is not necessary for me to say not
only as captain, but also as a man who is an old and well-tried friend."

"I thank you, sir, for what you have said," said the captain. "In
reply, I can only ask you to believe that, happen what may, you will
not find me wanting."

"I am quite sure of that," said Browne, holding out his hand.

The captain took it, and, when he had shaken it as if he would
dislocate it at the shoulder, bade his employer good-bye and left the
room.

"So much for breaking the news to Mason," said Browne to himself, when
the door had closed behind the skipper. "Now I must see Jimmy Foote,
and arrange it with him."

He glanced at his watch, and found that it wanted only a few minutes to
twelve o'clock. Ringing the bell, he bade the footman telephone to the
Monolith Club, and inquire whether Mr. Foote were there; and if he were
not, whether they could tell him where it would be possible to find
him. The man disappeared upon his errand, to return in a few moments
with the information that Mr. Foote had just arrived at the club in
question.

"In that case," said Browne, "beg the servants to tell him that I will
be there in ten minutes, and that I want to see him on most important
business. Ask him not t