The Detroit times., 1914-10-29
The Million a e. s:,,s
.s'. 49, Dollar Mystery


you. Now, where is your father"
Il don't know: ! have never seen
him"
Braine laughed
And Jim's boat ran afoul some
rocks and into the water he vent. He
had not attracted Braine's attention,
fortunately. He began TO swim to-
ward the drifting launch.
Where have they hidden that
money!"
Il don't know"
We'll, we'll; I've given you your
chance. You'll have to try your luck
with the water again"
Florence. weak as she was, set her
lips.
You don't ask for mercy" he said
banteringly.
II should be wasting my breath to
ask for mercy from such a monster
as you are she answered quickly.
That damned Hargreave nerve"
he snarled
He rolled ND his sleeves and
self but did not turn her eyes from
came pair OF hands. One clutched
the gunwale and the other laid hold
OF Braiue. A quick pull followed, and
Braine began to topple. But even as
he fell he managed to fling himself
atop his assailant; and II was only
when the struggle began In the water
that he recognized the reporter. All
the devil In hin came to the surface
and he fought with the fierceness Of
tiger to kill, kill. kill. In nearly every
instance this meddling reporter had
'checkmated him. This time one or
the other OF them should stay in the
water.
Norton recognized that he had a
large order before him to disable
Braine. The recognition between
them was now frank and absolute;
there could never again be any diplo-
matte sidestepping.
you're dead man, Nortonl" pant
ed Braine, as he reached for the re-
porters throat
Norton said nothing, but struck the
hand aside. For q moment they both
went under. They came up sputter-
ing. each trying for hold. II was
terribly enervating struggle.
Florence could do nothing. The
boat In which she sat continued 10
drift away from the fighting men,.
Once she tried to reach Braine with
the pole he had been using. but
failed
From the shore came another boat.
For awhile she could not tell whether
II contained friends or enemies. II
was terrible to be forced to wait, alb
solutely helpless. When she heard
the newcomers call encouragingly to
Braine she knew then that the brave
fight OF her sweetheart was going to
come to naught. She knew a little
about motors. She threw on the pow
er and headed straight toward the
rowboat. The men shouted at her.
but she did not alter her course. The
rowboat had It's sides crushed In and
the men went piling into the water.
Jim she cried.
Norton suddenly flung of Braine
and began to swim madly for the mo-
torboat, which Florence had brought
about Even then II was only by the
barest luck In the world that Norton
rest Of II was simple. When they
ItdChcu - udNCu,
oddly enough. thought Of the horse
she had left tethered nine miles from
the stables. She laughed hysterically.
IL guess he won't die. We can
send some one out for him. Now. for
heavens sake, how did you get into
this? Where we're you? What have
you been up to-" with tender brusque-
ness.
II wanted to do q little detective
work of my own" she faltered.
1T looks as II you had done II.
You infant! win you never learn 20
keep outside this middle? It's a
mans work"
Florence, thoroughly weakened by
her long immersion In the water, be-
gan to weep silently.
you poor child I'm bruter And
he comforted her.
Later that day, at home, she re-
membered the blank paper.
IL stole this from one OF the men
In the cave. He said this blank pa
per would probably save father"
Jim took IL. HIM! Invisible ink,
and It's had fine washing"
"But maybe II IL waterproof"
Maybe IL Is. Anyhow, Miss Sher-
lock. Wen show II to Jones and see
what he says
1Coussuu~a MouAaxA