Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-03-18


fe that kicker. And be quick about
IL now
1T IS all right, senior, said the man
at the tiller; I'VE are about all hours
of the night No one thinks of US,
one way or the other" He pointed
out to sea. You perceive" he said,
there are other fisher boats" 90
Good" said Hernandez, the more
the merrier." -.
Without lights they kicked to with.
in almost hailing distance Of the Al.
bany. Then Hernandez showed a
light. 1t was Immediately answered
from the deck. 1t is good" he said,
I'VE understand each other" -
. IneZ FASTENED from the deck and en-.
tered her cabin. "
Her cabin was Annette's as well.
Her plans well laid-and she had felt
they were the only plans to make-she
retired for the night, but not to
sleep.
At three o'clock she rose, and un.
twisted the bundle that Joe had filch-
ed for her. She sighed with satisfac-
tion as she shook it out of its folds.
1t was q uniform-one Of Meals ShS
donned it swiftly hurried silently,
There was. no light In the cabin, save
the Moon, Sitting nj through port
holes Annette's face was bathed In
light. But Annette was fast asleep.
She Was totally obliYious to the
presence OF the proving figure in
male uniform who stole near and ever
nearer-who now CROPPED about her
neck. 1s''iss-s -
suddenly. with one quick and final
tug Inez wrenched at the channels
bag.
Annette woke with scream upon
her lips. But the hand of Inez was
uQicker than Annette's voice. Inez's
hand closed over Annette her, knee
crushed down her breast.
The wildcat In Annette rose. She
was d fine fighter She squirmed with
one twist out OF the grasp of this
unseen foe, and grappied with her as
sailant. 1nez was no match for her.
and soon found It out -.
Annette dragged her TO the ray Of
moonlight and looked at her.
she gasped and dropped her hold.
"You-Irene Couftier,, she cried.
But Irene-Inez Castro If you please
was no longer there. In that in
stant-ard that was the instant for
the last few seconds she had waited
for lin that instant she had leaped to
her feet and made her getaway.
And li1ez knew the Albany every
part OF that huge battleship she had
studied with the care Of an engineer.
She knew just what to do and where
to go, and how to elude. pursuit She
rushed to one spot where safety lay,
reached the rail, leaped over it, and
with the agility OF q professional diver
struck the water with scarcely a
splash.
NOW" said Hernandez to his helms
man, like mad for that spot of white"
Inez, fresh and supple notwithstand-
ing her struggle-in fact the struggle
had nerved her up-swam toward the.
fishing boat and the boat steamed
toward her. Within short time
almost less time than it takes to tell
it-Ponto was once more kicking the
Brute. And the Brute in turn leaned
over the side Of the kicker and with
the sweep of one powerful hand and
arm, drew q dripping object from this
water. 1t was Inez, gasping for
breath t
snow, like the devil for the shore"
whispered Hernandez.
They obeyed. But if Inez now gasped
for breath, Annette had ceased to gasp
for breath. Her first coherent thought
was to feel for her channels bag. II
was safe. Her next effort was speech.
She screamed at the top of her lungs.
Her third was action. She darted to
the deck and gave the alarm.
Within & moment a launch was
manned and had put on from the
cruiser Neal ID command.
Suddenly one of Meals men point
ed toward the shore. The searchlight
OF the cruiser was playing upon a
kicker making full speed south.
That's our boat" said Neal. like
the devil now"
In I'VE minutes they caught her.
Neal saw at q glance she showed no
lights. It convince him. Without a
word he swung his launch alongside
and his men leaned across the gum
vale. Every jack tar either had his
man by the throat. or was tickling
his ribs with q knife.
We've got 'em ALL" said some
body.
where's the woman? p queried Neal.
But there was no woman-no Inez
Castro. What's more there was no
Hernandez, NO Ponto, no Brute.
'tNo use" said Neal, .the birds have
flown. No use chasing tliefn,s ne con-
ceded, when those birds fy, they fly.
We've got to give 'em credit"
Annette" be told that young lady
later. II think now we're safe. The
job all along has been an inside job
Irene Courier has been handing you
Yes and me over to the enemy.
That was the game and the game
is ended. That's the way It looks to
me-"
CHAPTER XIV.