The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-08-10
.HTCTANER The e. IN Mq q Fish IS,
A Strange Story of Mysteryjand>
Fanaticism
FanGHciSm

she cried vehemently. for the meeting
had given her fresh courage.
lou are.in one of the two cabins
OF the electric launch
I'VE have come a long way from
the Lost Isle. Neither Oxus. Fulbert
nor Hictaner will ever md you
again.
~ am taking you away to my own
home. There you will be minel
Il shall wait as long as need be
for you; but you will never see He
taner again"
He went on In a different tone.
THE voyage will take several days
longer. Each day at o'clock, at
noon, and at in the evening, un-
less q storm obliges me to watch the
motor and the rudder, I Will bring
you your meals.
There are some books on the shelf,
your dressing room is behind that
little door. in this chest you will md
linen and blankets.
in short, you need not want for
anything until we have lapde1."
Where are you taking me?'
Moisette asked quietly.
There Is no need for your knowing.
Remember, please, that no one can
possibly come for you'll" .-
Bowling with a crafty smile, he dis
appeared. Moisette forced herself
not to yield 10 despair. She wished
tc be strong, to resist, to wait, and
then to attempt to escape.
One day when he brought in her
midday meal Severac said casually:
In two hours our journey will be
at an end"
MoIaetfa Ala MT r.nl,
Two hours later the cabin door
opened and Severac was saying:
"Moisette, you are at liberty"
The young girl trembled, and her
heart stood still, though she well un-
derstood the cruel irony IN the words
when Severac added:
"If you like I will show you to
your rooms"
Moisette had mapped out a plan.
She had decided to appear docile, but
to observe everything closely. She
would not doze in resignedness nor
security in order to seize the pro-
pitious moment for flight.
Where could she go? Alas, she
knew 20 one In the whole world!
She realized that the Lost Isle bore
no relation to the rest OF the globe.
II she could escape, therefore, she
nearest mayor of a city to tell all she
knew OF Hictaner and the Lost Isle.
What she had learned from books,
and especially from her long CONVEX
satlons with Hictaner. persuaded her
that her revelations would echo
around the world.
Tho submarine telephone operators,
whose existence and functions she
knew OF from Hictaner, would quick
ly learn about her and communicate
with the Lost Isle. Then she would
be found by OTus and Fulbert, and
she would md her Hictaner, Her Guy.
as she had christened him.
Such were the resolutions, the plans
and the hopes which gave Moisette
the strength to live and struggle.
She unhesitatingIy left the cabin.
and. following after Severac, climbed
a little iron staircase.
She found herself upon the launch's
deck and she looked eagerly about
her.
She was in q vast grotto.
The pale sunlight Uttered through
some tiny openings IN the roof.
The launch was motionless upon the
calm surface OF the shallow water.
When she bent over MoIsette could |
see dark algae and the silvery sands
at the bottom.
"Only my friends and myself know |
OF this grotto," said Severac.
To enter II II was necessary to |
transform the launch into q sub
mersible for a few moments.
at communicates with the ocean |
by a channel lying four yards below |
the mean level OF the water.
THE channel can be closed by a
portcUllis.
you will see, therefore. that es-
cape on the sea side would be i'm
possible. AS to the land side, my
mind Is even more at rest
you will see why"
Severao touched a pedal with his
foot, and slowly the launch glided
over tho oalm waters. In a moment
is keel scraped along the sand OF a
Tiny beach lying across the back OF
he grotto,
Let us land"
Severao jumped out first. with Mol
Iette following submisslvely.
Together they went downward into
! natural depression OF the rock.