“Do you think Broad and his partner are altogether trustworthy?”

“Nobody is that,” she told him.  “But they’re at least intelligent.  In this kind of a country I prefer an intelligent crook to an honest fool.  Most people are honest or dishonest when and as they think it is to their advantage to be so.  Those men want to get to Dawson, and they know the Police would never let them across the Line.  I’m their only chance.  They’ll stand assay.”

It was mid-forenoon when the Countess halted Pierce, who was a short distance ahead of her, saying:  “Wait!  Didn’t you hear somebody calling us?”

They listened.  They were about to move onward when there came a faint hallo, and far down the trail behind them they saw a figure approaching.  After a moment of scrutiny Pierce declared: 

“Why, it’s Broad!”

“Something has happened!” The Countess stepped upon a fallen log and through her cupped palms sent forth an answering call.  Mr. Broad waved his hat and broke into a run.  He was wet with sweat, he was muddy and out of breath, when he finally overtook them.

“Whew!” he panted.  “Thought I’d never run you down ...  Well, set yourselves.”

“What’s wrong?” demanded the woman.

“Plenty.  You’ve been double-crossed, whip-sawed.  Your noble red men have quit you; they dumped your stuff at the river and made a deal at double rates to move Sam Kirby’s freight.  They’re back in Dyea now, the whole works.”

The Countess Courteau exploded with a man’s oath.  Her face was purple; her eyes were blazing.

“Danny Royal, Kirby’s man, done it.  Sam’s gone on to Linderman to build a boat.  I saw Danny curled up on the chief’s ear while you were loading.  After you’d gone him and the old pirate followed.  Me ‘n’ Bridges never thought anything about it until by and by back came the whole party, empty.  Danny trooped ’em down to the beach and begun packin’ ’em.  I know him, so I asked him what the devil.  ‘Hands off!’ says he.  ’Sam Kirby’s got a rush order in ahead of yours, and these refreshments is going through by express.  I’ve raised your ante.  Money no object, understand?  I’ll boost the price again if I have to, and keep on boosting it.’  Then he warned me not to start anything or he’d tack two letters onto the front of my name.  He’d do it, too.  I took it on the run, and here I am.”

“Sam Kirby, eh?” The Countess’ flaming rage had given place to a cool, calculating anger.

Pierce protested violently.  “I hired those Indians.  We agreed on a price and everything was settled.”

“Well, Danny unsettled it.  They’re workin’ for him and he intends to keep ’em.”

“What about our white packers?” the woman inquired of Broad.

“They must have crossed before Danny caught up, or he’d have had them, too.  ‘Money no object,’ he said.  I’m danged if I’d turn a trick like that.”

“Where’s our stuff?”