be an empty hole in the
ground. But 'nothing venture, nothing have'; and with all the evidence
we have, I'm willing to take a chance."

"So am I!" cried Tyke heartily. "Of course, we stand to lose a tidy
little sum if it should turn out to be a fluke. There's the outfitting
to be done, the crew's wages to be paid, an' a lot of other expenses
that'll mount up into money. But it's worth a chance, and if we lose
I'm willing to stand the gaff without whining."

It goes without saying that Drew heartily echoed these sentiments in
his mind, but he felt some delicacy about expressing them. After all,
it was Captain Hamilton and his employer who would have to provide the
funds for the expedition and stand the loss if there were any. He
himself would be called on to risk nothing.

And with this thought came another with the suddenness of a stab. On
what was he building his hopes for a share in the profits of the
adventure? After all, he was only Tyke's employee. The very time he
was spending in unraveling this mystery belonged to Tyke and was paid
for by him. He felt again the weight of his chains, and the air castle
he had built for Ruth's occupancy suddenly took on the iridescent
colors of a bubble.

"Well, now that we've got down to brass tacks as you say, Tyke, let's
get along to the next point," said the captain briskly. "I don't
suppose you could come along with me?"

"You don't!" snorted Tyke. "Well then, you're due for another guess.
You bet your binoculars I'm coming along. I'd like to see anything
that would stop me!"

Drew's heart sank. If Tyke were going, that would mean that he would
have to stay behind to look after the interests of the chandlery shop.

"But your business?" objected the captain.

"Business be hanged!" roared Tyke. "It can go to Davy Jones, for all I
care. Anyway, I can leave it in good hands. But I'm going to have one
more sight of blue water before I turn up my toes for good, no matter
what happens. An' I'm going to take Allen along with me!"

Drew was struck dumb for the moment and could only stare at the excited
old man.

"Yes!" repeated Tyke, "he's going to have his fling along with the rest
of us. We ought to be back in a couple of months, if we have any kind
of luck. Winters is a bright boy, and he can keep things going for a
while."

"That'll be fine," said the captain with enthusiasm. "I'd like nothing
better than to have the two of you for messmates."