“Yes—for nothing.”
“There is sixty thousand dollars in gold in my safe. When we land in San Francisco I will turn over the money to you. You have every right in the world to it.” 240
Cleigh blew the ash from the glass beads and circled them in his palm.
“I repeat,” she said, “they are yours.”
Cunningham stood up.
“Well, what’s it to be?”
“I have decided to reserve my decision,” answered Cleigh, dryly. “To hang you ’twixt wind and water will add to the thrill, for evidently that’s what you’re after.”
“If it’s on your own you’ll only be wasting coal.”
Cleigh toyed with the beads.
“The Haarlem. Maybe I can save you a lot of trouble,” said Cunningham. “The name is only on her freeboard and stern, not on her master’s ticket. The moment we are hull down the old name goes back.” Cunningham turned to Jane. “Do you believe I’ve put my cards on the table?”