Pagina 164 di 416

She had unconsciously submitted him to a final test. He was about

to let her carry out her threat if she saw fit when his cupidity

overcame him. He reached out his hand, and she dropped the ring

into it. She stood silent, pale, and cold, waiting for him to go.

He moved away. He had reached the foot of the companionway when

he turned back.

"He has brought me to this," he said so slowly and evilly that

each word seemed a drop of venom. "But I'll make him pay. I'm

goin' to St. John's, and when I get back it will be the sorriest

day in his life and yours, too. His life won't be worth the

thread it hangs on!"

With that he went up the companionway and, not noticing the

greeting of Captain Tanner, dropped into his yellow dory that

swung and bumped against the Rosan's side. Swiftly he rowed to

the Nettie B. and clambered aboard, bellowing orders to get up

sail. In fifteen minutes the schooner was on the back track under

every stitch of canvas she carried.