ger. He guessed why
Phips had not told Gering, and he foresaw trouble. He trusted, however,
to the time that had passed since the kidnapping, and on Gering's hunger
for treasure. Phips had compromised, and why not he? But if Gering was
bent on trouble, why, there was the last resource of the peace-lover. He
tapped the rapier at his side. He ever held that he was peaceful, and
it is recorded that at the death of an agitated victim, he begged him to
"sit still and not fidget."

He laid no plans as to what he should do when Gering came. Like the true
gamester, he waited to see how he should be placed; then he could draw
upon his resources. He was puzzled about Radisson, but Radisson could
wait; he was so much the superior of the coarser villain that he gave
him little thought. As he waited he thought more about the treasure at
hand than of either--or all--his enemies.

He did not stir, but kept drumming till he knew that Gering was aboard,
and heard his footsteps, with the captain's, coming. He showed no
excitement, though he knew a crisis was at hand. A cool, healthy sweat
stood out on his forehead, cheeks and lips, and his blue eyes sparkled
clearly and coldly. He rose as the two men appeared.

Phips had not even told his lieutenant. But Gering knew Bucklaw at the
first glance, and his eyes flashed and a hand went to his sword.

"Captain Phips," he said angrily, "you know who this man is?"

"He is the guide to our treasure-house, Mr. Gering."

"His name is Bucklaw--a mutineer condemned to death, the villain who
tried to kidnap Mistress Leveret."

It was Bucklaw that replied. "Right--right you are, Mr. Gering. I'm
Bucklaw, mutineer, or what else you please. But that's ancient--ancient.
I'm sinner no more. You and Monsieur Iberville saved the maid I meant
no harm to her; 'twas but for ransom. I am atoning now--to make your
fortune, give you glory. Shall by-gones be by-gones, Mr. Gering? What
say you?"

Bucklaw stood still at the head of the table. But he was very watchful.
What the end might have been it is hard to tell, but a thing occurred
which took the affair out of Gering's hands.

A shadow darkened the companion-way, and Radisson came quickly down. His
face was sinister, and his jaws worked like an animal's. Coming to the
table he stood between Gering and Bucklaw, and looked from one to the
other. Bucklaw was cool, Gering very quiet, and he misinterpreted.

"You are great friends, eh, all together?" he sai