y saw the significance of the hint and
Jim's face got stern.

"There's something else," Martin resumed. "Davies has left me and
gone back to Baumstein."

"Gone back?" Jake exclaimed.

"Sure," said Martin, quietly. "I didn't know he'd worked for the
fellow when I hired him. Now I've a notion he's been Baumstein's man,
not mine, all the time."

Jim clenched his fist and Carrie's eyes sparkled. "We're up against a
poisonous crook," she said, and looked at Jim. "You see why he made us
trouble? He wanted to break us, so we'd sell him the Bluebird cheap."

"It's pretty plain. All the same, I don't see what I ought to do about
it. Martin's plan doesn't quite meet the bill: I'd sooner try
something a little more vigorous."

Carrie shook her head. "You mustn't be a fool! The best way to play
that kind of man is to use him. When he finds out it will hurt most."

Jim hesitated. He remembered the blow they had got at the beginning of
the struggle and all that Carrie had borne. Baumstein's plot had
drained their resources and made her suffer.

"Martin's plan is best; you must agree," she urged.

"Very well," said Jim. "Jake can see the fellow and begin the
negotiations; I'll come in afterwards. Jake's something of a
philosopher, but I'd probably spoil the plot if I met Baumstein before
I cool."

Martin gave them some useful advice and then went away, and a few days
afterwards Baumstein sent a message. Jake played his part well;
indulging the other's pretended indifference and arguing for better
terms. Sometimes he seemed on the point of yielding, and then on his
next visit found grounds for delay. At length, when Baumstein was
getting impatient, Jake took Jim to the office.

Baumstein occupied a revolving chair in front of a fine hard wood desk,
and gave the others a sharp glance as they came in. The office was
very well furnished and Baumstein wore fashionable clothes. There was
a fine diamond in his ring. This annoyed Jim, who knew that while
hard-bitten prospectors braved the risks of starvation on the snowy
trail, greedy company-floaters often got the reward.

"I hope you have come to clinch the deal," Baumstein remarked. "I've
met your partner as far as I can, but the bargaining has gone on long
enough."

"Then you can't raise your price?" Jim asked.

Baumstein studied him. Winter had been compliant and apparently
anxious to sell, but there was something puzzling about his partner.
Bau