The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-10-07

out being seen, because it has no win
dows except at the front and back.
Then, by crawling underneath, we can
hear everything that goes on inside
They're evidently going to examine
those books-heaven only knows
where they got themi If they find
the formula we'll hear them say so,
in which case He concluded the
sentence by significantly drawing his
forefnger across his throat
Owing to the necessity Of avoiding
observation, their progress was slow,
and it was an hour later before they
crawIed between the timbers which
supported the seaward side Of the
shack Only the roughly laid board
floor separated the two crouching be-
meath the shack from the unsuspect-
ing pair within it.
A few minutes later came an ejac-
ulation Of Impotence from Hope and
the thud OF a book tossed upon the
floor There's nothing in that book
that's certain he said, disgustedly,
and, a little later, Nor in this one
What shall we do now. Jarvis?"
they heard Cleo ask
AS soon as Hook and MOrTissey
return with the gasoline we will start
back" he answered. But, instead of
returning to San Francisco, what
would you think of our making
straight for Sandstone? It's the little
coast town where Doctor Owen lives
the man, you know, to whom Fitz-
maurice loaned the other book"
Mahlin did not wait to hear any
thing more. Reckoning to Satsuma to
follow, he crawled silently away
When they were out of earshot of the
shack he turned to his companion
You heard what they said, Satsu-
ma? There's another OF the books in
Sandstone"
Satsuma nodded.
eff that pair were out Of the way
Mahlin continued, cit would make
things a lot easier for u.s.
Satsuma again nodded assentingly-
Listen, then" said Mahlin. when
I was under the house there an idea
struck me. Do you remember the lit
tie Toulouse that we saw down by
the landing places"
Yes said Satsuma, who was per
son of few words.
We'll, I took a look inside it, you
remember. There was nothing much
in it except tools-and box OF dyna-
mite"
f'Hah!" exclaimed the japanese COM
prehendingly, 81 understand A very
good idea"
Suppose" said Mahlin, instructive
~ lowering his voice, that we put
few sticks of dynamite underneath
that old shack and light the fuse
Bangi They'd have to collect what
was left OF Master Naval Lieutenant
Hope and the girl with a shovel"
Darkness had fallen before the work
of planting the dynamite was complet-
ed, for they had to work with the ut
most caution in order not to attract
the attention of Hope and Cleo, whom
they could hear chatting gayly just
above them At last everything was
ready; the sticks Of explosive, look
ing not unlike yellow candles, had
been fitted with caps, and the fuse
had been cut to the required length
Mahlin, striking a match on his trou-
sers so as to deaden the sound, light
! ed the fuse
Listen, Jarvisl" Cleo whispered
suddenly. Ct heard a noise under the
housed"
Nonsense, dear" said Hope.
You're tired and nervous It must
have been the wind-or your magma
ton"
1T wasn't the wind and it wasn't my
imagination. I know I heard some
thing" insisted Cleo. I'm going to
see what it was" and she stepped to
| the door
Quick, JarYisI Quick" she called,
her voice vibrant with fear. Come
here!" and at her summons he leaped
| toward her.
As he did so there came a roar
which seemed TO split the heavens,
and the shack, Wrenched from its frail
supports as though by a giants hand,
trembIed for a brief instant on the
brink Of the cliff and then toppIed bod
/ Tly into the sea
CTO BE CONTINUED.)