Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-07

eager view black chasm into the heart Of
the headland. The experiment had worked
| out with the accuracy Of a geometric prob
lem.
That's all, SIR" Barnett reported off,
| cially
Magic! Modern magic!" said the cap
tain. He stared at the open door For the
moment the object of the undertaking was
plshment.
"Darrowll think an earthquakes come
after him. remarked Trendon
"Give way" ordered the captain.
| The boat grated on the sand. Capt. Park
| inson would have entered, but Barnett re-
strained him.
Its best to wait minute or two." he
advised. Occasionally slides follow an ex-
plosion tardily, and the gases don't always
| dissipate quickly
| Where they stood they could see but
short way into the cave: Trendon squat
| ted and funneled his hands to one eye
There's fire inside" he said.
In a moment they all saw it, a single
pin point glow far back in the blackness. a
Cyclopean eye, that swayed as it ap-
preached. Alternately 1t waned and bright
ened. Suddenly 1t illuminated the dim lin
eaments of face. The face neared them
1t Joined itself to reality by a very solid
i the twiit mouth Of the cavern. removed a
| cigarette from his lips. and gave them
| greeting.
Sorry not to have met you at the door"
knocked, was it not3 Yes? 1t reused me
| from my siesta."
They stared at him in silence. He blinked
| in the light, with unaccustomed eyes.
| You will pardon me for not asking you
in at once. Past circumstances have rem
| dered me-well-perhaps suspicious Is not
| too strong word
They noticed that he held revolver in
| his hand.
| Capt Parkinson came forward a step.
| The host half raised his weapon Then he
| dropped it abruptly.
Navy men" he said, in an altered voice.
| IT beg your pardon. / could not see at first.
| Ny name is Percy Darrow
| IT am Capt. Parkinson of the United
| States cruiser Wolverine" said the com
mander. ''This is Mr. Barnett, Mr.. OAR
| row. DR.. Trendon, Mr.. barrow"
| They shook hands all aound.
Like some - silly afternoon tea" Tren-
don said later, in retailing 1t to the mess.
A pause followed.
won't you step in, gentlemen" said
Darrow, May offer you the markings Of
cigarette?" ,.,, =
quired the captain. with twinkle.
"Oh, you found the diary. them said
barrow easily. Rather silly of me to
complain so. But really, in conditions Ike
$50 one might imagine" said Trendcn
| drily He looked closely at barrow. The
mans eyes were light and dancing. From
the nostrils two livid lines ran ilagonally.
| Sucn lines one might Iudhe Will d Hii "
| blue pencil pressed strongly into the flesh.
"Can You give me any news Of my friend
Thrackles?' asked barrow lightly. "Or the
esteemed Pull? Or the scholarly and ur-
bane Robinson of Ethiopian extraction:
| Dead" said the captain.
"Ah, a pity" said the other He put his
hand to his forehead. II had thought 1t
| probable" His face twitched. Dead?
| Very good. In EMBELLISHMENTS
He began to laugh. quite to himself. 1t
was not a pleasant laugh to hear. Trendon
caught and shook him by the shoulder.
drop It," he said.
| barrow seemed not to hear him. Dead
all dead" he repeated. And I've outlasted
'em! - en- I've outlasted 'em!" And
his mirth broke forth in a strangely shock
ing spasm.
Trendon lifted a hand and struck him SO
powerfully between the shoulder blades that
he all but plunged forward on his face.
| "Quit IT." he ordered again. Get hold OF
| yourself!'
barrow turned and gripped him. The sur.
geon WINGED with the pain of his grasp. II
| can't" gasped the maroon, between parox.
, ysms. 1--WE been living in -. A black
| shaking shivering -, for God knows how
long . What do you know? Have
you ever been buried alive? And again the
agony of laughter shook him.
! This, then" muttered the doctor, and the
hypodermic needle shot home.
| During the return Darrow lay like a log
in the bottom of the gig. The opiate haG
done its work Consciousness was merci
1 fully dead within him.
(To be Continued Tomorrow