The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-07-19

cold heart as he realized that THIS Wo-
mans love could never be his Inc
knowledge excited his passion the
more. His hatred Of Anstruther now
became a mania, an insensate resolve
to mortally stab this meddler who al
ways stood in his path.
Robert hoped that his present ordeal
was over. It had only begun. He was
called on to answer questions without
number. Why had the tunnel been
made? What was the mystery Of the
valley Of death? How did he manage
TO guess the dimensions Of the sundlal?
How came he to acquire such an amaz-
ing stock of out of the way knowledge
of the edible properties of roots and
trees? How? Why? Where? When?
They never would be satisfied, for not
even the British navy, poking its nose
into the recesses Of the world. often
comes across such an amazing story
as the adventures Of this couple on
Rainbow island.
He readily explained the creation Of
quarry and cave by telling them Of the
vein Of antimony imbedded in the rock
near the vault. Anthony is one Of the
substances that covers multitude Of
doubts. No one, not excepting the doc
tors who use it, knows much about 1t,
and in Chinese medicine it might be a
chief factor Of exceeding nastiness.
Inside the cavern the existence of
the partially completed shaft to the
ledge accounted for recent disturb
ances on the face of the rock. and new
comers could not, of course, distinguish
the bones Of poor 81. S." as being the
remains Of European.
Anstruther was satisfied that none Of
them hazarded the remotest guess as
to the value Of the gaunt rock they
were staring at, and chance helped him
to battle further inquiry. i.
> a trumpeter on board the Orient was
blowing his lungs out to summon them
to luncheon when Captain Fitzroy put
a final query.
ssI can quite understand" he said to
Robert, chat you have an affection for
this weird place, but am curious to
know why you lay claim to the island.
You can hardly intend to return here"
He pointed to Roberts placard stuck
on the rock.
Anstruther paused before he an
swered. He felt that Lord Ventnors
dark eyes were fixed on him. Every
body was more or less desirous to have
this point cleared up. He looked the
questioner sduarely in the face.
"In some parts Of the world" he said,
there are sunken reefs, unknown, un-
charted, on which many vessel has
been lost without any contributory
fault on the part Of her officers"
Undoubtedly"
'eWell, Captain Fitzroy, when I was
stationed with my regiment in Hong
kong 1 encountered such a reef and
wrecked my life on it. At least that
is how It seemed to me then. Fortune
threw me ashore here after long and
bitter submergence You can hardly
blame me if cling to the tiny speck
of land that gave me salvation"
"No," admitted. the sailor. He knew
there was something more in the al
legory than the text revealed, but it
was no business of his.
Moreover" continued Robert sml-
ingly, "you see have partner"
There cannot be the slightest doubt
about the partner" was the prompt re-
ply.
Then every one, laughed, Iris more
than any, though Sir Arthur Deane's
gayety was forced, and Lord Ventnor
could taste the acidity of his ownsmile
Later in the day the first lieutenant
told his chief Of Anstruther's voluntary
statement concerning the court martial.
Captain Fitzroy was naturally panied
by this unpleasant revelation, but he
took exactly the same view as that ex-
pressed by the first lieutenant IN Rob-
ert's presence.
Nevertheless he pondered the matter
and seized an early opportunity of men
tioning it to Lord Ventnor. That dis
tinguished nobleman was vastly sur
prised to learn how Anstruther had cut
the ground from beneath his feet.
Yes" he said, in reply to the sailors
request for information, Il know ali
about it. It could not well be other
wise. seeing that next to Mrs. Costobell
l was the principal witness against
him"
''That must have been awkward for
you," was the unexpected comment.
Indeed! Why"
Because rumor linked your name
with that Of the lady in a somewhat
outspoken way"
"You astonish me- Anstruther GER
tainly made some stupid allegations
during the trial, but l had no idea he
was able to spread this malicious re-
port subsequently"
Il am not talking of Hongkong, my
lord, but of Singapore, months later"
Captain Fitzroy's tone was exceed
49, 1,r Jn6oo1 Como poOpln noicht