The Ordway new era., 1915-09-03

telephone. 's - -r-
She opened 1t. pulled UP the little
aerials. and pressed the lever. Efga,a,s =
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
1t was her last chance. Would 1t
work? &. b q
By this time we had come in the
revenue cutter to the old dock that
was known as the Van bort jetty.
As we swung around to 1t. with Ken
nedy and Brainard leaped out. We
gazed about, hunting for signs Of the
opium smugglers. All was as still
as q grave, except for the ominous lap
ping OF the waves.
I happened to look down at the
ground. There In the light OF the Ian
tern l saw one OF those square-toed
footprints which We had come to
know SO well--the print Of Chinese
shoe.
The footprints led up from the dock
to an old, deserted, dilapidated house.
We paused a moment before 1t. Just
then a door opened and Chinaman
appeared.
With a cry he darted back. but we
were at him. There were others IN
side, too, but they were easily over
powered.
Prodding the reticent Celestials. we
retraced our steps to the jetty. Brain
ards men carrying the opium. At the
dock we loaded our prisoners and the
contraband on the cutter.
1t was plain that although we had
captured the dope, the ship which had
brought 1t had escaped. and. worst OF
all, WI had again slipped through our
fingers.
Brainard gave the order. and we
left the wharf. AS we stood gazing
from the captured opium to the prison.
ers, Brainard was visibly elated.
SHAKE" he said laconically to Craig.
Whether it was that he was dis
appointed at the failure to land WI
or whether he had a premonition that
all was not well, somehow Kennedy
did not share the elation. He extend
ed his hand mechanically.
Just then a buzz. as II bell had
rung startled us. 1t was SO unexpect-
ed that exclaimed. although the next
minute I realized that 1t was from the
wireless telephone Craig had asked me
to bring from the laboratory.
Kennedy seized the box. opened 1t
hastily and clapped the little receiver
to his ear.
"Hello-hello-yes. this Is Craig.
Where are you-what?'
OF course we could hear only one
side Of the conversation, but from the
look OF Intense horror that passed
over Kennedy's face l knew that some
thing terrible must have happened to
Elaine.
But at Crais's next words myself
gasped.
III you can get a light" he almost
shouted, thrust 1t out of the portfolio
to guide US. But we'll find you any
way. Keep up your nerve" a .s..i
We crowded about him.
"Braiuard a pair Of glasses -
quick" he cried, dashing to the bow
of the cutter, land full speed down
the bay"
Briefly, as he swept the horizon
ahead, he repeated the tale OF Elaine's
kidnapping.
We strained our eyes.
"That's it-Brainard-more speed!'
cried Craig at last.
Far of. almost out on the ocean. we
could see a tiny twinkle OF light Slow
ly waving back and forth.
In her prison Elaine had talked to
Craig, afraid to raise her voice too
high.
AS she heard Kennedy's instruc.
tions. she replaced the receiver ana
rose quickly to her feet from beside
the suitcase. She looked about. There
was a dingy oil lamp suspended from
a beam of the deck above.
She seized 1t and ran to the port
hole. Back and forth she waved 1t as
far as her arms would permit. .
As the schooner now slipped along,
Gregor, who had left the man at the
Wheel was gazing off. not particularly
happy at the prospect Of not touching
port for long time again. Sudden
ly he became aware OF peculiar,
though slight gleam on the water. He
leaned over the rail farther Below
and a bit forward of him he could
catch a glimpse of light moving
along the side of the boat.
"Confound that wench" he NUT
tered in a sudden fury. turning and
seizing up a boathook lying on the
deck
Raising it, he leaned far over the
rail. Then he brought the boathook
down suddenly on the lamp. smashing
II into a thousand bits as they Kissed
into the water.
Elaine drew back in horror. In her
hand was merely the handle OF the
lamp. 1t seemed as IL her last hope
had been blasted.
"Cap'n-look over the stern-to
port" cried one of the men on watch.
He pointed, and Gregor raised his
glass as the rest. including the China
man to whom WI had entrusted
Elaine. crowded about.
Tharo u,,u ,rchlipbt awnpnin1