The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-11-11
CHAPTER Xxx.
Cornered.


The ensign in the bow of the naval
launch scanned the coast line with
care.
This Crooked Crag hotel is an un-
canny place" he said. "Theyv PROB
ably got lookouts posted everywhere.
We'd better land half mile away and
take them from the rear.
His brother ensign grunted Dol
lars to doughnuts were on a wild
goose chase. he said. III there's any
place that covers up its tracks it's
Crooked Crag You're right though,
we'll take them from the rear"
They landed half nile up shore
and as quietly as possible trauped
for mile through underbrush in the
general direction of the granite rock
which stood out clear above the tree
tops. They halted on the edge OF the
clearing. from the center OF which
rose the hotel itself
Form circle, said the ensign,
surround the place, and all close in
at once. No matter what happens,
don't let ANYBODY get away.
One OF the ensigns beekonea TO
Neal. Come with me- he said, you
know the man we re after and can de-
scribe him III need you and about
three more besides.
With rhythmic. ringing steps. the lit.
tie squad crossed the clearing. darted
up the rustic staircase AMI tramped
across the vcranda of the hotel. Sol
niger Iaet them at the io3r
Yes" gentlemen" he said. bowling,
what can | serve YOU"
Serve us nothing said the ensign
sternly. We are looking for a snug
gler that you have got. He is here.
We know he is here and We are go
ing tc get him.
Meantime hernandez had entered
the room where he had confined An
nette Once more he locked the door
behind him and without a word crossed
the floor toward her Annette had
made up her mind just what to do
She must fight with a woman's weap-
ons and she had woman's weapon
hat pin.
She waited until hernandez was
within three feet OF her. then she
raised the weapon and sunk II deep
into his outstretChed arm.
His face white with anger. Herman
dez caught her roughly by the throat.
But he had forgotten something
gotten that she had inherited tremen-
dous strength Young and graceful as
she was, her every muscle was well
trained With one strong sweep OF
her arm. she threw him OF and then
plunged into a fight. the fight OF a
wildcat against wolf She tore a
his face and head. clutchinG for his
eyes. trying for Il hold upon his ears.
Time and again she repulsed him.
then with one Wild clutch she caught
him by the hair and held him with a
strong grip OF her right hand while
she pummeled his face with small
but energetic left.
Hernandez retreated 10 the door. un-
locked ii and gave vent 10 low whis'
tie. His whistle was Immediately an
swered. Ponto entered the room,
dragging with hir the huge brute.
Seize her" he demanded OF the
brute.
The girl stared at this huge figure
with terror in her eyes.
The brute started across the floor
and then Whispering, with hands
hanging at his sides. turned away
from her, Hernandez nodded &c his
assistant. Ponto. Ponto drew his ever,
ready whip and dashed the brute into
obedience. The huge man. still within
pering. caught the girl in his arms
and held her.
Hernandez. without the slightest
conjunction. tore open Annette
waist
You vixen" said Hernandez be
tween his teeth. Il will get that map
IL l have to fay you"
Meantime. one by one. on the lower
floor. the ensign's cohorts had strug
| gled in. Each saluted as he came.
It's no use" they whispered TO the
ensign. "Solinger's got US beat. We
can't find anything"
Neal was the last u come. He had
made thorough search.
A seaman ran lightly UP the steps
| into the office and saluted
BEG your pardon. sir, he said. q
found this in a crevice in rock be
hind the house. II looks bad. sir"
He handed over the message which
Annette had scrawled upon the card
| OF Irene Courtier-the message that
she was confined In an upper room