Page:Arthur Stringer - Gun Runner.djvu/174

 "Are you the master of this ship?" he demanded.

"I'm the master of this situation," calmly replied the wireless operator with a pregnant upthrust of the revolver which he still held in his hand. "And before our little party breaks up I'm going to understand what it means."

"Then ask this woman what she stole from me."

McKinnon had to feel and test his way as he went, like a man on thin ice.

"You mean for the woman to speak first?"

"Yes," retorted Ganley; "and she's going to do more than speak."

McKinnon turned to the woman, who stood still staring at him in unbroken and puzzled silence.

"Well?" he said at last.

"What must I explain?" she finally asked, still studying his face.

"What you carried out of my cabin," answered Ganley.

"You want me to explain that?" she asked, her eyes on the younger man's face.

"Yes," answered the operator.

"Must I tell you?" still parried the perplexed woman.

"You must," McKinnon replied.

"It was the contract made between this man