The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1914-08-08
CHAPTER XII.
rHr KIpNApPEp pRIsoNEn.

/ lions TO the captain OF the Murtta 10
have his launch there. and now the
! American leaned forward TO ask the
! chauffeur If the boat was In sight
| IL was moored loosely TO the dock.
its engines ready TO be off in an in
/ slant.
! planking, the big machine stopped
and Cornish sprang out with little
grunt of relief AS he did so three
men from the launch hurried forward
with a great tarpaulin
Adele slipped from the car and with
out word ran down the wharf TO the
launch, whilo the men hastily wrapped
! Harcourt In the rubber blanket and
carried him aboard unceremoniously.
Turning to Farndale. Cornish grasp
ed his hand warmly. Sir Harry
you're a brick" no exclaimed eithu-
siastically. ~ leave II to your in
genuity 10 get back Sndetected and to
cover up the real movements OF the
car. Good-b ye-and good luckl"
Then he stepped into the launch,
and the little craft shot out rapidly
over the water 70 where the yacht lay
all ready TO weigh anchor. The day
was coming fast now and there was
no time TO be lost Cornish's instruc-
tons 10 the captain had been most
explicit. The Murita had cruissd of
Southampton until nearly daybreak
and had then run In close enough TO
permit the landing OF the launch.
Officially. the trim little vessel had not
been noted, and now IL they were able
TO get away before being observed.
or before the news of Harcourt's dis
appearance could cause a lookout for
departing craft, Cornish knew they
were safe-that the success OF his
carefully laid plan was assured.
His muscles stiff and sore. his head
aching violently, and his mouth
chafed and sore from the gag, Her-
court breathed sigh of relief when
he felt himself placed gently upon
what seemed TO be a bed, In another
moment the suffocating tarpaulir
was pulled from about him and some
one began to cut the bonds that cut
into his wrists and ankles
The two men who had carried him
departed noiselessly, and in the dim
light OF the little cabin. Harcourt
made out someone standing in the
doorway. A second later the electric
lights were switched on and he saw
Adele smiling mischievously at him.
Harcourt sat up with difficulty and
surveyed his dishcvelled appearance.
His evening clothes were sadly dis
arranged. and he blinked al the lights
as he rubbed his wrists ruefully.
Good morning, Lord Harcourt 70
Adele said gaily.
Il say what's this all about" he
stammered. still winking at tho lights
Isn't this a bit tough on chap. Miss
Cornish r.
Perhaps just a bit" she agreed
But you must blame dad-not me-"
His American idea OF Joke is Ger,
tainly rather rough, must say"
Tho girl laughed merrily. DO you
think it all a joker" she asked.
Isn't it?'
well not exactly" she explained
"Dad will be down as soon as We are
safely away, and he viii tell you all
about It."
My dear Miss Cornish" said Har,
court anNously surely we are not
leaving England"
I'm afraid We are But I must
leave you now You'll lnd clothing
and | think everything you'll need, In
that Ghost In the corner"
Am | being -ah-stolen?" he de
manded in astonishment,
Adele laughed again at his per
plexity Yes. you are q prisoner"
she told him But do not fear-you
will not have TO marry me In order to
ransom YOURSELF Now promise me
that YOU will not try TO leave this
cabin until father comes to see you.
Then can leave you to dress IN
peace"
but. Miss Cornish--if this vessel Is
leaving"
There are guards at the door" she
said interrupting him. "If you should
try to get out they would only be
Obliged 10 use force--so | hope YOU
will do as | ask OF you
lie stared at her questioningly, I'M
able 10 believe his ears. For nom.
ent the girl returned his gaze quite
seriously, then, az he was about TO
speak again, she turned and fed,
closing the door noiselessly behind
her.
Sitting on the edge OF the bed
alone in the cabin -Harcourt tried 70
puzzle out the events OF the night.
Unquestionably these people had de.
liberately carried him off by force
against his will And the most as.
tonishing part OF II was the fact that
Darlington and Farndale-and even
Sir Thomas--had taken part in the