The Washington herald., 1906-10-26
CHAPTER xIII-Continued.

sail was in sight The island itself Of
fered no landing place, except the inner
coastliEe OF the little bay, and perhaps.
on fine day. the outer shores Of tie
necks Of land that made the harbor, for
they were dcntcd here and there with
sandy reaches.
Elsewhere The coast Wcs formed of
Jagged crags and precipitous cliffs that
eheered abruptly from the waters. lie
noticed about half a mile from The
chateau. almost at the base of one of
these small promoutories, a small stone
hoathouse that, defended by a coping Of
high rocks, seemed to run a little dis
lance from the land, for the waves lap
ped at its sides with curling tongues Of
spray. STaining his eyes seward, he
cspied. q dozen miles northeast, the out
lire Of another island which seemed, as
near as he could judge OF more impor-
tsnt size than Alfalfa At first he thought
indeed, it was the mainland, but the ris-
ing sun showed him only a lat, low
lying coast with seas beyond, but the
sight gave him q faint none none the
less, so hard indeed il IS for hope 70
die. As Francine had said. there were
only two boats visible on the island
beach, hut glance, even at that dis
lance. showed that they We're fastened
ana secure with chains and giant pad
locks
Cressingham pointed TO the boathOUse.
What is kept there, Franeine?
Il am not sure Frank, for no one Is
allowed IN there except Desire, the counts
grandson, who has always been my
mentor and companion Che Is only boy,
EFauEf Desire told r--r as secret FlQs
his grandfather. the count. uses IL as a
workshop. and spends "a great deal OF
time there on a boat which he is building
uf steel and aluminium. This. II seems,
Dr. the old mans single hobby. He has
invented some new motive power which
He believes viii revolutionize the ship
ping WCTld, and in order TO test IL. ne is
building q boat with the help of his grand
son only, for he vii trust no other Twins
s0H with his secret. It Is true. 7 think.
Tor l have often seen the count escorted
there by his servants. and they always
wait Or The beach till lie returns. since
lie permits no one to follow him within.
Ha, I should like 70 see the inside #
that boathousc. Franclue:"
NO use, dear. 7 have tried, but it is
built Of solid stone, and its one dcor.
which is Of plated steel, is always locked
11csivc even dared not take me there
WIS spent AffD lll us b4A ttlE ltft4-
0ut hand in hand Cressingham always
EaZing seaw3rd, raczing his brains Tor an
idea, some plan which might offer a tiny
chance TO Win him his desires. But no
hope came To cheer him Every chance OF
escape was inevitably removed and de-
spain, a grim-Visaged speCtey, clue at
last and stared him ia the face, A brave
man. be fought The phantom off, and as
sUmiug an aspect of cheerfuiness which
ed i. IL.
upon The steps and share his bres kfast.
us IL possible that you can oat?" she
asked sadly.
Tie forced laugh Must my sweet
heart. / never could think properly on an
empty stomach. Come along. darling.
ve'l have 20 clear out Of this soon. you
know. and its d pretty fairish journey
"e'N be takIHg."
"A long journey. indeed sighed the
Iirl % journey trcm which there VIII
h" no returning,
We'll. who wants 20 como back here.
anyway demanded Cressingham. forcing
himself TO seem Hght-heaTted. The gil
sat dewn beside him and watched him
cat with wide but tender eyes
You cannot deceive me. Frank" she
'netteTcd presently; "v0u are forcing
yourself.
Not T. he cried. Come. come. sweet
Hoart; its barely O'Clock; ne have four
hours vet. BY iove, who is that2"
The girl followed his gesture and saw
wondering along the beach the graceful
naure OF lad. VINO carried a bundle
s.1ng across his shoulders.
ITS Desire going u The boathouse,
SHE replied.
They watched tho boy lightly climb
some bouideTs. then arriving at tho boat
house. open the door, enter, and disap-
Iear. the door closing behind him
he must need light 90 work by" OBJ
-octcG Cressingham, perhaps the building
opens on the bay.
NO, dear. il can open There thinI,
for there is big iron doct but 81 dips
right into the water. and is always closed:
Ae works by electricity. ! think"
w bat sort Of lad is this Desire
\ real sweet boy" said Francine Tie
hates this island bitterly. lie has
always been shut up here lie is
very clever. think. he knows an
about science and electricity. and that
sort CT thing. 7 have heard HIM
argue with the count-whO IS very
learned man. Frank. to DO him Justice
but each time. Desire held his own. De
slFo works carly and late in that boat
rouse only coming ont Tor his hcalChs
sake LOT MS grandfatner has promised
IlHl it The boat IS 3 success. that he shall
20 10 some university in England
see But is not the LAD mixed up
with the uihilists2
Yes aud no. ne j.. OF course. a. -uibil-
isl; he had 10 be- but De- Ioathcs them I'M.
his heart
"FraHeiue. this boy might help ms &c
We could set To him
"Ah. dcar. hc is only q lad. U-r.,t .1,.I5
Ic do3'
He might give us a key Go unlock one
of those boats. Only think of IL. Fran
cine See, my God, one of the boats Is
nued 10 with oars and sails. There Is
not q living soul en- the beach or near h
Great heaven let us so at once, II y,a
could steal away now, we should set
Eood start and with a wind, Francine.
was I not right 10 cate rIease Cod. mi
gCt you safe OF yet.
The girls eyes had taken q sudden
light of hope. reflected perhaps from his
for the man was near frantic with cx-
element. Joining hands. they com
menced the descent like u pair Of eager
children, bat had not proceeded twenty
Yards before a turn of the winding steps
brought them 10 a little platform and
face 20 face with Madame Katherin
Niyella,
stop. she commanded. I have come
~ search Of YOU
For what purpose" he demanded
roughly, for on sight of her every bad
feeling in his heart had mounted upper
most and it was in his mind to Kill her.
since she might bar the slender chance
of their escape.
Madame held up "a large key My
father sleeps al last she said and 1
have procured this key The servants
arc now at breakfast. You must slip
down speedily 10 the beach. and with
mis- KY nnInck one of the hn-ts Nnn