cut it short," interjected Barry impatiently. "I admit your greater
knowledge in this, Vandersee. What shall I do? Wait here for daylight,
then try back after him?"

"Wait for daylight, yes. But instead of trying back, my advice is that
you proceed straight up the river and find Mr. Houten's gold sands,
Captain. I have other work, not connected in any way with gold dust, but
our paths must surely meet shortly. When I told you that I was always in
reach of a message delivered to the gateman I meant just that. I shall
be within reach of you, too, wherever you are; and so long as you have
left orders regarding that message with Mr. Rolfe, we shall all come out
right. If I may presume to remind you, your first duty is to clear up
the mystery of those gold deposits for Mr. Houten. Until that is done
our tasks lie apart somewhat. But the moment you have satisfied yourself
and Mr. Little on that score, I shall call on you for assistance in my
own work, if you care to render it. It is not obligatory on you,
though."

"All right," returned Barry; "then since you appear to hold all the
trump cards perhaps you can give me a hint where this gold washing is
done, for all Little has found out is that it's somewhere on the main
river."

"Yes, Captain. If you hug the left bank all the way you'll find water
enough, and there is no baffling stream on that side to give you
uncertainty. You can't miss it. You'll find Houten's men working there,
and it's only twenty miles up from here. Is there anything else?"

"No, unless I repeat that I'd like to know more about the side issues of
this thing, for I'm darned if I like this blind alley work."

Barry's tone was disgruntled, and even the volatile spirit of Little had
lost its bubbling quality with the night's mystery and darkness.
Vandersee laughed softly, pleasantly, and replied:

"Sorry I can't give you more light just now. It would injure my own
plans, which, as I have told you, are apart from yours at present but
will merge very soon. One thing, though, if you intend waiting for
daylight it would be better to shift over to the other side of the river
before you tie up. Now I'll go, gentlemen, for I hear one of my boys
with news. Good luck to you."

Nobody had heard a sound, save the indescribable night voices of the
jungle and the rippling of the black waters; yet the big Hollander's
ears had heard something different, and as he spoke he swung his huge
bulk out of the boat and up