hat may develop, I shall be at hand. I shall not be more
than an hour's run distant, and if you want me at a time when my boy is
not available just say to the dwarf at the stockade gate: 'The Dog
Bites!' and I shall be with you quickly. But I ask you not to turn in
that message until you feel you cannot handle things without me."

Vandersee departed, leaving behind him an impression of subtle power and
iron determination. Little looked thoughtful for a space. He fumbled
with his inside coat pocket, withdrew his hand, hesitated, then went
back to the pocket again, while Barry stared moodily up through the
skylight, listening to the sound of the second mate's retreating
footsteps.

"Mystery, and more of it!" the skipper muttered at last. He regarded
Little whimsically and surmised aloud: "Next thing, I suppose you'll
flash a document that deposes me and puts the cook in charge."

"Hardly that, Barry, but I've got a paper," replied Little, coloring
deeply. He produced the cause of his embarrassment from the inside
pocket. "I wasn't to play this until Gordon was present," he said. "But
since Houten apparently keeps hold of all the strings, even at this
distance, I'd better lay all my cards on the table," and he handed the
letter to Barry.

The skipper glanced through the note perfunctorily, then some part of it
riveted his notice, and he read the rest avidly. Like Vandersee's
letter, it was brief and comprehensive. It authorized Little to
supersede Gordon at the trading station, if in his opinion the situation
seemed to warrant such a course. And, as in the Hollander's orders,
Little's letter concluded with the definite statement that Barry was
not in any degree less captain of the ship and commander-in-chief of the
expedition. In the last recourse, every man who had sailed in the ship
from Surabaya was to hold himself at the skipper's orders.

The two friends regarded each other intently when the letter was laid
down, Little almost shamefacedly, the skipper as if on the border line
of a disgusted withdrawal from the involved business. Presently Little
ventured:

"Sorry Houten thought it necessary to make all this mystery, Barry; and
if you say so, I'll relinquish any powers this letter gives me to you.
We should have no secrets between us; I've simply carried out my
employer's orders. It isn't my wish."

"Don't fuss yourself," retorted Barry grimly. "I don't blame you. Just
don't fancy sailing under sealed orders,