The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-03-02
RAND. MeMALLY & CO.
CHAPTER lI.-(CoNr1NuEpl.

lIl.-(OONTINUED).
you will not have failed to observe
he began, that our past attempts
now five in number-have all practi-
cally owed their failure to one and the
same cause. We have not hitherto
recognized which is the stronger and
which the weaker of the two barriers
that confine the object of our devotion.
Because there are but two cruisers
guarding the seaboard Of ST. Helena,
while a continuous Gordon of armed
SentinelS is posted around Longwood
House, another at the confines of the
domain, and yet third along the coast
we have made the mistake of suppos-
ing that our chief difficulties would
meet us on land. But experience has
shown that by relying on the corruption
of servants and the stupidity of SEN
tries the path to the shore can always
be made smooth. The really insur
mountable obstacle has hitherto been
the vigilance Of the English men-of
war. They are, as you know, warned
of the approach OF a vessel by signal
from the lookout on the peak, which
has prospect of over twenty leagues.
Cruising, one to Windward, one to lee
ward, they allow no ship to enter the
roads without being searched; no one
TIC land without permission from the
admiral; and even after dark their
guardboats, pulling round the island all
night, prevent any communication with
the shore.
"A prisoner, then, who has gained the
1anding-stage, is none the less
prisoner still, for he can by no posi-
bility succeed in passing over the half
league of water which separates him
from the vessel waiting to bear him
away to freedom"
M. Carnac sighed again. "Its quite
true" said Mr.. Holmes; 81 found that
out myself
|'Say rather that you sent others to
risk their necks in finding it out for
you,'' growled the count.
The colonel FASTENED to divert their
attention from each other. "Fortu-
nately," he continued, "an inspiration
came to me-
Camilla glanced quickly up in aston
ishment; and he went on rapidly, as
if to retrieve a false step. can inspira-
ton from source not unknown to you.
Madame de Montaut, who has spoken
with so much eloquence tonight, was
in fact the first to suggest that it might
be possible to pass under that which
we could not pass over
The three visitors stared and were
dumb. Camilla looked anxiously at
their faces to gather their probable
opinion
''Yes," said the colonel, "a submarine
boat is what is needed; and if the idea
was anothers, I may at least claim
that the execution of it has been mine"
''Execution?" asked Holmes, with
transparent jealousy. What do you
mean? The things impracticable!'
ooh! it is a poor machine" said the
colonel, with great Difference, land not
In any way one such as you, Mr..
Holmes, would have been able to de-
sign; but I think it will serve it's pur-
pose, and that is enough"
M. Carnac shook his head. II hope
1t may" he said, despondently.
This said the colonel, unfolding
drawing and holding it up, sis a sketch
of the boat. 1t is eight feet wide, seven
deep, and sixty-five long, and is made
in a number of separate parts, each
capable of being concealed in hogs
head cask The whole can be put to-
gether in two hours"
"Goodv' cried the count, with side
glance at Holmes. "Most Ingenious!
ana now 40 you plOpOoe " use IL
-sOnly as an auxiliary, of course re-
piled M de Montaut, 'for it's effective
range is very limited. It is sunk by
admitting water into tanks at the two
ends and raised by pumping it out
again The propelling power consists
of two broad paddles worked from in
side by hand, and moving much like
the fins of a fish. The shape of the
boat, as YOU see is not unlike that of
an ordinary canal barge, with water
tight ends, and with the central space
covered in by an oblong erection, hav-
ing panes of glass in the front and
sides for purposes of steering, sand at
che top a hatch or trap-door for ingress
and egress."
1It will be very Iaborious to work"
said the count.
Precisely" said the colonel; s'and
propose therefore to use it only as far
rs it is absolutely necessary. My idea
IS this: A merchant-vessel will arrive
off Jamestown, st. Helena, on a day
already appointed, and will obtain per-
mission to anchor in the roads, but of
course outside the circle patrolled by
The euard-boats. As soon as it is dark
the submarine boat will be fitted to-
rether and launched under the charge
Of a skilled and resolute seaman. He
will make the passage to and from the
shore under water, and when once he
has brought the Emperor on board our
Vessel, the submarine boat may be sunk
and abandoned, and we can make sail