Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-18
NEALOFTHE
NAVY
: continued from Last Issue.)

x house, Hernandez still looked
- about him.
All the comforts of home" he re-
peated; "gas and electricity-hello'
he added, land not turned of! Care
less owner"
Maybe a nearby owner" warned
Inez, working over Annette.
well take a chance with any
owner" said Hernandez, but III
wager he's not near by" He switched
on an electric .lamp-and also lit the
gas. Then he turned both out.
I'VE can hide here till doomsday,"
he laughed. Running water, too.
Look here. Everything but food
everything. Look-yonder on the
mantel-even pen and ina. This
place was meant for u.s." He bowed
low. "Ah, my charming friend,
Senorita, Ilington," he said to An
nette, who had recovered conscious
ness and was staring about her in
establishment, "you have had a long
sleep-and pleasant dreams l hope.
He drew down the shades and
switched on the light again.
"See," he added, "you have slept
till evening-pretty sluggard. And
now Is your SOOu ASd1Iu 4NO OO1S0
broken. That is we'll"
Annette did not answer. Sudden
ly she leaped to her feet.
"Joe," she cried; Joe Welcher-
you here?"
Hold her." commanded Herman
DEE of the Brute. The Brute obeyed
eyes," returned Hernandez, again
bowling, Joe is here-he has always
been herewith us. Joe is our good
friend. We owe him much-much."
He turned a sneering smile on
Welcher. Annette uttered an excla-
nation.
"Joe-Joe," she cried, sis it
true?"
welcher did not answer. He hung
his head.
"Joe," commanded Annette, "look
at me-"
Joe turned away-his chest heav-
ing, his eyes upon the floor. CAV,
I'm no good" he muttered.
Never mind, Joe, fair one," said Her
nandez, taking from his pocket a legal
document already carefully prepared,
I'VE have business at hand. This docu-
ment-you should really know what It
contains It is in proper shape, I as
you. - DIT SOllSO, Perhaps ITOIu
long disuse IN my breast pocket--but
we'll worded. Look-it is complete. 1t
is even acknowledged before a United
States consul in Central America-ac-
knowledged by you, fair one"
"It is not" snapped Annette.
Fair Inez here" went on Hernandez,
signed 1t Annette Ilington-the consul
was quite satisfied that she was you.
Butt have erased her signature-she
lacks the cleverness called forgery. And
your signature may be on record some
where-whO knows? Comparisons are
odious. Let us therefore be complete.
Take in hand a pen, my pretty. Sign
your name, over this erasure-opposite
this seal"
Annette spared for time. Let me
read 1t first" she said.
Hernandez shook his head. Not at
all essential" he returned. THE consul
at Chantillo guarantees-as you per-
ceive-that you have read it-that he
made It's contents known to you, Brief
ly, however, it is a concession Of all
your rights to Lost Isle-a grant of
Lost Isle ITSELF, to your late fathers
trusted partner-myself. one Herman
DEE. A mere matter of form, my child"
And of no value said Annette,
"since 1t is obtained by force"
rs force necessary queried Herman
DEE.
"Ill never sign," returned Annette.
You will sign," said Hernandez, even
ly, and you will hand over TO us all
the evidence you have upon your person.
Sign"
NO." said Annette.
well and good" went on Herman.
DEE in honeyed accents. ''Beast-hold
her firm Disobey and the lash for
yours" Hernandez took from his coat
pocket a piece Of cord. He tied the
ends together.
Despite her struggles he fitted this
noose-like cord over Annette's head and
he began to twist.
Tell me when you've had enough"
he said.
Like a stone from a catapult Joe
Welcher hurled himself across the
room and was upon Hernandez in a
flash. Under the assault Hernandez
retreated violently to the wall. striking
his head against the mantel
Are you crazy, you-worm?' cried
Hernandez with a snarl.
''Ive-turned," snarled Joe in return.
Without waiting for breath he
flung himself once more at Her
nandez.
"Help!" cried Hernandez "InAS
tackle this mosquito"
Inez was a valuable ally. She az Tx
tackled Joe from the rear, and her MH
assault was effectual. Her onslaugf { M
was so severe that II caused Joe % K5S
retreat. He did retreat until heNf
faced them both. EM
Now" said Hernandez. And botA y5H
descended upon him. Joe was ready N
for them. He seized a chair and ~
whtrled it about his hes d-frenzy -
lending him violence and strength. ~
Come on" he cried, all three of -
you at once!'
With one wild final swing he
brought the chair crashing down on a
Hernandez head. No, not on Herr II
nandez' head. 1t fell short of that butt
crashed on something else-theY
chandelier above Hernandez head. ~
There was a ripping, tearing, crack
ing southland then a crash. Down M
came the chandelier in a tangled heap 4 (
upon the floor.
For one instant there was a cessa.4 Of
ton Of hostilities. The shades were pei
down-the lights extinguished-the sp %.
room plunged into semi-darkness. ioT
Annette watched In alright. Sud- ITy
denly a strang, familiar odor as IN
sailed her nostrils. snt
"Stop-stop!" she cried. con
But none needed her. The brute =