The Secret of the Reef Part 29

They went back to the sleeping shack to get their clothes.

"What did you mean when you said he might not have the chance?" Jimmy asked.

"I have a suspicion that Hank will get his time in the next day or two.

The boss wouldn't want to make the thing too obvious, and Hank's a good chopper. There are some awkward trees to get down where he's working."

"But why should they want to get rid of him-or us?"

Bethune smiled grimly.

"I think we're marked men. We'll find out presently whether I'm right."

Bethune's forebodings proved correct, for only a few days elapsed before Moran joined him and Jimmy in Vancouver. After spending a week in searching for employment they got work with a lumber-rafting gang and kept it for a fortnight, when they were dismissed without any convincing reason being given.

On the evening after their return to the city they sat in a corner of the comfortless lobby at the hotel. It was quiet there because the other boarders lounged in tilted chairs before the big windows with their hats on and their feet supported by the radiator pipes, watching the pa.s.sers-by.

"I came across the fellow we got the pumps from this afternoon," Jimmy remarked. "The last time I saw him he was fairly civil, but he's turned abusive now. Wanted to know when we were going to pay him the rest of his money, and made some pointed observations about our character."

"That won't hurt us," laughed Bethune. "As we have nothing to give him and the sloop's safely hidden, he can't make much trouble. I heard something more interesting. An acquaintance of mine mentioned that they had a big lot of lumber to cut at the Clanch mill and wanted a few more men. If we could get a job there, we might hold it."

"It seems to me we can't hold anything," Jimmy grumbled. "Why that?"

Bethune chuckled in a manner that indicated that he knew more than he meant to tell.

"Boldness often pays, and I imagine that our mysterious enemies won't think of looking for us at the Clanch mill. We'll go out there to-morrow."

They found it a long walk over a wet road, for soon after they left the city rain began to fall. On applying at the mill gate, they were sent to the office, and Jimmy was standing, wet and moody, by the counter, waiting until a supercilious clerk could attend to him, when an inner door opened and a young man came out. Jimmy started as he recognized the yachtsman they had met on the island; but Aynsley moved forward with a smile.

"This is a pleasant surprise! I'm glad you thought of looking me up."

"As a matter of fact, we are looking for work," Bethune said laconically.

Aynsley laughed and indicated the door behind him.

"Go in and sit down. I'll join you in a minute or two, and we'll see what can be done."

They entered his private office, which was smartly furnished, and, being very wet, felt some diffidence about using the polished hardwood chairs.

The throb of engines and the scream of saws made it unlikely that their conversation could be overheard, and Jimmy turned to Bethune with a frown.

"You made a curious remark about boldness paying, when you suggested coming here. Did you know that young man was in charge?"

"No; it's an unexpected development. But I'll confess that I knew the mill belonged to his father."

"Clay?" Jimmy exclaimed. "The owner of the wreck?"

"Her late owner. She belongs to the underwriters now. It seems to me the situation has its humorous side; I mean our getting a job from the man who's been hunting us down."

"You suspected Osborne not long ago," Jimmy said shortly.

"They're partners; but, from what I've gathered, it's more likely that Clay's the man who's on our trail. We helped him to follow it by registering with an employment agent-and that makes me wonder whether it would be an advantage to change our names?"

"I'll stick to mine!" said Jimmy; and Moran declared his intention of doing the same.

"After all, it's a feeble trick and not likely to cheat the fellow we have to deal with," Bethune agreed. "He has obviously got a pretty accurate description of us."

"But would a man of his kind spend his time in tracking us? And wouldn't it lead to talk?"

Bethune laughed.

"He'll act through agents; there are plenty of broken-down adventurers in Vancouver who'd be glad to do his dirty work. These cities are full of impecunious wastrels; I was one myself."

"Perhaps we'd better clear out," suggested Jimmy. "I'd hate to take the fellow's pay."

"You needn't feel diffident. If it's any consolation, the mill foreman will get full value out of you. However-" Bethune broke off as Aynsley came in.

"The fishing doesn't seem to have been very profitable," he said, putting a box on the table. "Have a cigar."

"All we caught hardly paid for the net," Bethune replied. "On the whole, I don't think we'll smoke. Perhaps we had better not, so to speak, confuse our relations at the start. You see, though we didn't know you were the manager, we came along in the hope that you might have an opening for three active men."

"If I hadn't, I'd try to make one," Aynsley answered. "However, as it happens, we do need a few extra hands; but I'm afraid I've only rough work to offer."

"It couldn't be much rougher than we've been doing. I believe we can make ourselves useful; and that Hank here could move more lumber in a day than any man in your mill. But of course you're under no obligation to take us."

"We'll let that go; I need help. You can begin with the stacking gang, but something better may turn up. Now tell me something about your northern trip."

Bethune told him as much as he thought advisable, and, although he used tact, Aynsley gave him a keen glance now and then, as if he suspected some reserve. Before Aynsley could make a comment, Bethune stood up.

"I've no doubt you're a busy man," he said, "and we mustn't waste your time. Shall we make a start in the morning?"

"You can begin right now."

Aynsley rang a bell and handed them over to his foreman.

For some weeks the men remained contentedly at the mill. The work was hard, but the pay was fair, and the boarding arrangements good, and Aynsley seldom failed to give them a pleasant word as he pa.s.sed. Indeed, Jimmy felt a warm liking for him; and it was not by his wish but by Bethune's that their respective stations as employer and workmen remained clearly defined.

One day, when Aynsley had been absent for more than a week, the foreman came to them.

"I'm sorry you'll have to quit," he said. "We're paying off several of the boys."

"Quit!" Jimmy began indignantly; but he caught Bethune's warning look and added lamely, "Oh, well; I suppose it's by Mr. Clay's orders?"

"No, sir," the foreman answered unguardedly; "Mr. Aynsley had nothing to do with it. He didn't even know-" He broke off abruptly. "Anyhow, you're fired!"

He turned away from them quickly; and Bethune, sitting down on a pile of lumber, took out his pipe.

"Since I've got my notice with no reason given," he drawled, "I don't see why I should exhaust myself by carrying heavy planks about. Of course you noticed his statement that Mr. Aynsley was not responsible-though the fellow was afterward sorry he had made it. I'm of the opinion that there's something to be inferred from his use of our employer's Christian name, particularly as a big automobile stood at the gate for two hours yesterday. I shouldn't be surprised to learn that Clay, senior, had examined the pay-roll."

"What's the blamed hog aiming at in getting after us like this?"