“I see but one serious objection, for my part,” said Dr. Schwaryencrona, after he had remained for a few moments lost in reflection.  “It is the difficulty of procuring coal in the arctic regions.  For without coal, adieu to the possibility of making the north-west passage, and of profiting by the time, often very short, during which it is practicable.”

“I have foreseen this difficulty, which is in fact the only one,” answered Erik, “and I do not think it is insurmountable.  In place of going to Malta or Gibraltar, where we might doubtless expect new machinations on the part of Tudor Brown, I propose that we go to London; from there I can send, by transatlantic cable, a dispatch to a house in Montreal, to send without delay a boat loaded with coal to wait for us in Baffin’s Bay, and to a house in San Francisco to send to Behring’s Strait.  We have the necessary funds at our disposal, and, besides, we will not require as much as we would have done if we had gone by the way of Asia, for our new route is a much shorter one.  It is useless for us to reach Baffin’s Bay before the end of May, and we can not hope to reach Behring’s Strait before the end of June.  Our correspondents in Montreal and San Francisco will therefore have plenty of time to execute our orders, which will be covered by funds deposited with bankers in London.  This accomplished, we shall only have to find out whether the north-west passage is practicable, and that evidently depends upon ourselves.  But, if we find the passage closed, at least we shall have the consolation of knowing that we have neglected nothing that could have insured our success.”

“It is evident!” said Mr. Malarius, “that your arguments are unanswerable!”

“Gently, gently,” said Mr. Bredejord.  “Do not let us go too fast.  I have another objection.  Do you think, my dear Erik, that the ‘Alaska’ can pass unnoticed through these waters?  No, it is not possible.  The newspapers would mention our arrival.  The telegraph companies would make it known.  Tudor Brown would know it.  He would know that we had changed our plans.  What would prevent him from altering his?  Do you think, for example, that it would be very difficult to prevent our boat with coals from reaching us?—­and without it we could do nothing!”

“That is true,” answered Erik, “and it proves that we must think of everything.  We must not go to London.  We must put into Lisbon as if we were en route to Gibraltar and Suez.  Then one of us must go incognito to Madrid, and without explaining why, or for whom it is intended, must open telegraphic communications with Montreal and San Francisco, to order the supply of coal.  The crews of these boats must not know for whom the coal is destined, but remain at designated points at the disposition of a captain who will carry an order to them previously agreed upon!”

“A perfect arrangement.  It will be almost impossible for Tudor Brown to track us.”