The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-06

tnem. SalQ Annette DeliiSerenliy'
"You are not Annette Ilington.'
Hernandez smiled-smiled a bit too
grimly. Perhaps" he said. Il can
find some Annette llington who will
do my bidding. At any rate there will
hereafter be no Annette Ilington who
will try to thwart me-"
Neal started. What do you meant"
he said
Il mean returned Hernandez, with
a gesture toward the smuggler of Mar
Unique, that in all parts of the world
I am able to find people wEo do my
bidding. This gentleman can do it
we'll. l may as well tell you, children.
that you have perhaps an hour to live,
perhaps less"
The brute looked up. his eyes
CLASSY, strange He rubbed red spot
on his arm-the mark left by Herman
dez' hypodermic needle.
"You are right, Ponto," said Herman
dez, ut was the only way to drug him.
Lend me your whip"
Annette viewed this proceeding
with alarm. She struggled fiercely.
Five minutes later the brute re-
turned and once more under the sting
ing lash of the whip seized Annette
and bore her below. Hernandez and
his two companions followed them
down.
"Ah," said the smuggler to Neal and
Annette, this house has all appoint
ments. This is the swimming pool.
my friends. You can swim here for
one hour-or less. This is in truth
cavern of death. l hate to do it,
he added just before he disappeared
but needs must when the devil
drives"
! There was a click as the stone trap
dropped into place.
! This is pretty pickle exclaimed
| Neal to Annette.
They were lying on opposite sides
of that black pool.
If you can crawl" said Neal, crawl
for your life"
Annette understood. Little by little
Neal worked himself along his side of
the ledge and Annette along hers,
each gradually approaching the other
around the circle. Finally their heads
touched.
Careful" said Neal; CLOSE to the
wall. Now let me have your hands.
Let me unbnd you first
On the surface of the earth above
Hernandez and his companions loaded
their cases into cart and drove far
across the Wilderness into ravine
Here" said the man of Martinique
lifting up the cover of a metal box
set in the rock, here is the switch OF
which spoke. One turn of the wrist
pouf-then oblivion"
Il gave them an hour" said Herman
dez grimly, and keep my word. Let
us drink"
On the shore below the lift at the
foot of the forbiddng Razor Back {
sponge diver disported himself in the
water beside his boat, cutting ant
tearing sponges from their native
home of rock and coral for living
Then suddenly he forgot the business
OF correcting SpOnScS
He rose again, empty handed thii
time, and divcd again, peering at some
thing strange and new Then will
demonstrating strokes he sud
denly disappeared. He came up in al
instant in almost total darkness, thel
bobbng on the surface he rubbed hi
eyes, jabbering excitedly.
Hey there" cried a voice, land VIII,
are your
The sponge diver jabbered SOM
more. Well might he jabber. 1t wa
strange sight that confronted him
Two young people were seated almos
in darkness on the edge of blacl
pool.
How did you get here?" querie'
Neal
: The man for all his jabbering wa
polyglot. He knew pidgin English an
Neal knew how to talk it, SO they go
along admirably together Neal toll
him his story. The man climbed u
upon the ledge and listened eagerl,
Suddenly he grew excited. 1t was ev
! dent that he knew the reputation G
this place.
l You come with income RICH
+ away" he said.
+ Neal set the fastwanng lantern
Annette's side. One moment, dear
he said to Annette, and will be bacl
! If what he says IS true"
: In another instant with his han
on the shoulder of the sponge dive
> Neal was swimming down, dow
toward the outer opening. AS he sa'
the light filtering in from underneat
he gave gasp that almost choke
him
In another instant he had returne
for Annette. and with her at his sid
) the two swan in the direction that tn
diver had taken.
The s.or.c G:vcr, still gesticulatin
l. c&c..cdl5' h&e!cd them rapidly into hi
) snail hoat
-" in" you row-like the devil,
, q, claimed.
Neil row'I like the devil. and tn
Eat botIumei beat skinned over th
u -atcr l'.c r1,l SadG My Annette /
he bow ext, ,Gcd her right arm.
Look. look, Neal. she exclaimed
70" cod S sake, look"
: No. hc..Td first, then he looked. an
4 IS he looked the whole face Of tina
u ugr elf behind them thrust itsel
into the air and with a mighty roa