The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1915-11-26

I AZ
rhcn at another word the bru,l
seized Neal. struggling. in his arms
ana with him dencendcd through the
passagoway.
Annette viewed this proceeding
with alarm. She struggled fercely.
Five minutes later tho brute re.
turned and once more under the sting.
ing lash OF the whip seized Annette
ana bore her below. Hernandez and
his two companions followed them
down
"Ah." said the smuggler to Neal and
Annette. this house has all appoint.
ments. This is the swimming pool.
my friends. You can swim here for
one hour-or less. This is I'm truth
cavern OF death. I hate TO do IT,"
he added Just before he disappeared.
but needs must when the devil
drives"
There was n click as the stono trap
dropped into place.
This is n pretty pickle" exclaimed
Neal 10 Annette.
They wero lying on opposite sides
OF that black pool.
III you can crawl" said Neal, crawl
for your life"
Annette understood. Little by little
Neal worked himself along his side OF
tho ledge and Annette along hers,
each gradually approaching tho other
around tho circle. Finally their heads
touched.
Careful" said Neal: "closo TO the
wall Now let me have your hands.
Let me unbind you hrst."
On the surface OF the earth above
Hernandez and his companions loaded
their cases into n cart and drove far
across the wilderness into a ravine.
Here" said the man OF Martinique.
lifting up the cover OF n metal box
set In the rock. here is the switch OF
which spoke. One turn OF tho wrist
pouf-thcn oblivion"
Il gave them an hour" said Herman.
iez grimly. and keep my word. Let
us drink"
On the shore below the elf at the
foot Of the forbidding Razor Back q
sponge diver disported himself In tho
water beside his boat. cutting and |
tearing sponges from their native |
home OF rock and coral for n living. |
Then suddenly no forgot the business
Of collecting sponges.
lie rose again. empty handed this
time, and diyed again. peering at some.
thing strange and new. Then with |
MISUNDERSTANDING 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 excitedly.
"Hey there" cried voice. "and who
are you!"
The sponge diver jabbered some
more. Well might he jabber II was
a strange sight that confronted him.
Two young people were seated almost
IN darkness on tho edge of a black
pool,
How did you get here7" queried
Neal.
The man for all his jabbering was
polyglot. lie knew pidgin English and
Neal know how 10 talk IL. 30 they got
along admirably together, Neal told
aim his story. The man climbed up
ipon the ledge and listened eagerly.
suddenly no grew excited. II was evi.
tent that he knew the reputation OF
his place.
You come with me-come right
away" he said.
Neal set the fast.waning lantern by
,nnettes side. One moment. dear"
10 said TO Annette. 'and will be back.
Z what he says is true"
In another instant with his hand
N the shoulder OF the sponge diver.
Veal was swimming down. down
oward the outer opening. AS he saw
he light filtering In from underneath
10 gave a gasp that almost choked
i'm.
In another instant he had returned
or Annette. and with her at his side
he two swan IN the direction that the
liver had taken.
The sponge diver still gesticulating
scitedly, hauled them rapidly into his
nall boat
mo row. you row-like the devil"
. exclaimed.
Neal rowod like the devil, and the a
Al lt.bottomol boat skinned over the
atar like mad Suddenly Annette In .
10 bow extended her right arm. y
Look. look, Neal" she exclaimed,
or Gods sake, look"
Neal heard first, then he looked, ano G
no looked the whole face of that
lge cliff behind them thrust itself /
TO the air and with a mighty roar u
opped into the sea.
."Ita Mount Pelee,". cried Annette,