Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-11-24
NEAL of
the NAVY
By William Hamilton
Osborne
Copyright, 1915, By
william Hamilton Osborne.)

! He stopped the car before q house.
II was an ordinary dwelling. There
was no sign of life about It. The
grass in the dooryard was foot high.
Everything appeared unkempt. But
in the parlor window was sign: To
let, furnished. Hernandez stepped In
to the dooryard aud peered into the
windows.
We'll let it furnished-free-for
short time" he said.
He forced the door and entered.
"All the comforts OF home" he said,
smiling, fetch in the girl
Back in the city, Neal, of duty once
again. sought Annette at her hotel.
She's gone again-alone," said Mrs.
Hardin, "she would 60 She's so rest
less she couldn't sit still.
Neal smiled He was not worried.
He got a saddle horse and started
Oh in the direction taken by Annette.
Back in the deserted furnished
house. Hernandez still looked about
him.
We can hide here till doomsday,"
he laughed, running water, too. Look
here. Everything but food-every-
thing. Look-yonder on the mantel-
even pen and ink. This place was
meant for u.s." He bowed low. "Ah,
my charming friend Senorita ling.
Iton," he said to Annette who had re-
covered consciousness and was star
hing about her in astonishment, you
have had a long sleep-and pleasant
dreams hope"
He drew down the shades and
switched on the light.
"See," he added, you have slept
till evening-pretty sluggard. And
how is your good health. No bones
broken. That Is we'll"
Annette did not answer. Suddenly
she leaped to her feet.
"Joe," she cried, Joe Welcher-you
ihere?"
Yes" returned Hernandez, again
Gbowing, Joe is here-he has always
been herewith us. Joe is our good
pr1end. we owe MIN mucn-mucn."
He turned a sneering smile on We'll
cher. Annette uttered an exclamation.
"Joe-Joe," she cried lis it-true?"
Joe turned away-his chest heaving,
his eyes upon the door. "Aw, I'm no
good" he muttered.
Never mind. Joe, fair one" said
Hernandez, taking from his pocket q
legal document already carefully pre-
pared, I'VE have business at hand.
hphis document-you should really
know what It contains. 1t is in proper
shape, l assure you. A bit soiled per.
hRps, from long disuse in my breast
ipocket-but well worded. Look-it is
complete. 1t is even acknowledged
before a United States consul In Gen.
itral America-acknowled by you,
fair one."
1T is not" snapped Annette.
Fair Inez here" went on Herman
,dez, signed it Annette Ilington-the
consul was quite satisfied that she
was you. Butt have erased her sig
nature - she lacks the cleverness
called forgery. And your signature
may be on record somewhere-who
knows. Comparisons are odious. Let
us therefore be complete. Take in
hand a pen, my pretty. Sign your
name, over this erasure-opposite this
seal"
I'll never sign" returned Annette.
You will sign" said Hernandez
evenly, "and you will hand over to US
all the evidence you have upon your
person. Sign"
NO" said Annette.
We'll and good" went on Herman
dez in honeyed accents. Beast
hold her firm. Disobey and the lash
for yours" Hernandez took from his
coat pocket a piece of cord. He tied
the ends together.
Despite her struggles he fitted this
noose-like cord over Annette's head
and thrust into it a piece of wood.
Then he began to twist.
Tell me when you've had enough,
he said.
Like a stone from a catapult Joe
Welcher hurled himself across the
room and was upon Hernandez in a
flash. Under the assault Hernandez
retreated violently to the wall, strik-
ing his head against the mantel.
Are you crazy, you-worm" cried
Hernandez with snarl.
'Tve-turned," snarled Joe in re-
turn.
Without waiting for breath he flung
himself once more at Hernandez.
Help" cried Hernandez. "Inez-
tackle this mosquito"
Inez was valuable ally. She at
tackled Joe from the rear, and her as
sault was effectual Her onslaught
was 80 severe that it caused Joe to re-
treat. He did retreat until he faced
them both.
Now" said Hernandez. And both
descended upon him. Joe was ready
for them. He seized a chair and
whirled it about his head-frenzy lend
ing him violence and strength.
Come on" he cried, "all three of
you at once!"
With one wild final swing he brought
the chair crashing down on Hernandez
head. No, not on Hernandez head
IT fell short of that, but crashed on
something else-the chandelier above
Hernandez head.
There was ripping, tearing, crack
ing sound-and then a crash Down
lcame the chandaIiaY. IN q fauOIad hear