“My God!” he ejaculated.  “You were not on the Nebraska?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” cried Natalie.  “The life-boats went off and left me all alone—­in the dark—­with the ship sinking!  Mr. O’Neil saved me.  He took me up and jumped just as the ship sank, and we were all night in the freezing water.  We nearly died, didn’t we?  He fainted, and so did I, mummie dear—­it was so cold.  He held me up until we were rescued, though, and then there wasn’t room in the life-boat for both of us.  But he made them take me in, just the same, while he stayed in the water.  He was unconscious when he reached the shore.  Oh, it was splendid!”

O’Neil’s identity being established, and the nature of his service becoming apparent, Curtis Gordon took his hand in a crushing grip and thanked him in a way that might have warmed the heart of a stone gargoyle.  The man was transformed, now that he understood; he became a geyser of eloquence.  He poured forth his appreciation in rounded sentences; his splendid musical voice softened and swelled and broke with a magnificent and touching emotion.  Through it all the Irish contractor remained uncomfortably silent, for he could not help thinking that this fulsome outburst was aroused rather by the man who had built the North Pass

A crowd was collecting round them, but Gordon cleared it away with an imperious gesture.

“Come!” he said.  “This is no place to talk.  Mr. O’Neil’s splendid gallantry renders our mere thanks inane.  He must allow us to express our gratitude in a more fitting manner.”

“Please don’t,” exclaimed O’Neil, hastily.

“You are our guest; the hospitality of our house is yours.  Hope would be honored to welcome you, sir, at any time, but under these circumstances—­”

“I’m going right on to Cortez.”

“The ship will remain here for several hours, discharging freight, and we insist that you allow us this pleasure meanwhile.  You shall spend the night here, then perhaps you will feel inclined to prolong your stay.  All that Cortez has we have in double proportion—­I say it with pride.  Cortez is no longer the metropolis of the region.  Hope—­Well, I may say that Cortez is, of all Alaskan cities, the most fortunate, since it has realized its Hope.”  He laughed musically.  “This town has come to stay; we intend to annex Cortez eventually.  If you feel that you must go on, I shall deem it a pleasure to send you later in my motor-boat.  She makes the run in fifteen minutes.  But you must first honor our house and our board; you must permit us to pledge your health in a glass.  We insist!”

“Please!” said Mrs. Gerard.

“Do come, your Highness,” Natalie urged, from the shelter of the elder woman’s arms.

“You’re more than kind,” said O’Neil, and together the four turned their faces to the shore.

V

WHEREIN WE SEE CURTIS GORDON AND OTHERS