The Monticellonian., 1915-10-07
'Ts everything ready?" asked Del


 following him along the shore.
 Who's that?" cautioned one of the men, looking ahead.
 They hid hastily, for there was Elaine. She had seen the three and was about to level her glass in their direction as they hid. Finally she turned and discovered the steamer As she moved toward 1t, Del Mar and the others came out from behind reel. and stole after her.
 Elaine wandered on until she came to the dock No one paid any attention to her. apparently, and she made her way along the dock and even aboard the boat without being observed.
 No sooner had she got on the boat however, than Del Mar and his men appeared on the dock and also boarded | the steamer
 | The captain was still explaining to the men just how the drag hook worked when Elaine came up quietly on the deck. She stood spellbound as she heard him outline the detail of the plot. Scarcely knowing what she did 1 she crouched back of a deckhouse and | listened.
 Behind her, Del Mar and his men came along. catlike. A glance was sufficient to tell them she had over heard what the captain was saying.
 "Confound that girl" ground out Del Mar. Will she always cross my path? We'll get her this time."
 The men scattered as he directed them Sneaking up quietly. they made a sudden rush and seized her. AS she struggled and screamed they dragged her off. thrusting her into the captains cabin and locking the door
 Cast off" ordered Del Mar.
 \ few moments later, out ia the har- bor, Del Mar was busy directing the dragging for the Atlantic cable at a spot where it was known to run They let the drag hook down over the side and pulled 1t along slowly on the bottom
 
 I had decided to do some early mornin, fishing that day after the party. and knowing that Elaine and the others were usually late risers, said nothing about it, determined to | try my luck alone. So it happened that only few min 1 utes after Elaine let herself out quiet l ly, 1 did the same, carrying my fish ing tackle. I made my way toward the shore undecided whether to fish from a dock or boat. Finally l deter mined to do some casting from the shore
 1 had cast once or twice before was aware that I was not alone in the | immediate neighborhood. Some dis tanee away I saw little steamer at a wharf. A couple of men ran along the deck, apparently cautioning the captain against something. Then l saw them run to one side and drag out girl. screaming and struggling as they hurried her below | I could scarcely believe my eyes. It was Elaine!
 | Only a second I looked. They were | certainly too many for me. 1 dropped my rod and line and ran toward the dock. however. As l came down it. | I saw that was too late The little l steamer had cast off and was now some distance from the dock. I looked about for a motorboat in desperation anything to follow them in. But there was nothing, absolutely nothing, not even row boat. ran back along the dock as l had come and struck out down the shore
 
 Out at the parade grounds at Fort Dale, in spite of the early hour, there was some activity. for the army is composed of early risers.
 Lieutenant Woodward and Profes sor Arnold left the house in which the lieutenant was quartered, where he had invited Arnold to spend the night. Already an orderly had brought around two horses. They mounted for an early morning ride through the country.
 Of they clattered, naturally bending their course toward the shore, They came soon to a point in the road where it emerged from the hills and gave them a panoramic view of the harbor and sound.
 Wait a minute" called the pro lessor.
 Woodward refined up and they gazet off over the water.
 Whats that-an oyster hoat?' asked Woodward, looking in the direc tion Arnold indicated.
 T don't think so, so early replied Arnold. pulling out his pocket glas' and looking carefully.
 Through it he could see that some thing like hook was being cast oyel the steamers side and drawn bacl again.
 They're dragging for something, he remarked as they brought up al object. dark and covered with sea growth. then threw it overheard a though it was not what they wanted By George-the Atlantic cable land here-they going to cut it,
 Woodward took the glasses himsel and looked in surprise. That's right, he cried, his surprise changed to alarn in an instant. Here, take the glas again and watch. l must get bacl to the fort"
 He swung his horse about and gal loped of, leaving Arnold sitting in tn saddle gazing at the strange boa through his glass.
 By the time Woodward reached tn narade ground again. 8 field gun an