The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-09-09
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TOUR stout sailors raised Sew
X erac, two others held a cord
attached underneath the divers
arms. Severac was suspended
for a moment in the air against
the Cyclones sides. Then the sail
ors released the rope and Severac
disappeared in the water. Five min
utes later they drew up the free cord.
When he had reached the submarine
rock Severac had freed himself. For
q short distance II was possible TO
follow his course. owing to the air
bubbles which escaped from his lel-
met and came to the surface.
ciserat gave the order to put about
and the Cyclone returned to the feet
at full speed. the way she had come.
What was SeVerac's schemes? Tho
very immediate future was to reveal
them
Meanwhile, Hictaner, seated on the
edge OF the hole, near his Torpedo, no
ticed q black mass suddenly lying
overhead. The first glow of dav-
break lighted the sky and sea so that
Hictaner could see that this black
mass was a vessel OF small size.
What did this vessel want? with
out stirring, Hictaner waited. He saw
with surprise that something was de-
'taching itself from the black mass and
descending toward him.
The object came to the rocky Cause
way which surmounted the submarine
reef. In order to see better, Hic-
taner swan from his hole and
crouched behind a coral thicket.
From its movements, from its form,
from the lights on the copper helmet
TIfrFanar AarNAAA -
q man dressed in full divers accoutre-
ments.
Hictaner. very much perplexed,
glided from thicket to thicket until
he stood within twenty-five feet OF
the diver. who had his back turned.
He saw the man take several halt
ing steps then. half crouching, walk
resolutely along q sort OF floor
which was the crest OF the submarine
mountain Joining the rock with the
Lost Isle. This floor was nowhere
lower than twenty-five yards froIl
the waters surface.
Then Hictaner understood. But one
man in the fleet knew the submarine
geography OF the Lost Isle. But one
man knew that this causeway led to
the isle, and was nowhere lower than
twenty-five feet from the waters
surface.
One alone would be sure Of walking
thus TO the isle. One alone. only be-
cause OF the famous electric mirror,
could hope to destroy the gates to the
grottoes and penetrate to the interior
Of the isle.
One alone, in short. was familiar
with that interior. That one, this
diver, was Ssverac, and he must be
armed with his electric mirror!
Hictansr stopped. With staring
eyes and beating heart, he watched
the intrepid diver go toward the Lost
Isle.
Then his mind was made up. He
could swim more quickly than Sew
erac walked. He sprang. made a
great detour, in order not to be seen.
and hid himself In the tall grasses
near the gate to the submarine grot-
toes to which the rocky causeway led.
Grasping the handle of the dagger
at his belt. HictRner waited.
Twenty yards above him the calm
waves Of the sea were beating gently
on the rocks Of the island. Fishes
moved lazily among the grasses.
MoIlusks drifted slowly by. letting
their long tentaclsS drag after them
like tails. Everywhere there was
utter silence, the placidity of living
creatures, the Immortality OF plants.
the calm waters Iridescent with the
hrst light OF day.
In the peace OF the submarine re-
EionH, two men were thinking only
Of lighting and destroying one an
other. One physically q monster. the
other 4 monster because OF his leath'
or and copper she'll.
HIctAnsr, the frst, awaited the sec
nnd with drawn dagger.
SeverRc, the second, wAS bant upon
attacking the others source of power,
and In his hands no held the murder.
dealing slsctrir mirror.
How long aid Blctzner waltz Ito
never knew. 80 intent was he upon
his prey.
Al last Eevarzc appeared. HtaBEsr-
ing a. frat and thaH moving more
steadily, He stopped 4 Snznt twenty
nvs feet from Hiotznsr. who. from HIS
hiding place. could srs his sn7my'a
face and the details Of ais diving COS