What didn’t make as much sense was that the people didn’t seem to know anything about when or if the dwarfs left the island. The old fisherman’s story hadn’t said anything about the fate of the dwarfs, only that they were no longer there. What that meant, Alex didn’t know.

“Haunted,” Thrang said, after listening to what Alex and Barnabus had learned. “That’s going to be troublesome, to say the least.” Thrang sighed. “I agree that it doesn’t sound like there are any dwarfs left on the island. However, we still need to go and see for ourselves.”

“It will be difficult for us to go to the island if everyone here is afraid to sail there,” Arconn said. “Perhaps we should travel to a city farther south, where stories of a haunted isle are not told.”

“That would take time,” said Thrang. “We would have to travel some distance. Besides, I’m sure the stories are told all along the coast.”

“Perhaps along all the coasts of the sea,” Kat said. “Such stories are common in seaports, and most sailors believe them.”

“Then what can we do?” Nellus asked.

“We could buy a boat and sail it ourselves,” Thrain suggested with a doubtful tone in his voice.

“And if we had wings we could fly there,” Thrang snapped, his mood having taken a dark turn the more they discussed their situation.

“Thrain’s suggestion might be the only one that will work,” said Alex, cross with Thrang for taking his bad mood out on Thrain. “I’d considered the same thing myself.”

“I hate to have come this far and not make it to the island, that’s all,” said Thrang, softening his tone.

“Perhaps we can still talk someone into taking us,” Barnabus said. “The old fisherman said that the younger captains sometimes talk about going north. He mentioned a Bill Clinker by name. He said Bill had talked just last year about going to the island.”

“But he also said Bill had been drinking at the time,” Alex pointed out.

“If we could just find someone who wantedto go,” said Thrang thoughtfully. “Perhaps you could magically encourage their desire, Alex?”

“No,” said Alex after he considered Thrang’s idea. “I will only agree to that option if there is no other way for us to reach the island.”

“We should talk to the captains when they come in. We still might be able to find someone,” Arconn said.

“And if we said that they didn’t have to wait for us at the island, but drop us off and return at a prearranged time to pick us up again, they might agree,” Alex added.

“If, if, if,” said Thrang, taking a deep breath and blowing it out loudly. “I suppose we have to try something, though, and sitting here talking about it won’t help.”

“Perhaps we can arrange a meeting with Clinker,” said Arconn. “Perhaps we could appeal to his pride, or encourage his natural desire. Without using magic, of course.”

“Yes, that might work,” said Thrang. “At least until we were at sea, but then what? If we get halfway to the island and he loses his nerve, we’ll be right back here, or worse.”

“The only thing we can do is try,” said Alex. “Unless we take the time to learn to sail, which I’m sure will take longer than finding someone to take us.”

“Very well,” said Thrang, sounding both depressed and desperate. “I’ll talk with Ishly and have him arrange a meeting with this Clinker fellow.”

Thrang’s talk with Ishly seemed to go better than expected, or at least Ishly seemed to pay more attention to what Thrang was saying. Ishly nodded and said he would see what he could do, and then asked a series of questions about what Thrang and his company would like for dinner. Thrang wasn’t convinced that Ishly had heard a word he’d said, but Alex thought the innkeeper had probably heard more than Thrang meant to say.

As Alex and his friends were eating their evening meal in the common room, Ishly appeared at Thrang’s elbow and whispered something in his ear. Thrang nodded and thanked Ishly. Once Ishly had left, Thrang addressed the rest of the company in a lowered voice.

“Ishly says that Master Clinker will meet with myself and two other members of our company,” said Thrang happily. “Apparently he’s asked that Alex be one of the two, but Ishly doesn’t know why.”

“Obviously because he’s a wizard,” Arconn said.

“Yes, perhaps,” said Thrang, slightly distracted. “Ishly has resevered a small room for us to meet in. I think Arconn should be the third member of our company to meet with this Bill Clinker.”

“When is the meeting?” Alex asked, setting his mug on the table.

“Now,” said Thrang. “Master Clinker is already waiting.”

The others wished them luck as Thrang, Arconn, and Alex left the common room and headed to a back room.

When they entered the room where Bill Clinker was supposed to be waiting, the lamps were burning low. Thrang hesitated at the doorway. Alex wondered if perhaps Thrang had led them to the wrong room, but then someone spoke.

“Come in, please,” said a voice.

Thrang moved forward, followed closely by Arconn and Alex. As Alex shut the door behind them, the person who had spoken turned up the lamp. Alex was stunned to recognize the man sitting by the table. It was the same man who had granted them entrance to the city, the same man Ishly had referred to as Top Mast. The man seemed amused by their surprise, but he didn’t laugh.

“Forgive my secrecy,” he said. “There are some here in Dunnstal who would be upset if they knew we were speaking together.”

“And why is that?” Thrang questioned, moving to a chair next to the table.

“The Isle of Bones has a legend all its own,” the man answered. “Most say that it is haunted, some say worse. Those that fear the worst would not like the idea of my taking you to the island.”

“I take it that you are Bill Clinker,” Thrang said, clearing his throat.

“I am.”

“And Ishly has told you what we are looking for?”

“He has.”

“Are you willing to take us to the Isle of Bones?”

“Perhaps,” came the slow reply. “I have not made up my mind, but I am willing to discuss the possibility.”

“May I ask you something?” Alex asked.

“Of course.”

“You say that your name is Bill Clinker, but Ishly referred to you as ‘Top Mast.’ Can you tell us why you are known by two names?”

“Ishly has a long memory,” answered Bill with a smile. “When I was younger, I always wanted to stand lookout on my father’s ship. The lookout’s position is on the topmast of the ship, so Ishly started calling me that as a joke.”

“The top of the mast is a daring place to be,” Arconn said.

“Yes,” said Bill. “But youth is a time of pride and the belief that nothing can hurt you.”

“Are you more cautious now?” Alex questioned.

“A little, though not as much or as often as I should be,” Bill answered.

“There are seven of us who wish to go to the Isle of Bones,” Thrang said, retuning to the point of their meeting. “We will require some time on the island, after which we will require passage back to Dunnstal.”

“When we first met, you said you were looking for lost dwarfs on the Isle of Bones,” Bill said carefully. “Is there more to your journey I should know about?”

“Our business there is our own,” said Thrang, not offering any more details.

“A dwarf, an elf, and a wizard,” said Bill thoughtfully. “I think some of the old tales are true. I think you are seeking the treasure that the dwarf lords left behind.”

“We are seeking a single item,” said Alex, holding up his hand to keep Thrang quiet. “The item is small and unimpressive, but it is of considerable worth to the person who sent us looking for it.”

“And if you happen to find treasure along the way . . . well, that’s considered part of your payment,” said Bill with a knowing smile.

“That is the customary agreement for adventurers,” answered Thrang, his voice tight.

“No offense meant,” said Bill. “I know something of adventurers after all. What you seek and what you find is none of my affair. My only concern is what it will cost me to take you to the Isle of Bones, and what profit I can make from such a journey.”