The Detroit times., 1915-10-28


Hernahdex smiled-smiled q bit
too grimly. Perhaps" he said. II
can nnd 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
mean" he said.
II mesn," returned Hernandez.
with q gesture toward the smuggler
Of Martinique. that In all parts OF
the world I am able to find people
who do my bidding. This gentle
man can do II we'll. l may % well
tell you. children. that you have per-
haps an hour to live, perhaps less"
The brute looked up. his eyes
CLASSY. strange. He rubbed q red
spot on his arm-the mark left By
Hernandez hypodsrmic needle.
"You are right. Ponto." said Her
.nsAdex. 1T was the only way TO
drug him. Lend me your whip"
He seised the whip and struck the
brute heavily across the shoulders.
The brute sprang to his feet. growl-
ing In his thaoat. but he fell back
before Hernandes.
Ponto united q single knot--the
knot that bound Neal to a stanch-
ion. Then at another word the
brute seized Neal. struggling, in his
arms and with him descended
through the passageway.
Annette viewed this proceeding
with alarm. She struggled fiercely.
Five minutes later the brute re-
turned and once more under the
singing lash of the whip seized
Annette and bore her below. Her
nandez and hts two companions fol-
lowed them down.
"Ah." said the smuggler to Neal
and Annette, this house has all APP
r oihtments. This is the swimming
pool. my friends. You can swim
here for one hour--or less. This il
in truth cavern OF death. hate
10 do It." he added just before he
disappeared. but needs must when
the devil drives"
There was q click as the stone
trap dropped into place.
This Is a pretty pickle" exclaim.
ed Neal TO Annette.
They were lying on opposite sides
Of tina black pool.
If you can crawl" said Neal,
"crawi for your life"
Annette understood. Little by lit.
tie Neal worked himself along his
side of the ledge, and Annette along
here. 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 unbind you FIRST"
On the surface Of the earth above
Hernandez and his companions load.
ed their cases into q card and drove
far across the wilderness into q ra-
vine.
Here" said the man of Manin-
ique. lifting up the cover of a metal
box set In the rock, here is the
switch Of which I spoke. One turn
of the wrist--pouf--then oblivion. :"
II gave them an hour" said Her
nandez grimly. "and / keep my
word Let US drink"
On the shore below the cliff at
the foot OF the forb'dding Razor
Back sponge diver disported him.
self in the water beside his boat,
cutting and tearing sponges from
their native home OF rock and coral
for a living. Then suddenly he for
got the business Of collecting
sponges.
He rose again. en- handed this
time. and dived again. peering at
something strange and new. Then
with demonstrating strokes he
suddenly disappeared. He came up
in an instant In almost total dark
ness, then bobbin~ on the surfac
he rubbed his eyes. ,bbering ex-
CT, eddy.
Hey there" cried voice. land
who are you?"
The sponge diver jabbered some
more. Well might he jabber. II
was a strange sight that confronted
him. Two young people were seat
ed almost In darkness on the edge
Of a black pool.
How did you get here!" queried
Neal
The man for all his jabbering was
polyglot. He knew pidsin English
and Neal knew how to talk II. so
they got along admirably together.
Nea told him his story. The man
climbed up upon the ledge and lis
tened eagerly. Suddenly he grew
excited. II was evident that he
knw the reputation OF this place.