“That fellow’s some conjurer,” asserted Broom, whose voice seemed to betray a considerable appreciation of the ludicrous element in the incident.
“He sure is,” said Roy, with a broad grin; “the best in the land.”
Broom started to laugh, but a sharp look from Roy turned it to a prolonged yawn.
The conjurer’s previous herculean efforts were mere child’s play compared to the superhuman display that followed. The intervals of scratching became continuous, the incantations swelled into a roar and the twisting figure beneath the kaip-puk worked itself into a frenzy. Then suddenly all was still and a closed hand pushed itself out through the covering. The grimy fingers and the thumb slowly opened, disclosing the wards of a large key.
“Is that the key?” asked a muffled voice from beneath the kaip-puk.
“Yes,” replied Roy without moving from his seat to examine the thing in the extended hand.
The fingers and thumb closed back on the object and the hand again disappeared. Ocpic’s voice was then heard in conversation. After a time the attendant spirits were, apparently, dismissed, for the figure arose. The kaip-puk fell to the floor in a heap and the Eskimo stood revealed, smiling and perspiring. With a proud look he held a large key extended on his open palm. The trader slowly took it, then, like a flash, his expression of careless indifference disappeared and his face took on a look of implacable wrath. Reaching for the fallen kaip-puk he hurled it into the kitchen as far as he could throw it; then turning to the Eskimo, he grasped him firmly by the shoulder.
“You’re a thief,” he cried. “You stole the key.” With this he gave the astonished Ocpic a shake which nearly sent him off his feet. “If ever I find you in this room again I will shoot you,” he added sternly. “Now go.” Ocpic breathed heavily, his face worked passionately, then suddenly he gave a loud shout. Hatred, the implacable hatred of a coward, flashed from his eyes as he did so.
As if by magic the doorway was filled with angry faces. A number of Eskimos shuffled in and made an effort to draw near to Ocpic.
Quietly Broom dropped from the bunk to the floor. Deliberately he reached for a chair. Then he took his place beside Roy, balancing the chair in his hand.