"No, I won't," he thought. "Time enough when we get to Seattle ... That is where the struggle will begin."
That night Wallion enjoyed good, sound sleep, such as comes after hard work.
CHAPTER XI
A "WELCOME" GIFT AT SEATTLE
A few hours before the liner was due to run into New York harbor Doctor Corman approached the two Swedes, who were leaning against the railing.
"Allow me to make a suggestion," he said in an amicable tone. "We have before us a long journey by train right across America, and I suppose your destination, like our own, is still Seattle?"
"It may not be our final one," answered Wallion; "at any rate it is our nearest."
The doctor raised his hands as deprecating Wallion's ambiguous reply, and said: "Then let us form a little, exclusive friendly party and our journey will be the pleasanter, will it not? Elaine is nearly well again now, but for her sake we should agree to let all business matters rest until we arrive."
"Of course, we quite think so," replied Wallion. The suggestion met with unqualified approval from Tom, and he almost began to like the Doctor.
When the statue of the goddess of Liberty, and behind it the turrets of the sky-scrapers, became visible, the passengers emerged from their cabins one by one. Elaine and Madame Lorraine joined the men and the conversation became lively. Elaine, though still pale, was evidently on the way to recovery. Tom had to acknowledge that the prohibition which had bereft him of the sight of her for some days had really been a happy thought, and that, too, made him more favorably disposed towards the doctor. He could hardly take his eyes off her thoughtful, attractive face, and said: