The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-10-11
C67MlLLIONEOuAR MYST[RYY1 Nc &zs sRkFa

toward the ships riding ut anchor.
Florence felt her heart sink IN spits q her
abundant courage. Were they going to take
her to sea again? She had acquired horror
of the sea, so big, so terrible. 70 strong. She
had had an experience with ttS sullen power.
They had gone about four miles down when
she looked back longingy toward shore.
Something white seemed to b spinning over
the water far behind. At first sbs could NOT
discern what it was. As she watched II Il
grew and grew. 1t finally emerged from the
Illusion Of gigantic bird into the actually
Of an everyday hydroplane. Her heart saw
a great bound This flying machine was con-
ing directly toward the launch; It did not d.
viate a hairs breadth from the line. Fortu-
nately the men were looking toward q huss
freighter . quarter Of mile farther On. and
from their talk II was evident that's that
freighter was to be ner prison-bound Tor
wheref Nearer and nearer came the hydro
piano. Was 1t for her!
It was impossible for the men NOT 10 take
notice Of the barking Of the engines at last
Tho things heading for us:'
vroon stared under his palm. 1t was not
credible tnat pursuit had taken place -
quickly. To test yonder man-bird he alb
ruptly changed the course Of the launch. The
hydroplans veered its course to suit.
Florence heard her name called falut1y.
One OF the men drew his revolver but vroon
knocked II out Of his hand
:" There's the pol,cs boat ron foolv'
Jump 4 voice called to Florence
A.,r~ -
slightest hesitation.
All this came about something after tails
fashion. When Norton arrived at the foot Of
Corey street boatman informed him that
young woman Of his description had rotten
into a fast motor boat and had gons down
the river.
WAS there any struggIeT'
"struggie' None That l could see. sh.
didn't make no fuss about going
Have you launchr'
Yes, but the other boat has half an hours
start, and I'd never catch her ia a thousa nd
years But there's hydroplane little above
nere. You might interest the Teller that
runs il"
Thanks"
But fine aviator would not listen.
"a life may hang In the balance, man"
szpostulated Norton. longing to pommel the /.
stubborn man.
what proof have Of thatT'
Norton showed his card and badge.
20. I see." jeered the aviator. "A littls
newspaper stunt in which l am to be the
goat. II can't be done, Mr.. Norton: it can't
b done"
A.. A hundred doilarsw
Not for FIVE hundred" and the aviator
callously turned away toward the young wom-
an with whom he Rad been aeonversing prior Z
to Norton's approach The two walked
dozen yards away.
Norton had not served twelve years A. =
metropolitan newspaper man for nothing. He
approach the mechanics who wers puttsnns
about the machine
How about twenty apiecer' he began.
"For WHAT the men asked.
For sending that paddle around 4 FEW
times"
"Get up into that seat. but don't touch
any of those levers one OF them warned.
Twenty is twenty, Jack. and the boss ID 4
sorehead today anyhow. Give her . shove for
the fun Of it."
1t was dumfounded aviator who saw hi
hydropiane skim the water and mou,snt
later sail into the air. These swift moving
days 1 reporter Of the 6rst calfbsr 10 supposed
to Be able to run railroad engines, submA-
rines, flying machines, conduct q war; able -
shoot. walk. run. swim. tight think, 60 with
out food like q pytaon, and live without water
like camel Norton had TOWN many times
during the last four years. At the moment
he called out to Florence to jump b dropped
to the water with all the skill Of an old umsa
and took her aboard. And hs could NOT uss
lire Of this exploit for his paper!
Jones heard the bell II was the agenA
from the Black Hundred He smiled jauntily.
Well. old fox, we've cornered Jon It list
haven't we? I want that money. or Har-
greave's daughter takes another sea voyage.
and this time she will not Jump overheard.
A million: and no more nonsense"
"Give me fifteen minutes TO decide. bsgged
Jones, hoping against hope.
Fifteen seconds
Then can't do business. What! Gtvs
you a million. knowing You N to b PACK
Of liars7 Bring Miss Florence back and ~
money is yours. We are tired Of Aghtag.@
As indeed Jones really was. The strain had
been terrific for weeks.
1.-THE money Arst We don't ns any bsttse
than you do. Fork ovsr. You'll have to trust
u.s. We have NO uss for tie siri once W ct
tine cash"
And youth never touch psnny Of Il. yos