Her mention of diamonds made Johnny jump.  He instantly thought of the diamonds in his pocket.  Could it be that her father had converted his wealth into diamonds and then had been robbed by the Radical revolutionist?  He was on the point of showing the diamonds to her when discretion won the upper hand.  He thought once more of the cruel revenges meted out by these Radicals.  Should he give the diamonds to one to whom they did not belong, the penalty would be swift and sure.

Johnny did, however, press into her hand a card with his name and a certain address in Chicago written upon it and he did urge her to come there should she visit America.

He had hardly left the igloo when a startling question came to his mind.  Why had the Russian gone away without further attempt to recover the treasure now in Johnny’s possession?  He had indeed twice searched the American’s igloo in his absence and once had made an unsuccessful attack upon his person.  He had gained nothing.  The diamonds were still safe in Johnny’s pocket.  What could cause the man to abandon them?  Here, indeed, must be one of the big men of the cult, perhaps the master of them all.

With this thought came another, which left Johnny cold.  The cult had spies and avengers everywhere.  They were numerous in the United States.  They could afford to wait.  Johnny could be trusted to cross the Strait soon.  There would be time enough then.  His every move would be watched, and when the time was ripe there would be a battle for the treasure.

That night, by the light of the glorious Arctic moon Johnny found his way across the solid shore ice and climbed upon the drifting floes, which were even now shifting and slowly piling.  He was on his way to America.  Perhaps he was the first American to walk from the old world to his native land.  Certainly, he had never attempted thirty-five miles of travel which was fraught with so many perils.

CHAPTER X

THE JAP GIRL IN PERIL

Hardly had Johnny made his way across the shore ice and begun his dangerous journey when things of a startling nature began to happen to the Jap girl.

She was seated in her igloo sewing a garment of eider duck skins, when three rough-looking Chukches entered and, without ceremony, told her by signs that she must accompany them.

She was conducted to the largest igloo in the village.  This she found crowded with natives, mostly men.  She was led to the center of the floor, which was vacant, the natives being ranged round the sides of the place.

Instantly her eyes searched the frowning faces about her for a clue to this move.  She soon found it.  In the throng, she recognized five of the reindeer Chukches, members of that band which had attempted to murder Johnny Thompson and herself.

Their presence startled her.  That they would make their way this far north, when their reindeer had been sent back by paid messengers some days before, had certainly seemed very improbable both to Johnny and to the girl.