Page 52 of The Gold Rush Bride

Barnaby arrivedin Dawson City in the late afternoon. He headed straight to the ferry station. He approached the man behind the counter. “When is the next trip to Skagway?”

“Well, hi Barnaby. We just had one leave today. Might be next week or next month. Depends on the ferry captains.”

Barnaby wanted to drag the man over the counter by his lapels but restrained himself. “Can you tell me if a woman was in the group that left today?”

“Funny you should ask. There was one. The last passenger in the group. Came to the counter just as we were loading up.”

Barnaby cursed. She’d made better time than he thought she would, but she was on horseback, after all. “Send me a message at Kitty’s when you know the departure date of the next boat.” He placed a five-dollar bill on the counter.

The clerk snatched the five and tucked it into his pants pocket. “Sure thing. I know Kitty’s. I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks.” He took off toward the assay office. He wanted a hot bath, but that would have to wait. First, he needed to cash in this gold, then head to the bank and find out what, if anything, Sadie had left him.

The gold he’d brought amounted to twelve-thousand-six-hundred-and-twenty-seven dollars. He hoped that the remaining gold would yield at least as much for Sam. He’d talked Barnaby into coming after Sadie; otherwise, he might not have found her for months. At least, now he had a chance. Maybe.

When he walked into the bank, the manager, Reginald Whitmore, greeted him. Reginald was a dapper man wearing a three-piece suit and tie. Not something anyone saw much of in Dawson City. Most of the men were like him, wearing mining clothes, wool everything—pants, shirt, and socks.

“Barnaby. I wondered when you’d be in. I hadn’t expected you today, though. Sadie was here just a few hours ago, and I thought she’d left you on the claim.”

“She did...until I came to my senses and followed her. But I wasn’t fast enough. She got on the last ferry.”

Reginald turned toward the back. “Come to my office and we’ll talk.” He walked to his office, waited until Barnaby had entered, and then closed the door after him. Then he made his way around the desk. “Have a seat, please.” He pointed at the straight-backed wooden chair in front of the desk as he sat in the large leather chair on the other side. “Hopefully, there will be another ferry soon. But what can I do for you today?”

Barnaby sat forward in the chair. “I want to close the account. I know I just opened it a few days ago, but I have to go after her.”

“Ah, I understand. She left you approximately one-half of the money. Do you have an account you want it sent to? Or will you be using the same account as Mrs. Drake?”

“I want it sent here.” He handed him a piece of paper with the name and account number of his bank in San Francisco. “All but five-hundred dollars. I’ll need that to see to my passage and my room at Kitty’s, plus food until I can get passage. And we both know that could be days or weeks or months.”

“That’s true. I’ll wire the rest to your bank first thing in the morning. It’s too late today.”

“That’s fine.” He stood and extended his right hand toward the bank manager. “I’ll be staying at Kitty’s if you need me.”

“I believe I have everything I need. If you’ll wait a few minutes, I can get you a receipt for the transaction.”

“Did Sadie send her half to a bank in St. Louis?”

“Yes, the First National Bank of St. Louis.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your assistance.”

“Anytime. Do you think you’ll be back?”

Barnaby shook his head. “Not in this lifetime.” He accepted the receipt. Then he left and headed toward Kitty’s and the bath he promised himself.

Though Chilkoot Pass was travelable all year round, in winter, it was more treacherous. He was glad Sadie would get out before then and hopefully she’d be able to take the tram.

He walked into the hotel and met Kitty behind the registration desk.

She looked up. “Barnaby.” Kitty leaned to the side, trying to peer around him. “Where is Sadie?”

“She left earlier today for Skagway.”

Kitty tilted her head. “Then what are you doing here?”

Barnaby sighed. He needed someone to talk to, so he told her what had happened.

She lifted a brow and leaned forward, resting her forearms on the desk. “I’m glad you realized your mistake sooner rather than later. Hopefully, you’ll get a ferry soon and might catch her in Skagway.”