Then before Mr. Ridgeway could answer, his face lighted.
“Ah, an inspiration” he said. “No need at all for unwilling disclosures. We will just change ships. Why did I not think of that before? Brown, just escort those mechanics over the side into our car, then tie them for the present and fix the guns. We won’t want to trouble our friends with the care of the little beauties. You know what to do, Brown.” He listened. “No sound yet,” he said, and as the men went over the side, he turned to look at them.
Silently in that moment when Smith’s eyes were following the movements of Brown and his two prisoners, Lawrence stole a hand along the side of the ship and grasped a fine cord that hung within his reach. He gave a quick pull and heard aloft in the fog a little sound which he instantly disguised by a flood of hyolax in the carbureter. The engine sputtered furiously but Smith only glanced at him idly, thinking that fright had deprived him of his common sense.
Mr. Ridgeway had followed Lawrence’s quick action, however, and he hung back as Mr. Smith with a wave of his revolver indicated that he too was to follow over the side into the other ship.
“Look here, Van Arsdale,” he said quietly, “I don’t see why we can’t talk this thing over. You have the upper hand certainly. Name your price, and let us keep the jewels. Name your price, and although it is a crime to do it, I will give you a certified check for your money. You know I always have certified checks with me.”
Van Arsdale pondered. “I don’t know but there is a good deal to that, Mr. Ridgeway. I know just how you feel. You want it said that you were a trustworthy custodian. And as far as I go, I would rather handle cash than bother trying to have a bushel of old diamonds and rubies recut and marketed. As for the papers, they must have a price of their own because in giving them up, I relinquish my hopes of greatness for awhile and will have to think up some other scheme to attain my ends. So, Mr. Ridgeway, what do you offer?”
“A million,” said Mr. Ridgeway.
“Pounds or dollars?” asked Van Arsdale.
“Dollars,” replied Mr. Ridgeway.
“Not enough!” said Van Arsdale. “Dear Mr. Ridgeway, we have discussed the value of the jewels so often, you and I, when I was your trusted secretary. A million won’t do at all. Come, bid up! What am I offered?”