Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-12-28

INV ~ SSSN r
Annette viewed this proceeding
with alarm. She struggled taercely.
Five minutes later the brute re-
turned and once more under the sting.
ing lash Of the whip seized Annette
and bore her below. Hernandez and
his two companions followed them
down.
"Ah," said the smuggler to Neal and
Annette, this house has all appoint
ments. This is the swimming pool,
my friends. You can swim here for
one hour-or less. This is in truth
a cavern of death. hate to do It,"
he added just before he disappeared,
but needs must when the devil
drives"
There was a click as the stone trap
dropped into place.
This is a pretty pickle" exclaimed
Neal to Annette.
They were lying on opposite sides
Of that black pool.
IF you can crawl" said Neal. "crawl
for your life"
Annette understood. Little by little
Neal worked himself along his side Of
the ledge and Annette along hers,
each gradually approaching the other
around the circle. Finally their heads
touched.
Careful" said Neal; "close to the
wall. Now let me have your hands.
Let m unbind you first" :
On the surface of the earth above
Hernandez and his companions loaded
their cases into a cart and drove far
across the wilderness into q ravine.
Here" said the man of Martinique.
lifting up the v of a metal box
set in the rock, here Is the switch of
which l spoke. One turn of the wrist
pouf-then oblivion"
Il gave them an hour" said Herman
dez grimly, and I keep my word. Let
US drink"
On the shore below the cliff at the
foot of the %forbidding Razor Back a
sponge diver disported himself in the
water beside his boat, cutting and
tearing sponges from their native
home Of rock and coral for q living.
Then suddenly he forgot the business
of collecting sponges.
He rose again, empty handed this
time. and dived again, peering at some.
thing strange and new. Then with
downward-slanting strokes he sud-
denly disappeared. He came up in an
instant in almost total darkness, then
bobbing on the surface he rubbed his
eyes, jabbering excitedly.
Hey there" cried a voice, "and who
are you?"
The sponge diver jabbered some
more Well might he jabber. 1t was
a strange sight that confronted him.
Two young people were seated almost
in. darkness on the edge of q, black
pool.
How did you get here?", queried
Neal.
The man for all his jabbering raj
polyglot. He knew pidgin English and
Neal knew how to talk 1t, SO they got
along admirably together. Neal told
him his story. The man climbed up
upon the ledge and listened eagerly.
Suddenly he grew excited. II was evi-
dent that he knew the reputation Of
this place.
you come with income right
away" he said.
Neal set the fast-waning lantern by
Annette's side. "One moment, DEAR"
he said to Annette, "and I will be back.
il what he says is true"
In another instant with his hand
the shoulder Of the sponge diver,
Neal was swimming down, down
toward the outer opening. As he saw
the light filtering in from underneath
he gave a gasp that almost choked
him.
In another instant he had returned
for Annette, and with her at his side
the two-swam In the direction that the
diver had taken.
The sponge diver, still g~esticulating
excitedly hauled them rapidly into his
small boat.
"Mo rdw. you row-like the devil"
he exclaimed.
Neal rov,ed like the devil, and the
fla~t-bottonisd boat SKINNED over the
water like mad. Suddenly Annette in
the bow extended her right arm.
Look, loSk, Neal" she exclaimed.
for Gods AXE, look"
Neal heard first, then he looked. and
as he looked the whole face Of that
huge cliff bshind them thrust itself
into the ai1 and with a mighty roar
dropped intS3the sea.
ITS Mount Pelee." cried Annette,
covering hetsface with her hands.
Neal shoSk his head. THAT isn't
he Mturned grimly, IT'S dyna-
mite-if IKnow anything Of. dyna-
mite"
To BE CONTINUED,