Emil Konrad ordered Gretchen to keep secret her intention of leaving the village with Jannison. Why she must do so, the trader did not explain; and she obeyed without argument and with but mild curiosity. Quite often his imperious nature made him take a dictatorial attitude regarding her affairs, and at such times, he behaved like a Prussian Junker, impatient of interference or question. Of course his real purpose was to avoid trouble with Ugruk. The Eskimo half-breed was not to know of his betrayal until the travelers were well on their way to Point Barrow.
Ugruk was completely deceived. It never occurred to him that Konrad would break his contract. It is not in Eskimo psychology to conceive of such a thing. Gretchen was now his property, bought and paid for. Konrad could steal her from
