The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-15

The guards were coming on rhe
double, the officers two lengths
in the lead. They had scented
trouble.
"Order them to haiti" l snap
| ped to the Duke.
A sneering laugh was my an
swer.
Very WE'LL" said L
| did not want to use cartridges
still less to waste them If used,
SO some one had to die and quick
ly.
raised my automatic and fired
twice-and the officers went
down in a heap.
Instantly Brinsmade pressed
his automatic against the Dukes
head and raped out:
Halt them!-quick, or [ fire."
There is something very per-
suasive about a revolver's muz-
zle; the Duke weakened at once.
Halt" he cried, his voice
trembling; as much from anger as
fear; it seemed to me. Halt, |
say"
The guards drew up.
bid them return swords and
throw them in pile on the pave
ment," Brinsmade continued;
l"then let them withdraw to direct
ly in front of your residence"
The Dukes face was something
to behold, but he gave the order.
The guards wheeled about and
marched away.
Now We will trouble yon and
] the Marquis to accompany us 20
the launch" said | to the Duke !;
but first, we shall have to ask
you to let us bind your hands be-
hind you"
What! bound!" exclaimed he.
II will never submit to such"
Think again." 1 cut in. I'VE
are averse to death, but you will
force us to do it. Ah.-Mr.
De Verdenois, will you bind the
Dukes arms with your handker-
| chief"
Stepping forward, | tied the
Marquis wrists securely together;
he offering no opposition-he was
thoroughly cowed. When | turn
ed again to the Duke, De Verde
nois was just completing his job.
"All right, Mr.. Cardigan" he
remarked. Nov, when l get one
of these swords, I'll be better pre-
pared for emergencies"
Bring three of Them" said /.
We buckled them into place
smiling at Rosalind as l did it.
Where are you taking u.s."
the Duke demanded.
1--WE are not taking you-per-
ish the thought AS l said be-
fore, you are accompanying us to
our launch to wish us godspeed."
Shall we then be at liberty to
return" the Duke growled.
Undoubtedly. At the entrance
to the underground passage, you
both will be unbound and put
overheard, and be free to swim
ashore"
I'VE cannot swim"
Then you're about to have an
opportunity to learnt Brinsmade
laughed.
1--WE shall be drowned" the
Marquis protested.
TT is quite possible. if you
can't SWIM" Brinsmade shrugged.
We were down the steps and
well away from the pyramid when
suddenly Brinsmade turned to me.
"Hatch?" he inquired.
| raised my eyebrows in reply
and looked quickly at Rosalind
and Justine.
He nodded. We were agreed.
For the time, the men must take
their chances.
"Queer!" he said.
Very" l replied.
We came to where the stone
walk branched toward the har-
Dor. We were under the trees
now and the sun was filtered
through the leaves until its
brightness was subdued to early
twilight.
Then the curtain of vines and
moss doomed just before us. Be-
yond was the launch and safety.
No guard had risen in our path /;
1t had been as peaceful and as
quiet as a solitude. We drew
aside the dense festoons and
stepped out into the open.
The beach was there; the har-
Dor was there-but the launch
was gone,
"The launch" cried Rosalind
turning to me.
"Gone!" said land looked al
the Duke.
And mine also!" De Verdenois
added.
But ours was to wait for u.s."
Justine exclaimed. 81 don't un.
derstand."
You say that your launch was
also to remain?" Brinsmade
asked De Verdenois.
ASK your prisoner what he