Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-14


The district attorney placed be-
fore Annette a bulky document.
You will be compensated LOT
this Lost Island" he said, "and the
government stands ready now 10
make you a substantial advance or
money upon the signing of this pa
per. A war emergency fund per-
mits of a considerable immediate
disbursement. 1t will enable you TO
start your mines-if there be mines
on your island-it will enable you
to market your wares. Sign here
and here"
Anette signed-and sighed with
relief.
That's DONE" she exclaimed.
The admiral bowed. All rose.
You are rendering our country a
great service, Miss Ellington" he
said, land your country will do its
level best to protect you. Can we
do more?"
"My country renders me great
service" said Annette simply, land
/ thank you for it, sir"
The admiral smiled. He glanced
at Neal. ''You have Ensign Hardin
here to thank for bringing us to-
gether." he remarked.
Neal flushed. He saluted. 81
understand, sir" he said, that
am to command the expedition
YES" interposed the command
er, we've arranged all that with
the captain of a steamer. He agrees
that what you say shall go-and
you'll say il, / feel sure"
I'm say anything and do any
thing" returned Neal, "for my
country and my-and Miss Annette
Ellington"
He said a good deal to her on
the way back to her Los Angeles
hotel-and kept on saying it.
But" he added at parting,
careful now. Don't take risks.
This man Hernandez is a wonder.
I take my hat off to him. He never
knows when he's beaten"
Hes beaten now" returned An
nette. particularly if he knows all
that has transpired.
"He must know it, said Neal
land yet he may not Better be
careful Don't talk. Annette. Even
Joe welcher isn't safe-he talks too
much. A drink or two will make
Joe give up more secrets than he's
got. Be careful. Remember Irene
Courtier. if indeed that is her
name"
"I'n keep num-" said Annette,
didn't they tell me to-I'm under
treaty with the government-I'm a
monarchy-and monarchs never
talk"
He left her-still gravefy worried He
would have been more than worried mad
he known that within a quarter of a
mile of Annettes hostelry, in a secluded
cafe. sat Hernandez: with his two com
panions. the Brute and Inez Castro. He
would have been more tnan worried
had ne known. that with them was an
other indivIdual-Joe welcher, his own
foster brother and Annette's. welcher
was there-depressed. fearful, nervous
but drinking heavily. And he was
still the model. shrinking tool, the cats
paw. @
And what" uueried Hernandez
about the battleship Missouri"
Joe produced an extra-its headlines
devoted to the navy and the impending
AlIemanian war.
The Missouri" he announced. refer
ring to the paper, "steams away tomor-
row"
Where does she steam"
ITO San Francisco"
Friend welcher." went on Herman.
dez, does this Neal-does ne talk-do
you get inside Information"
There's none to get said Joe, "lf
there was any. I'd get IT, You get An
nette talking about the navy. and she's
like a house afire. But there's no COS
sip. The only thing I know is tina:
she's going ITO take the boat for Lost
Isle-sne goes southland Neal goes
north. And I'm glad of it, Here's where
they separate for once. I'm in love
with that girl
Inez clutched his arm fercely. And
what about me. young Americano?" she
exclaimed. "Charmer-yoQ said you
were infatuated with senorits Inez Cas-
tro"
Sure" returned Joe. fattered. I'm
infatuated with you-but like ner,
too"
Inez drew forth the hIlt of a stlletto