The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-11-25

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.
All" said the smuggler to Neal and
Annette. this house has all appoint
ments This is the swimming pool.
my friends. You can swim hero for
one hour-or less This is in truth
cavern OF death. | hate TO do 1t.
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 a pretty pickle exclaimed
Neal to Annette
They were lying on opposite sides
OF that black pool
II 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 unbind you first"
On the surface OF the earth above
| Hernandez and his companions loaded
their cases into Il cart and drove far
across the wilderness into rayine.
Here" satd the man of Martinique.
/ lifting up the cover of II 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
de- grimly. and keep my word. Let
us drink
! On the shore below the clir at the
! foot OF the forbidding Razor Back a
| sponge diver disported himself in the
water beside his boat. cutting and
! tearing sponEes from their native
] home of rock and coral for "A living
Then suddenly he forgot the business
OF collecting sponges.
He rose again. empty handed this
/ thing strange and new. Then with
/ downward -slanting strokes he sud
/ denly disappeared. He came up in an
| instant in almost total darkness, then
! bobbing on the surface he rubbed his
eyes. jabbering eNcitedly.
Hey there. cried voice. and WHO
are YOU"
The sponge diver jabbered some
more. Well might he jabbcr. IL was
strange sight that confronted him.
! Two young people were seated almost
/ in darkness on the edge OF a black
j pool
How did you get here?" qucried
! Neal
The man for all his jabbering was
! polyslot. He knew pidgin English and
/ Neal knew how to talk II, so they got
along admirably together. Neal told
him his story. The man climbed up
upon the ledge and listened eagerly.
| Suddenly he grew excited II was evil
dent that he knew the reputation OF
| this place.
You corc with income right
away" he said
Neal set the fast.waning lantern by
! AnnCtte's side. One moment. dear"
lie said TO Annette and l will be back.
II what he says is true"
In another instant with his hand
on tEo shoulder OF the sponge diver.
Neal was swimming down. down
toward tho outer opening. AS he saw
the light filtoring in from underneath
he gave n gasp that almost choked
| him.
In another instant he had returned
for Annette. and with her at his side
the two swan in tho direction that the
diver had taken.
The sponge diver, still gestlculating
excitedly hauled them rapidly into his
small boat
Mo row, you row-like the DEVIL"
hc acclaimed.
Neal rowcd like the devil. and the
fatbottomed boat skinned over tho
water ike mad Suddenly Annette in
the bow extended her right arm.
Look. look. Neal she exclaimed.
for God $ sake lool,."
Neal heard first. then he looked. and
"a he looked the whole face of that
huge cliff behind them thrust itself
into the air and with mi~''y roar
dropped into the sea.
ITS Mount Polee." cried Annette.
covering her face with her hands
Neal shook his head THAT isn't
Pelee." he returned grimly. It's lyna.
mite--if ! know anything OF Jyna.
mite"
ITO RE CONTfNIflDl