The daily Alaskan., 1916-11-18

blooming ocean with the rain soaking in-pm going to bed. I don't care what becomes of me-"
 And he sloshed away to his cabin.
 Well, boys, I'm afraid we'll have to put you off," said Martin Wall. Glad to have met both of you. Some time in New York we may run into each other again."
 He shook hands genially, and the two young men dropped once more into that unhappy launch. As they sped toward the shore the Lileth, be- hind them, was heading for the open sea.
 Sorry if I've seemed to have grouch tonight" said Paddock as they walked up the deserted avenue toward the hotel. But these Florida rain storms aren't the pleasantest things to wear next to ones skin. apolo- gize, Dick"
 Nonsense" Minot answered. "Old Job himself would baVe drowned bit If he'd been through what you have tonight. It was my fault for getting you into it''-
 Forget it," Paddock gaid. ''Well, 1t looks like a wedding, old man. The letters home again and George Har- rowby headed for New York-a three days trip. Nothing to hinder now. Have you thought of that?"
 T don't want to think" said Minot gloomily. Good night old man."
 Paddock sped up the stairs to his room, which was on the second floor, and Minot turned toward the elevator. At that moment he saw approaching him through the deserted lobby Mir. Jim O'NIalley, the house detective of the De Ia Pax.
 Gan we see you a minute in the ot- fee, MT. Minot? he asked.
 Certainly" Minot answered. But I'm soaked thrOugh-was out in all that rain"-
 "Too bad" said O'Malley, with sympathetic glance. "We won't keep you but minute"-
 He led the way, and, wondering, Minot followed. Tn the tiny office of the hotel manager a bullet headed man stood waiting.
 "My friend, Mr. Huntley of the se- cret service" O'NIalley explained. LAW ful sorry that this should happen, MT. NIinot, but we got to search you."
 Search me. For what?" Minot cried.
 And in a flash he knew. Through that wild night he had not once thought of 1t. But it was still in his inside coat pocket, Of course. Chain Light nlng's collar!
 "What does tllls mean?" he asked.
 That's what they all say" grunted Huntley. Come here, my boy. Say, you're pretty wet. And shivering! Better have a warm bath and a drink Turn around, please. An
 With practlced fingers the detective explored rapidly MT. Mlnots person and pockets. The victim of the search stood limp, helpless. What could he do2 There was no escape. It was all up now. For whatever reason they de- sired Chain Lightnings collar they could not fan to have 1t in another minute.
 Side pockets - trousers pockets - now! The inner coat pocket! Its con- tents were in the detectives hand Minot stared down. A little gasp es- capped him.
 The envelope that held Chain Light ning's collar was not among themI
 Two minutes longer Huntley pur. sued; then, with an oath of disappOint- ment, he turned to O'Malley.
 Hasn't got itr he announced.
 Minot swept aside the profuse apolo- gies of the hotel detective and some how got out of the room. In daze, he sought 9S9. He didn't have 1t didn't have Chain Lightning's collar! Who did?
 It was while he sat steaming in a hot bath that an idea came to him. The struggle on the deck of the Llleth, with Martin Wall panting at his sldel The tug on his coat as they all went down together. The genial spirits of Wall thereafter The sudden start for New York.
 No question about it-Chain Light nlng's collar was well out at sea now.
 And yet why had Wall stopped to take the occupants of the launch aboard?
 As completely at sea as he had been that night, which was more or less at sea, NIinot returned to his room. It was after 8 o'clock. He turned out hIs lights and sought his bed.
 The sun was bright outside his win dows when he was aroused by knock.
 What is it?" he cried.
 "A package for you, sir" said a bell boys voice.
 He slipped one arm outside his door to receive 1t, a neat little bundle, se- curely tied, with his name written on the wrappings. Sleepily he undid the cord and took out-an envelope.
 He was no longer sleepy. He held the envelope open over his bed. Chain Lightning's collar tumbled, gleaming, upon the white sheetl