The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-01
1.-THE SECRET OF The REEFS


/ imagine my father Is very keen
on finishing the job, and I don't
want him to>get worrying about
the delay" He paused, and add
ed frankly: Pm going to ask a
favor. He's not well. and I gath
er that you and he are to some
extent opposed. Now l can't ex-
pect you to sacrifice your interest.
but you might try to avoid any
heated dispute as far as possible.
Excitement isn't good for him."
1--WE can promise that" said
Jimmy. ut looks as IL you knew
nothing about the business"
IL don't. And, more than that,
! have no wish to learn any
thing"
We're not In a position to tell
you much IL you pressed us; but 1t
struck us that your father wasn't
looking very fit, and 1t might be
better if you stopped him from
going down"
II can't" Aynsley answered
with smile. I'm afraid l
haven't much control over him."
Early in the evening Clay came
on board and sat in the cockpit
while the men relieved each other
below. At last the diver came up,
and was followed closely by Be-
thune, bringing a rope.
THE strong rooms Open," he
said exultantly "Heave on that
line and see what you get!"
Moran pulled with will, for
there was some resistance to be
overcome, and Jimmy leaned
down in strong excitement when
a wooden case smeared with sand
broke the surface. Selling it, he
came near to being dragged over
the rail, and Bethune had to help
him to lift 1t on board. Clay ex-
amined the case coolly, studying
the half-washed-out marks.
"You ought to get something
handsome for salvage on that,
and l won't contest your claim,
he said. Now, If you're ready,
we'll go down"
They carefully fastened on his
dress. Jimmy put on his helmet
and went first down the ladder,
waiting at the bottom for Clay.
Clay, though awkward and some
what feeble in his movements,
showed no want of nerve.
When they crawled into the
strong room he stood still, NOV
ing his lamp. The pale flashes
fixed upon one spot. Clay beck
oned Jimmy toward it. Jimmy
thought the man must be mistak-
en- for he had indicated plank
in the deck between two iron
plates, although, as the wreck
had fallen over, the plank was on
one side of them, instead of being
overhead. He turned to Clay
with a questioning motion of his
hands. but the flicker of light
was still fixed upon the same
spot. Jimmy raised the crowbar
he had brought and drove it into
joint nearly level with his head,
and Clay indicated that he was
doing right.
The beam he attacked was soft,
but two bolts ran through 1t and
an iron strap was clamped along
it's edge. He did not know how
long he continued, but he was
didsturbed by a movement of the
water and saw Clay swaying
slackly to and fro. Jimmy seized
his arm and made his way toward
the opening.
1t was with keen relief that he
dragged him clear of the splint-
cred beams at the entrance to
the hold and stepped out on the
level bottom of the sea. No light
came down through the water,
but Jimmy had his signal line for
guide and followed it with his
hand on Clay's shoulder, until he
distinguished the ripple of the
tide above the ladder.
Pushing his companion toward
it, he watched his clumsy ascent
and then clambered up. When he
got on board, Clay was sitting on
deck, but sank back Imply
against the cabin top as they took
his helmet off. He gasped once
or twice, and then began to fun
BILE awkwardly at the breast of
the diving dress.
81 know what he wants." cried
Aynsley. Get these things off
him as quick as you can! Some
body bring me a spoon"
They hurriedly stripped the
canvas covering from the half
conscious man. and, taking
small bottle from his vest pocket,
gave him a few drops OF the
liquid. 1t took effect, for in a
few moments Clay feebly raised
Better now; not used to div
ing" he said, and turned to jim
my as Aynsley and seaman
helped him into the waiting gig.
We'll get the case next time"
The gig pulled away, and the
three men watched 1t disappear
into the darkness.
tits lucky you we're able to
bring him up" Bethune observed.
II was scared at first, Jimmy
what about the case?i ~
I'VE hadn't time to get at IL.
You see, it's not in the strong
room. He made me start cutting
out the under side of the deck. l
expect there's a shallow space be-