Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1915-01-07
THE
THE
MASTER KEY
Continued From Page 81

he plunged through the shallow panel
with DOrr NJ his shoulder
Once through they paused In tn,
semidarkness TO orientate themselves
Finally the lieutenant stepped forward
'"rhis way" he said. II hear voices"
AT that very moment there came ur
10 them an unearthly scream. a shrek
OF pure terror.
"Ruthl" John yelled. and he and the
officer both plunged forward.
Instead of the firm footing they ex-
pected empty afr received them. Twen.
ty feet below they struck the water.
SplutterIng and swearing. the police
man helped Dorr to little ledge that
ran alongside the tunnel.
'The miserable ChInk dropped us
into the big sewer" he gasped. 1T
runs into the bay just little ways
on. Wen have to swim for IL. part.
ner"
Dorr looked down at his arm and
shook his head Isn't that a boat
over therey he demanded. pointing
into the shadow
BLAMED If it amt" said the lieuten-
ant. much relieved. Wen soon be
out of here
In spite Of his wound Dorr insisted
on rowing. and the officer philosoph-
ically allowed him to. seating himself
gingerly In the stern OF the little craft
and Tending it of the brick walls Of
the tunnel with his hands as the swift
current drew them onward.
To John the whole affair seemed like
a dream. He saw the great dripping
arches sliding past overhead to join
the long vista of arches that bridged
the glimmering water which spashed
gently along to the call Of the tide: he
saw the dark bulk Of the lieutenant i'm
the stern; he felt the pain of his wound;
he still heard Ruths wild call for help.
But 1t was all unrelated. as il each
were fact by itself. isolated He
struggled to gather his senses together.
Look outr shouted the policeman
suddenly as the great half cylinder
curved sharply and blast of fresh air
struck them. wen be swept out into
the bay. Keep the boat TRIM"
Awakened by this warning. John de-
voted himself to his oars and a half
moment later steered their little craft
out under the piles of wharf
where 10 now" he demanded DULY.
The lieutenant pointed thick fore
finger toward another small boat a
few rods away. There is Sing Wah
now, by smoker' he exclaimed.
John Dorr glanced around. He frst
saw the impressive visage of the Chi
nese and then the figure crouched in
the stern sheets. II was Ruth, He
raised his voice In a Triumphant yell
Hearing that call from her mate, the
girl reused herself and cried back
ACROSS the water: John. Johnw
AT this point the police officer took
part with a stern order to Sing Wah
to stop rowing and surrender. He en-
phasized this command by covering
the Chinese with his revolver.
Sing Wah was Of no mind to be
caught in this way. With dexterous
sweep OF the oars he swirled his little
skiff around so that Ruth was between
him and the other boat. and he never
ceased to pull doggedly away.
You've got to row, SON." said the
lieutenant grimly. "Mr. Sing Wan
doesn't intend to be caught so easily.
| daren't shoot for fear of hitting the
girl"
John saw the reasona bleness OF this
and bent to his oars without regard |
10 his wound. The boat surged |
through the water after the other.
With good lead of IA hundred yards
Sing Wah stood fair show of gaining
his object-a landing under some
wharf and quiet escape. He knew
hat If he were to fall into the hands
If the police under the present cir
he would be treated mer-
,ilessly. He rowed furiously.
But the Chinese had long since ceas-
ed active life, and his muscles were
soft. John Dorr steadily gained on
him. Slowly he crept up, foot by foot,
Inch by inch. his eyes fixed on the
'N~NAJ A5AaN VI tue Oh4NGt III tue
At last he caught encouragement
from the policeman's face. He heaved |
the skin fairly out Of the water. grasp
ed the stern of the other boat and be-
fore the Chinese could clear himself
for a leap overheard was upon him.
Now. Sing Wah was true oriental. |
II showed in his swift drawing OF a
knife and a swifter slash at John !
DORIS arm. But he was too late. With |
an inarticulate roar OF rage John flung
the knife overheard and then nung its
owner after It
Sing Wah gone and swimming away
toward the shelter OF nearby wharf,
John strobe back TO where klth lay
half inanimate and picked her up In
his arms.
Honey! Honey" he murmured
You're safe with me-"
Very slowly she oDened her ewes and