Timmie smiled.  “I’ll be happy for the first time in twelve years when it’s gone,” he said.

“I say, Major,” exclaimed Bruce, “I’ve been thinking of those white reindeer.  Don’t you suppose that solves the problem of Peary’s white reindeer?”

There was a peculiar twinkle in the Major’s eye, as he asked:  “How do you make that out?”

“Well, there had been reindeer in Alaska for twenty-five years when Peary discovered his on the eastern coast of our continent.  There are many white ones among the domestic herds, and they are constantly wandering away, or being driven away, by packs of wolves.  If they wandered this far, might they not easily have gone on to the other side of the continent?”

“Possibly.  Possibly,” The twinkle in the Major’s eye grew brighter, but he said no more.  Presently he rose and stepped outside.

“Say!” exclaimed Barney, “I feel like turning right around and going back.”

Bruce knew that he was thinking of La Vaune’s money.  “But we can’t,” he sighed.  “It’s not our plane nor our expedition.  We’re bound by agreement to go on.  Besides, there’s no real need of going back.  La Vaune’s all right for the winter.  I arranged for her at my old college at Brandon; she will attend the academy and help in the dining-room.”

“Well, then,” said Barney, “I guess it’s us for union-alls and at those engines.”

They were soon at their task.  But, as Bruce worked that day, he thought often of the mysterious twinkle he had seen in the Major’s gray eyes, as he spoke of the white reindeer.  Who was this Major, anyway?  And where were they going?  The Major alone could tell, and apparently he had no intention of doing so.

CHAPTER III

IN THE MIDST OF THE PACK

“I think,” said the Major, on the third morning after their strange landing, “that we would make a great mistake to set out again at this time.  We are not likely to have the luck of our last landing a second time.  Then too, if we remain here until the lakes and rivers are frozen over, we can find a safe landing place every few miles.

“And now,” the Major continued, stirring the fire thoughtfully, “now I think it would be right that I tell you something of the purpose of this journey.”

The boys leaned forward, eager for the story.

“Even now,” he said slowly, “I do not feel like confiding to you what I may consider my great secret plans—­plans for which this journey is but a trial-trip into the frozen North.  That may follow in good time.  But, as for this present journey, you are perhaps aware that an illegal wireless station has been operating somewhere in these woods and hills?”

“Yes—­yes; we saw the offer of reward!” exclaimed Barney.

“The reward is a small matter,” smiled the Major.  “Should we be so fortunate as to capture the culprit, or be able to certify to his death, I will gladly turn over the reward to you boys.”