nce
assured the chairman of the meeting, Dan DeMille, that no member of the
party was missing save the devoted Bragdon. Captain Perry was plainly
nervous and disturbed. The others were the victims of a suppressed
energy that presaged subsequent eruptions.

"Captain Perry, we are assembled here for a purpose," said DeMille,
clearing his throat three times. "First of all, as we understand it,
you are the sailing master of this ship. In other words, you are,
according to maritime law, the commander of this expedition. You alone
can give orders to the sailors and you alone can clear a port. Mr.
Brewster has no authority except that vested in a common employer. Am I
correct?"

"Mr. DeMille, if Mr. Brewster instructs me to sail for the North Cape,
I shall do so," said the captain, firmly. "This boat is his for the
full term of the lease and I am engaged to sail her with my crew until
the tenth of next September."

"We understand your position, captain, and I am sure you appreciate
ours. It isn't that we want to end a very delightful cruise, but that
we regard it as sheer folly for Mr. Brewster to extend the tour at such
tremendous expense. He is--or was--a rich man, but it is impossible to
ignore the fact that he is plunging much too heavily. In plain words,
we want to keep him from spending more of his money on this cruise. Do
you understand our position, Captain Perry?"

"Fully. I wish with all my soul that I could help you and him. My hands
are tied by contract, however, much as I regret it at this moment."

"How does the crew feel about this additional trip, captain?" asked
DeMille.

"They shipped for five months and will receive five months' pay. The
men have been handsomely treated and they will stick to Mr. Brewster to
the end," said the captain.

"There is no chance for a mutiny, then?" asked Smith regretfully. The
captain gave him a hard look, but said nothing. Everybody seemed
uncomfortable.

"Apparently the only way is the one suggested by Mr. Smith this
morning," said Mrs. Dan, speaking for the women. "No one will object, I
am sure, if Captain Perry and his chief officers are allowed to hear
the plan."

"It is very necessary, in fact," said Mr. Valentine. "We cannot proceed
without them. But they will agree with us, I am sure, that it is wise."

An hour later the meeting broke up and the conspirators made their way
to the deck. It was a strange fact that no one went alone. They were in
groups of thre