There came a signal from the steamer in the offing; the Countess extended her hand to Pierce. "Good-by! If you're still here three weeks from now you may be able to help me." Then she joined the procession up the gang-plank. But the hotel-keeper halted her. "Fifteen is a go!" he said, angrily. The Countess Courteau stepped back out of the line. "Very well. Make out the bill of sale. I'll meet you at Healy & Wilson's in ten minutes." A moment later she smiled at Pierce and heaved a sigh of relief. "Well, I brought him to time, didn't I? I'd never have gone aboard. I'd have paid him twenty-five thousand dollars, as a matter of fact, but he hadn't sense enough to see it. I knew I had him when he followed me down here." "What have you bought?" "That hotel yonder--all but the lumber." "All BUT the lumber! Why, there isn't much else!" Pierce was more than a little astonished. "Oh yes, there is! Dishes, hardware, glass, beds, bedding, windows, fixtures--everything inside the building, that's what I bought. That's all I wanted. I'll have the place wrecked and the stuff packed up and on men's backs in two days. It cost--I don't know what it cost, and I don't care. The fellow was perfectly right, though; I haven't time to get to Seattle and back again. Know any men who want work?" "I want it." "Know any others?" Pierce shook his head. "Find some--the more the better. Carpenters first, if there are any." The speaker was all business now. "You're working for me from this minute, understand? Treat me right and I'll treat you right. I'll take you through to Dawson. I want carpenters, packers, boatmen; they must work fast. Long hours, long chances, big pay, that's what it will mean. That outfit must be in Dawson ahead of the ice. Such a thing has never been done; it can't be done! But I'll do it! Do you want to tackle the job?" Phillips' eyes were dancing. "I'll eat it up!" he cried, breathlessly. "Good! I think you'll do. Wait for me at the hotel." With a brisk nod she was off, leaving him in a perfect whirl of emotions. Her man! She had called him that. "Fast work, long hours, long chances"; an impossible task! What happy impulse had sped him to town this morning? Ten minutes was the narrow margin by which he had won his opportunity, and now the door to the North had opened at a woman's touch. Inside lay--everything! She thought he'd do? Why, she must KNOW he'd do. She must know he'd give up his life for her! He pinched himself to ascertain if he were dreaming.