The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-30

tricate the nearest box, though
he had cleared the sand from be-
fore it before he was forced to
ascend.
Jimmy took his place and
worked savagely, dragging out
the box and moving 1t toward the
bulkhead, but he could not lift it
through the opening.
At last he went up.
1--WE have got to quit" said
Moran despondently. when Jimmy
reported his failure. "But | sure
ly want that box"
You shall have it. If | can get
the sling on" Bethune replied.
Help me on with the dress as
quick as you can"
He flung a hasty glance about.
A long raft of ice with ragged
edges was drifting nearer.
1T looks as If | had to finish
the job this time" he said with a
harsh laugh. Il no longer have
the cheap hotel to fall back on. I"
When he had been down for
some time, Jimmy, turning the
pump in obedience to the pluck
ing of the signal line, began to
wonder when he would come up.
Bethune. had already stayed be-
low an unusual time. 1t looked
as If the man expected to bring
up the case.
At last the top of the ladder
swung against the rail and soon
the copper helmet rose out of the
sea. Bethune seemed to have
some difficulty in getting any far
Their, and they dragged him Oh
board. His face was livid when
they released him, and he lay
back on the skylight without
speaking for some moments.
Then he gasped painfully:
THE case is slung. Heave up!"
They sprang to the line he had
brought and hauled it in; Jimmy
trying to control his fierce i'm
patience. Even Moran showed
excitement as a corner of the box
broke the surface. Throwing
himself down, he swung 1t on
board with powerful heave.
Then he and Jimmy dropped limp
ly on the deck and gazed at their
treasure. Jimmy felt exultant,
but after a time Bethune disturb
ed his pleasant reflections.
Look at the ice!" he ex-
claimed.
The floe was bearing down on
them in the distance half hidden
by the fog. Moran glanced at the
floe and ran forward. Jimmy
joined him and they hurriedly
got the chain cable in; then, with
Bethune's help, they set sail for
open sea.
Make the best offing you
can" directed Jimmy, leaving
Moran at the helm. "I'll get the
stove lighted, and after supper
we'll open the case.
When the meal was ready he
called Bethune down and handed
out Moran's share.
I've been extravagant, but we
have earned feast tonight" he
said exultantly.
They ate hungrily while the
water splashed beneath the floor
ings and the lamp swung at ezra
tic angles as the Cetacea rolled.
The case lay against the center
board trunk.
Strictly speaking, we have no
right to break into the thing"
Bethune said; 'and it might per-
haps lay us open to suspicion;
but I'm afraid I can't keep my
hands off until we get home. Get
out the tools, Jimmy"
Jimmy did so, and then, OPEN
ing the scuttle, called to Moran
We're going to look inside the
box. Is it safe for you to come
DOWN."
Moran seemed to make a mega
tive sign, though Jimmy could
hardly see him. Dropping back
below, Jimmy closed the scuttle
and took up a hammer.
Il wish we'd cleaned out the
strong room, but We can come
back, and we have got enough to
give us a luxurious winter" he
said happily.
Working eagerly, he soon in
serted chisel under a board. In
a few moments he pried 1t loose.
and thick folds of rotten canvas
we're exposed.
There seems to be a lot OF
packing" Bethune remarked.
There's a seal we'll have to
break; but we have smashed one
already. Don't waste time. RiI
it open!"
Jimmy did SO and then uttered
an exclamation as he dropped the
object he took out. II was dark,
colored, and fell with a dull thud
TITS lead!" he cried.
There was tense silence for 8
moment, and then Jimmy. rous
ing himself with an effort, flunt
the scuttle back.
junk" he called, and hi,
voice was strangely hoarse.
When Moran dropped through
the scuttle he stopped over the
box, and after time looked vi
with a heavy frown.
Some crook has worked off {
low-down trick on us!" he said
ION the underwriters first, but
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