Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-12-20

century 0elOT0 luo OtuLeSAlsAu'
But 10 was about to strike. The
moment had come for me to leave my
room and join my companions.
must not hesitate. even II Captain
Memo himself should rise before me
I opened my door carefully. and even
then as 1t turned on its hinges it seem
ed to me to make dreadful noise
Perhaps it only existed in my own i'm
agination
l crept along the dark stairs Of the
Nautilus. stopping at each step to
check the beating Of my heart.
reached the door Of the saloon and
opened it gently. 1t was plunged in
profound darkness The strains of the
organ sounded family Captain Memo
was there. He did not see me. In the
full light do not think he would have
noticed me 40 entirely was be absorbed
In the ecstasy.
l crept along the carpet. avoiding the
slightest sound which might betray my
presence I was at least Eve minutes
reaching the door at the opposite side
opening into the library.
l was going to open It when a Sigh
from Captain Memo nailed me to the
spot. l knew that he was rising. !
could even see him. for the light from
the library came through to the saloon
He came toward me silently. with his
arms crossed. gliding like a specter
rather than walking. His breast was
swelling with sobs. and l heard him
murmur these words. the last which
ever struck my ear:
"Almighty God! Enough! Enoughr'
Was it confession Of remorse
which thus escaped from this mans
conscience?
In desperation l rushed through the
library. mounted the central staircase
and. following the upper flight, rea ched
the boat crept through the opening
which had already admitted my two
companions.
"Let US 60! Let US gor' exclaimed
"Directly." replied the Canadian.
The ori6ce in the plates Of the Nau
illus was first closed and fastened
''own by means Of false key with
which Ned Land had provided him
self. The opening in the boat was also
closed The Canadian began to loosen
the bolts which still held us to the sub
marine boat
Suddenly a noise within was heard
Voices were answering each other loud.
". What was the matter? Had they
discovered our flight? felt Ned Land
slipping dagger into my hand
YES" l murmured. I'VE know how
to diet"
The Canadian had stopped in bis
work. But one word many times re.
peated. a dreadful word. revealed the
cause of the agitation spreading on
board the Nautilus. 1t was not we the
crew were looking after.
1.-THE maelstrom! The maelstromr
| exclaimed.
The maelstrom! Could more dread
full word in a more dreadful situation
have sounded in our ears? We were
then upon the dangerous coast Of Nor.
way. Was the Nautilus being drawn
into this gulf at the moment our boat
was going to leave its sides? We
knew that at the tide the pentup wa
tiers between the islands Of Ferrt
ana LOrOten rush with lrreslsuDIe VIC
lence, forming whirlpool from which
no vessel ever escapes. From ever,
point Of the horizon enormous waves
were meeting. forming a gulf justl!
called the Navel Of the Ocean,
whose power Of attraction extends t.
distance OF twelve miles. There no
only vessels. but whales, are sacrificed
as well as white bears from the North
ern regions.
1t is thither that the Nautilus, vol
unfairly or involuntartly. had been rul
by the captain.
It was describing a spiral. the cir
conference OF which was lessening b!
degrees, and the boat. which was stu
fastened to its side. was carried alon,
with giddy speed felt that sickl!
giddiness which arises from long con
tnued whirling round.
We were in dread. Our horror. wa
at its height, circulation had stopped
all nervous influence was annihilated
and we were covered with cold sweat