tch."

His tired comrades flung themselves down, and were almost instantly
asleep. As the dawn approached the wind lessened, and as the day broke,
he called Regnar, and again ascended the berg.

On the right hand towered the rock-bound coast of the northern islands
and the isolated crags of Bryon. And as they looked northward they saw
the pack opening again: as it issued from under the lee, a black cloud
of smoke rose from the sealer's funnel, but instead of steering east or
west, she was evidently heading for the great berg.

"Shall we await them here, or take our boat and try to reach them,
Regnar?" asked La Salle.

"Wait a little longer, and then, when the ice opens, push a little more
to the eastward, and work down to meet the vessel," said the lad, who
proceeded to examine the dagger so strangely returned to his keeping.
The blade unscrewed at the cross-piece of the hilt, which was hollow,
and contained many papers closely compressed into a single roll. Regnar
ran his eye over the contents, and selecting one, returned the rest to
their odd receptacle. "This paper, Charley, contains an inventory of the
property confided to Perry, to be equally divided between my half-sister
and myself." And he proceeded to translate the items of the inventory.
"It is hardly worth while to give this paper in full; suffice it to say
that besides various pictures, books, arrows, weapons, sets of plate,
jewels, and other heirlooms, 'stored in care of Nicholas Orloff, my
mother's brother,' there appeared a schedule of moneys and bonds
amounting to nearly one hundred thousand dollars. 'These funds have been
committed,' the paper went on to say, 'to my faithful friend Albert
Perry, whom I commend to your good offices and implicit trust.'"

As he ceased reading, the boy's face was turned to the ice-cliff, where
the plashing water flowed in a huge sheet, like a falling veil, over the
face of the berg, shutting out from sight the twining pillars and narrow
entrance of the sealer's tomb.

"I have rendered him the last 'good office,'" said he. "It only remains
to seek yonder vessel, and find out who spoiled the spoiler, and, if
possible, recover the valuables and papers taken from Perry's body."

"There is the steamer heading this way," said La Salle, "and the leads
are fast opening. Let us descend to the floe, and by the time we have
breakfasted, we shall find ample room between the fields to let us pass
in safety."

Descending, they