The Washington times., 1908-12-31

hasn't one chance in a
million to escape
But he addressed his observation 10
the empty air for Jim was already
husily engaged in spreading ont his new
set of sails. preparatory to getting them
in place
What are YOU going to do2-' asked
In" captain. stepping across the deck
and tapping him on the shoulder
Jim glanced up impatiently.
What am L going 10 do2 VIII. Get
this canvas mp. and then sail for Ma
Mia 90 carry the good news as fast as
the sloOD can travel"
The old soldier of fortune smiled \
shade pityingly-
There's girl IN Manila. I'll bet my
mead was his thought; but. aloud. he
only said:
1T won't do. my boy. If won't .7o
said you must play your cards right.
and that would be playing direct into
Starr Spencer's hand
Jim leaned back from his task and
looked mUtinous
bIcd. D'''
You must disappear from sight FOR
At least q year. Your taking IN rba
Sioop VIII be known. of course. as soon
as the cruiser reaches Manila II NOT
before. and your name coming into
prominence through this sensational
rescue will at once advertise Won borH
10 your enemies and the Officers in
search Of YOU. Hence. you must D.,
lost at sea
''Fh2"
Oh. only supposedly lost. Of course. b"
But that is nearly as bad growIed
Jim, thinking Of Helene. No. can
tain, no matter what the risk. I've got
TO go to ManilaT
Again Kirby smiled that comprehend
ing smile
oh, if there is some one person who
must be informed" he granted. Il SUD-
pose it Will do no harm. can carry
d message tO-her.'
Jim had the grace to blush
All right" he assented, hurliediy:
but, say, where am supposed to hang
up for this blooming year? Not on
that deadly old island, / hope"
Visions of unreIieved Vartra society
ior an entire twelyemonth did not espe-
cially appeal To him.
No the captain replied slowly
No, YOU must at least be in touch with
civilization, and how to work you back
and still allow the public to think your
self and your slOOp lost is a question.
''ia. i have It, ne cried, suddenly.
The COcOs Keeling Islands Ever hear
of them?'
Yes assented Jim, little doubt
fully. They're "A group off southwest
"t mere; somewhere, aren't they?
About loo miles southwest Of here.
and 5000 miles east of Africa. It's not
really a group. you understand. but the
reef In course of building around a cen
Jral lagoon-an atoU. as they call it,
It's a skeleton now. in other words:
but some day, according to the history
uf such formations. the KeeIings Will
oc one continuous island.
a veritable earthly paradise. my
boy" he went on, rehectiveIy. al
though a curious place. Admiral Fitz-
roy once said OF the KeelinCs: Every
thing is strange on these singular Is
.ands. where crabs eat cocoanuts. fish
rSt coral men ride on turtles, and shells
are dangerous man-traps.'
"And that is where / stay for INV
YEAR Interrupted Jim. thinking that
no mater how strange or beautiful the
place, 1t would be little of an earthly
paradise to him unless Helene were
with him, and wondering if II would
be possible 10 have her join him
there
els that where you stay?" repeated
Ca1tain Kirby. "Oh, no; that is only
The first step in your campaign. Here.
get me your chart book. and I'll out
line your movements for you.
''Tm the greatest adviser I'm the
world he added, with his quizzicaI
smile. "fOr everybody except myself.
Now" he continued, when the mans
were duly spread out before him. the
first thing you must do Is to 20 back
90 your island and load up with as
many Of these little gray pebbles as
YOU can conveniently carry on your
person The savaRes viii interpose
no objections, I suppose?"
"Oh. no. They may think me de-