The Detroit times., 1915-10-28

Hernandez smiled-smiled biz
too grinily. Perhaps" he said. -
can nnd some Annette llington who
viii do my bidding. At any rate.
there will hereafter BE- no Annette
Ilington who will try to thwart
me-"
Neal started. "whst do you
meanr he said.
II mean." returned Hernandez.
with q gesture toward the smuggler
OF Martinique. that In all parts OF
the world I am able 20 find people
who do my bidding. This gentle
man can do II we'll. I may % well
tell you. children, that you have Per.
haps an hour to live. perhaps less"
The brute looked up. his eyes
CLASSY. strange. He rubbed q red
spot on his arm-the mark left By
Hernandez hypodsrmic needle.
"You are right, Ponto." said Her
nandss. 1T was the only way to
drug him. Lend me your whip"
He seized the whip and struck the
brute heavily across the shouldsrs.
The brute sprang TO his feet, growl.
Ing In his throat. but he fell back
before Hernandez.
Ponto united . single knot--the
knot that bound Neal to a stanch-
ION. Then at another word the
brute seised Neal. struggling. In his
arms and with him descended
through the passageway.
Annette viewed this proceeding
with alarm. She struggled fercely.
Five minutes later the brute re-
turned and once moro under the
singing lash of the whip seized
Annette and bore her below. Her
nandes and hts two companions fol.
lowed them down.
"Ah." said the smuggler to Neal
and Annette. this house has all ap-
r ointments. This II the swimming
pool, my friends. You can swim
here for one hour--or less. This IL
In truth q cavern of death. hate
10 do IT," he added just before he
disappeared. "but needs must when
the devil drives"
There was . click as the stone
trap dropped into place.
This 10 . pretty pickle" exclaim-
ed Neal to Annette.
They were lying on opposite sides
of tina black pool.
III you can crawl" said Neal.
''crawi for your life
Annette understood. Little by lit
tie Neal worked himself along his
side OF the ledge. and Annette along
here. each gradually approaching
the other around tho circle. Finally
their heads touched.
Careful" said Neal; "close to
the wall. Now let me have your
hands. Let me unbjnd you nrst."
On the surface Of the earth above
Hernandez and his companions load
ed their cases into d card and drove
far across the wilderness into Q ra-
vine.
Here" said the man Of Manin-
iQue. lifting up the cover Of . metal
box set In the rock, "hers IT, the
switch OF which I spoke. One turn
of the wrist--pouf--then oblivion"
Il gave them an hour" said Her
nandex erimly. and keep my
word Let 10 drink."
On the shore below the cliff at
the foot OF the forb'dding Rasor
Back a sponge diver disported him
self In the water beside his boat.
cutting and tearing sponges from
their native home OF rock and coral
for a living. Then suddenly he for
got the business OF collecting
sponges.
He rose again. emr handed this
time, and dived again. pesring at
something strange and new. Then
with downwardslanting strokes he
suddenly disappeared. He came up
In IN instant in almost total dark
ness, then bobbin. on the surfac
he rubbed hts eyes. ,bbering ex-
ca. edly.
Hey there" cried voice, land
who are your
The sponge diver jabbered some
more. Well might he jabber. 1t
was q strange sight that confronted
him. Two young people were seat
ed almost In darkness on the edge
of Q black pool.
How did you set heref" queried
Neal. -. ,st4 sff
The man for al his jabbering was
polygiot. He knew pidein English
and Neal knew how to talk II. %
they got along admirably together.
Nea told him his story. The man
climbed up upon the ledge and Ne
tened eagerly. suddenly he grew
excited. II was evident that ne
knw the reputation Of this place.