Ticket No. "9672" by Jules Verne Read Free Book Online Page B

to add up the figures, grumbling all the while.
    "Hum!" he exclaimed. "This is very dear! Seven marks and a half for a night's lodging and two meals!"
    "You forget the skydskarl and the horse," remarked Hulda.
    "Nevertheless, I think your charge very high. I really don't see how you can expect to prosper if you are so exorbitant in your charges."
    "You owe me nothing, sir," said Dame Hansen, in a voice that trembled so that it was scarcely audible.
    She had just opened the register and read the name inscribed upon it, and now taking the bill and tearing it up, she repeated:
    "You owe me nothing."
    "That is exactly my opinion,'" replied the stranger.
    And without bidding them good-bye on his departure any more than he had bidden them good-day on his arrival, he climbed into his kariol, and the skydskarl jumped upon the board behind him. A few seconds later he had disappeared around a turn in the road. When Hulda opened the book she found there only this name—
    "Sandgoist, from Drammen."
CHAPTER VII.
    It was on the afternoon of the following day that Joel was to return home; and Hulda, who knew that her brother would come back by the table-lands of the Gousta and along the left bank of the Maan, went to meet him at the ferry across that impetuous stream. On arriving there she seated herself on the little wharf which serves as a landing-placefor the ferry-boat, and abandoned herself to her thoughts.
    To the deep uneasiness caused by the non-arrival of the "Viking" was now added another great anxiety. This last was caused by the mysterious visit of Sandgoist, and Dame Hansen's agitation in his presence. Why had she destroyed the bill and declined to accept the money due her as soon as she learned her guest's name? There must be some secret concealed under all this—and a grave one.
    Hulda was finally aroused from her reverie by the approach of Joel. She first caught a glimpse of him as he was descending the topmost slope; soon he reappeared in the midst of a narrow clearing between the burned and fallen trees. Then he vanished from sight behind a clump of pines, and at last reached the opposite bank and jumped aboard the ferry-boat. With a few vigorous strokes of the oar he propelled the boat swiftly through the rapids, and then leaped upon the little pier beside his sister.
    "Has Ole returned?" he asked, hastily.
    It was of Ole that he thought first of all; but his question remained unanswered.
    "Have you received no letter from him?"
    "Not one."
    And Hulda burst into tears.
    "Don't cry, little sister," exclaimed Joel, "don't cry. You make me wretched. I can not bear to see you weep. Let me see! You say you have received no letter. The matter is beginning to look a little serious, I must admit, though there is no reason to despair as yet. If you desire it, I will go to Bergen, and make inquiries there. I will call on Help Bros. Possibly they may have some news from Newfoundland. It is quite possible that the 'Viking' may have put into some port for repairs, or on account of bad weather. The wind has been blowing a hurricane for more than a week, and not unfrequently ships from Newfoundland take refuge in Iceland, or at the Faroe Islands.This very thing happened to Ole two years ago, when he was on board the 'Strenna,' you remember. I am only saying what I really think, little sister. Dry your eyes. If you make me lose heart what will become of us?"
    "But I can't help it, Joel."
    "Hulda! Hulda! do not lose courage. I assure you that I do not despair, not by any means."
    "Can I really believe you, Joel?"
    "Yes, you can. Now, to reassure you, shall I start for Bergen to-morrow morning, or this very evening?"
    "No, no, you must not leave me! No, you must not!" sobbed Hulda, clinging to her brother as if he was the only friend she had left in the world.
    They started toward the inn. Joel sheltered his sister from the rain as well as he could, but the wind soon became so violent that they were obliged to take refuge in the hut of