The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-03-10

10 Dunkers mind the newspaper
stories he had recently read. There
was no doubt In the world that this
box belonged to the missing million
aire, who had drawn a million from
his banks and vanished: and, more
over, there was no doubt in Dunkers'
mind that this million lay in the Ba-
haman waters. II had been drawn UP
from the bottom of the sound, under
the path of the balloon. He proceeded
then, to take most minute range
1t would require money and partners;
but half loaf would be far better
than no loaf at ALL and he was deter.
mined to return to New York to find
backing. Finding is keeping, on land
or sea.
Now II happened that his favorite
grog shop was a cheap saloon across
the way from the headquarters of the
Black Hundred; and Vroon occasion
ally dropped in, for he often picked up
valuable bit of maritime news.
Dunkers was an old friend of the bar
keeper, and he proceeded to pour and
guzzle down his throat a very poor
substitute for whisky. He became
communicative He Dragged. He knew
where there was a million, and all he
needed was first-class diving bell. A
year from now he would not be drink
ing cheap whisky; he'd be steering a
course up and down Broadway and
buying wine when he was thirsty.
He was no miser But he had to have
a diving bell; and where the blue devil
could he get one with s12 and an
Ingersoll watch in his pocket?
From his table Vroon made a sign
which the bartender understood. Then
he rose and approached Dunkers.
Il own pretty good diving appar-
atus," he said. IF you've got the
goods, I'll take a chance on a fifty
fifty basis" Vroon did not believe
there was anything back of his talk;
but it always paid to dig deep enough
to find out. Have a drink; and, Bill,
give us a real whisky and none of
your soap-lye. Now, let's hear your
yarn"
Il don't know yuh," said Dunkers,
with drunken caution. How is it,
Bill?" turning to the bartender.
Hes the goods, Jim. You've heard
Of Wyant & Coz"
Sure I've heard o. them. Best
divin' apparatus they is
well, this gent here is Mr.. Brooks,
general manager for Wyant G Co. I
can o. X. him."
Vroon threw an appreciative glance
at the bartender. He was not affiliated
with the Black Hundred, but he had
often aided Vroon in minor affairs.
"All right, If yuh say so, Bill. Well,
here's tn yarn"
And when he had done, Vroon
smoked quietly without speaking.
Don't yuh believe IT." demanded
Dunkers, truculently.
But 600 feet of water, in a coral
bottom, and no way of telling just
where it fell overheard. That's tough
20, it is. is it? I'm a sailor. can
lay my hand right over tn spot. Do
yuh think I'd be fool enough t. hunt
for it without a perfect ranger" Dunk
ers tapped his coat pocket suggestive
Iy.
And Vroon knew that the one thing
he wanted was there, plan or draw
ing of the range. So there was another
man shanghaied that night, and his
destination was Cape Town, % days
voyage by the calendar.
Vroon carried his information to the
that same night. They
would start the expedition at once,
and till this was accomplished, Har-
yreave's daughter was to be immune
rom attacks. Besides, 1t would give
Hargreave wherever he was) and the
others the idea that the Black Hun
1red had concluded to give up the
chase.
Above, with his ear to a small hole,
;killfully bored through the ceiling
without permitting the plaster to fall.
xnelt a man with bandaged arm. He
Gould never see any faces; no one
aver took off mask In this sinister
chamber. But there were voices, and
lie was going to forget some Of them.
After the meeting came to an end,
le waited an hour after, and then stole
Town into the street by the aid of the
Ire escape. Later, he entered . tele-
phone booth and called up Jones.
Then. one leathern and steel box.
iotted with bits of ivory and mother.
,fpearl, became two; and the second
me was soaked in midland salt water
or two weeks till you could not have
old 1t from the original. And that 10
Why Jones was able. some weeks later,
o hide once more the original box.
Is for the substitute. Just as Braine
vas about to use a mallet and chisel
lpon 1t. the lights went out. There
vas wild scramble. a chair or two
vas overturned.
"The door. the door!" shouted
3raine, furious.
II slammed the moment the words
eft his lips. And as suddenly as they