The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-02-26

He returned the documentary ev1.
dence and the trinkets to his port
folio. These" he said to the district
attorney, II take with me-"
Exactly" said the other, I'VE have
photographs of all Of them. The in
vestigation has been of interest-a
curious situation"
The district attorney placed before
Annette a bulky document.
you will be compensated for this
Lost Island,' he said, land the gov
eminent stands ready now to make
you a substantial advance of money
upon the signing of this paper"
Annette signed-and sighed with re-
lief.
That's done," she exclaimed.
The admiral bowed. All rose. ''You
are rendering our country great
service, Miss 1lington," he said, land
your country will do it's level best to
protect you. Can we do more?"
Neal saluted. Il understand, SIR
''he said that am to command the
expedition" ,.,..-..,
YES" interposed the commander,
we've arranged all that with the
captain of steamer. He agrees that
what you say shall go-and you'll
say it, 1 feel sure'
I'LL say anything and do anything"
returned Neal, 'for my country and
my-and Miss Annette Ilington."
He said good deal to her on the
way back to her Los Angeles hotel
and kept on saying it.
But" he added at parting, care
full now. Don't take risks. This man
Hernandez is 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 left her-still gravely worried.
He would have been more than wor-
ried had he known that within quar-
ter Of mile of Annette's. hostelry,
in secluded cafe, sat Hernandez,
with his two companions, the Brute
and Inez Castro. He would have
been more than worried had he known
that with them was another individual
Joe Welcher, his own foster broth
er 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" quefied Hernandez,
"about the battleship Missouri"
Joe produced an extra7its head
lines devoted to the navy and the i'm
pending Allemanian war.
1.-The Missouri" he announced, re.
ferring to the paper, "steams away
tomorrow"
where does she, steamf'
ITO San Francisco"
Friend Welcher," went on Herman
dez, docs this NeaEdoes he talk
do you get inside information?"
There's none to get," said Joe, If
there was any, I'd get It."
Hernandez waved his hand. when
does the Missouri sail?" he queried.
"This afternoon" said Joe. III.
when she sails," went on Herman
dez, well get this girl. We need her.
We want her evidence we, want
her, too-until-until we have no fur
Their need Of her. What we shall run
into at Lost Isle no man knows.
want her with us there. Listen, Wei
cher. You must arrange it.. Our paths
must cross this afternoon"
Welcher fumed. II do all. the dirty
work." he said; '1'n through" E. ;.
Hernandez poured him another
drink, and handed it to him with a
glance that ate into Joe's soul.
The drink had Just the wrong eff.
feet. Joe became angry-noisy-
manageable.
I'll be damned if do your bidding
any MORE" snarled Joe. ,.,,
Hernandez darted a glance toward
Inez. She returned. it. .-,-.-,..
Leave him with me-" she said.
Hernandez did as, be was bid. He
left her alone with Joe. And in the
next fifteen minutes Inez Castro made
love to Joe as she never had before
She overwhelmed him with enchant
ment.
Tonight" she whispered to him
tonight, Americana. But breathe not
word to him-he will kill us both
Half an hour later Annette swung
out of the hotel grounds, mounted on
wiry little pony.
She spied Joe and drew in her steed
She noted that Joe was unduly ex
cited.
"Joe," she exclaimed. tell mother
I'll be SAFE"
Under certain influences Joe's mind
acted with unusual rapidity. Drink
and the dark eyes of Inez Castro had
set him we'll on edge. Without, a mo
ments thought he stopped by the road
side and plucked thorny burr. He
Strengthened up again, with the thorny
burr concealed within his hand HI
did not answer. Annette. at. first, but
approached her and her steed.
Good COW pony!"' he exclaimed. HI
stroked the horses nose, it's neck, it:
TANKS. And then he did another thing
"Safe as they make EN-" he con
tinued
Aud then he did the trick. Hi!
right hand stole gently up across tn,
horses back, behind Annette stole tt
the saddle.
swiftly-and annoticed--he pushet