The Lamar register., 1902-08-27
CHAPTER VIII.
Barriers Burst Away.

passed. He found he was in state
room. thrust into lower berth.
clothes and all
His head has been slightly cut.
proving that 1t had been a cudgel OF
some sort through which his downfall
had been brought about.
Looking out of the small opening
he could see the many lights along
the shore that indicated Nice.
He tried the door,
OF course it was locked, but, as he
had fully expected this. it gave him
no additional uneasiness.
The door was solid enough to resist
any ordinary attack. but Merricks
quick eye detected one weak point
about 1.-THE brass hinges were Oh
the inside, as the door swung inward
ly.
Given a screw driver, and the JOB
was one at which he could laugh.
He chose the thickest blade of his
knife. and had removed one screw
when the steel snapped off short.
This seemed at first to prophesy
calamity. but upon investigation he
discovered that the broken blade an
swered the end he had in view ad-
mirably, and after that the work pro-
ceeded rapidly.
And so the last screw gave way be-
fore the magic of the broken blade.
Then Merrick set out upon tour OF
investigation.
His hope lay in the chance of
boat dangling from the stern. which
he could quietly enter and cut loose.
to be carried away upon the tide.
still gently on the flood.
That was what took him to this
part of the craft. and not a desire to
spy upon any of those who might
chance to be in the cabin.
At the same time. in passing near
the open skylights through which air
and light were admitted into the sa-
loon. fashioned much after that of a
sailing boat. what was more natural
than that he should lean over to
glance downward?
1t was a move that had a decided
bearing upon his destiny. for what he
saw gave him a tremendous shock.
while at the same time he felt hand
laid roughly upon his arm and he was
jerked rudely back.
He was Just on the point of opening
his batteries upon this unknown cap
tor. who still maintained his rigid
clutch. when he was thrilled to hear
his own name whispered.
1t was Jones, no one else but the
ubiquitous and irrepressible Jones.
Mark reached around and seized the
hand that had held him so tightly.
seized 1t with burning zeal and proved
by his forcible pressure what he
thought Of Joneses in general, and
this one in particular-they were all
trumps.
I'm awful glad to see you." he
whispered.
Its Just grand luck I'm in-hard-
ly got aboard before run across you,"
came from the other. soto voce.
rOf course you have a boat?"
CLOSE by the stern. and held by a
Corsican I've bought, body and soul"
He made as though to urge Mer-
rick in the direction he indicated, but.
strange to say, the late prisoner, who
had erstwhile appeared SO eager to
quit the steam yacht for the shore
that he would have exchanged his
kingdom for a stanch boat, now &C.
tually resisted this friendly pressure.
Hold on" he said.
why delay-its dangerous. I tell
you. my boy" persisted the Yankee
eagerly.
Then you. haven't looked?"
well. l wanted to, but considered
the chances Of being seen," cautiously.
Bother. Take Just one peep, and
then tell me If you think 1t advisable
to leave here without making further
investigation"
Something in Merrick's mysterious
words aroused the others slumbering
curiosity.
What he saw seemed to astonish
him so much that he acted as though
paralyzed-indeed. 1t was Mark who
now had to take hold of his arm and
drag the unwilling Jones back
Jones gave low kissing sound, In
tended for a whistle-it was his meth.
cd of allowing the surplus steam to
escape, and doubtless served as a
safety valve.
"Jerusalem!" he gurgled showing
that he had been considerably stag.
gered by what he saw.
You saw him all right?"
1.-The Rooshan-well. rather" dryly.
HE escaped disaster?"
HE must have come here on the
next train-quick work, too. And looks
as though he had been through q
scratching match with some Amazon.
"Stromby's all right can under
stand how he and Count Leon should
be here with the owner of this steam
yacht, evidently great friend and
admirer of the brave explorer, but
it's the others that fetch me-" purred