The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-11-28

their duel still until one or the other
won a final triumph.
Paul took train the same evening
for Seattle, where he found ship
upon the point of sailing for Sitka.
He arrived at that Alaskan port worn
out with apprehension and anxiety.
How soon the attempt was to be made
he could not know; but he knew
enough of the resolute characters that
dominated the League to be assured
that, since he had kept his destination
no secret, the blow would fall as soon
as possible.
The Pyloff islands, which had risen
in a week from the depths of the sea,
forming a little new territory of the
United States, lie five hundred miles
northwest of Sitka, over stormy sea-
A barren tract of lava and scoriae,
washed by the eternal waves, they
would have been wholly valueless but
for the deep-water harbor that at
forded anchorage to warships. When
Paul inquired for vessel thither he
encountered much quiet amusement
on the part of ship captains. The
single vessel which sometimes made
the trip into those waters-a whaler
had departed the day before, they
told him, bearing passenger. Paul
surmised that this was Won Holzrath
who had thus gained days start on
him. Doubtless he had been on his
way to the station at the moment of
their encounter in Washington. Two
days more passed before Paul. chaf1ng
at the delay, discovered a captain
willing to attempt the journey, but
finally he was able to set forth in a
small yacht, with a scratch crew, after
paying an enormous sum in insurance
The yacht, though small, was built for
ocean voyaging; rough weather was
happily not encountered; in the end,
after many an alienation between
hope and despair, he saw the gaunt
shores of the Pyloffs break upon his
view of the gray waste of waters.
And there, riding at ease upon the
face of the waters, were the battle
ships and cruisers of the Pacific
squadron.
No, they were not riding at ease
For, as his yacht drew nearer, Paul
saw, through his glasses, that they
were forming in line, the flagship
ahead. He knew what that maneuver
meant. The vessels were about to
enter the pass. He was too late.
Still he would not abandon hope
The captain drove the yacht forward,
heading her, at PauPs instructions,
straight toward the flagship. The race
was a close one, for there was the
chance of cutting under the vessels
ward. But the chance did not depend
upon speed. The flagship halted, a
warning gun rang out; the yacht put
about at the signal, and presently a
cutter from the admirals vessel came
skimming through the waves In a
few minutes Paul had stepped into
her, and, ten minutes later, he was in
the presence of Admiral Blake upon
the quarterback of the Virginia.
Your business?" demanded the ad-
miral sternly.
you are about to proceed into the
new roadstead," said Paul, casting a
look toward the line of warships, wait
ing upon the signal of their leader.
well, sir?"
Your pilot is in the pay of a hos
tile power. If you proceed you will
be broken upon the rocks"
who are you? Have you creden-
tials?"
Paul handed the admiral the presi-
dents letter. He read it with an iron
| ical smile and handed it back to Paul.
you are undoubtedly acquainted
with the contents of this" he said.
Pray read it,"
Paul read mechanically:
my Dear Admiral: Here is a young
man, the son of distinguished father,
who is in need of a few months Of
hard work to tone up his nerves after
course Of dissipation in Europe. At
present he is under the belief that the
Pacific squadron is In danger at the
hands of enemies. His name is Paul
Lane, and he is titular head of the
house of Lane, Erbfurth & Co. Please
enlist him Immediately at a seaman's
wages and put him to work for the
sake of his father"
Paul handed back the letter quietly
He had not expected this reception,
but he was in a measure prepared,
since, apparently, no one would take
him seriously. Then the Pacific
squadron must rush to her undoing.
Zone word" he said. "You do not
believe my story, Admiral Blake?"
81 believe you believe it," the ad-
miral answered.
Your pilot" pursued Paul, desper-
ately, lis a man named Won Holzrath
an Austrian, aged thirty-fve or so,
blonde
"a tissue of nonsense" exclaimed
the admiral impatiently. my pilot
is Mr. Brinn, for forty years one of
the most trusted men in the service"
The words recalled the words of the
princess. She, too, had spoken of the
pilot in that identical way. Paul had
gathered that, though willing to &C.
cept bride in order to relinquish his
trust, Brinn would have no share in
the destruction of his nations ships.
So he had proved more amenable than
had been anticipated.
"And now, Mr.. Lane, if you are sat
isfied with having held up the Pacific
squadron" said the admiral ironically,
81 shall obey the presidents instruc-
lions. You may employ the remainder