The Washington times., 1917-08-12
Hictaner---The Man Fish
Who Lived in the Water and Ruled the Seas
Vera Is Brought By Severac To Be a
Companion For MOisette
In Her Captivity

was provided with a lock and bolt
During those four days ,everac did
not appear. His absence began to
make Moisette uneasy.
She wondered II his promise OF a
companion and a servant were only a
cruel lie. But it was not!
On the morning OF the fifth day she
was in the salon. She heard the doors
open. She rose quickly, first making
sure that the knife was in her dress.
A beautiful young girl with a SER
lous face and great, rather hard, black
eyes, was following Severac into the
room.
Vera Arrives.
''Mademoiselle," said Severac to
Moisette, here is Vera, my niece.
who will be a companion and a
friend"
| The two young girls glared at each
other. At Vera's cold hard gaze. Moi
settle felt all her hopes fall. In
| Severac's niece" she sensed an
enemy.
But Moisette braveIy hid her dis
/ appointment and responded to Vera's
scrutiny with swift glance.
M. Severac," she said, under these
| circumstances, my companion must
be either a prisoner or a guardian.
since Mademoiselle is your niece.
and in consequence devoted to your
interests and your plans, it will be
very hard for me to think Of her as
a friend"
Think OF me as you like. Made
moiselle," replied Vera colby.
I'VE shall not live together any the
less, and II will be as necessary for
you to grow accustomed to me as for
me to grow accustomed to you"
Moisette was desperate. She made
a great effort and turning toward
Severac she said:
Monsieur. for the first time. am
going to ask something of you"
What is Il, Moisette?" asked Sew
ersc constrainedly.
Il beg you to say to Mademoiselle
Vera that my room is to be my own"
That was understood in advance.
You have your room, Vera has hers.
you will only meet one another
in the salon and in the dining room.
You will care for your own room. but
Vera will prepare your meals until
/ have found the servant / promised"
Very WELL" said Moisette.
Drawing herself up. in order to
better appear Indifferent, the poor
captive bird left the salon.
Severac and his daughter stayed
alone.
Vera" said the man in a low
voice, don't forget my instructions.
You are to pass for my niece. Force
yourself to gain her confidence. As
you appeared stern at first, she can
Iot fail TO feel more drawn toward |
you when she believes that she has !
made you pity her, and that you are
letting yourself be. won more and |
more. ,
You understand everything. She |
is our hostage. Through her we shall |
hold Hictaner, II l cannot get him |
otherwise.
with her we can hold the whole |
world in our power even II I cannot |
deliver Hictsner to the Infatuated ma
tions. Do you understand"
81 understand, father"
Good. Now I am going to the
Marseilles conference. I know how
to get in. / will act as circumstances
seem TO dictate. Go to the launch
you have not forgotten the trick"
NO"
Good! We will leave the grotto
and land near Llansa, where 1 will
take the train for Marseilles. You
can return here in the launch. Let US
go"
a quarter Of an hour later the
swift craft sped over the surface Of
the water. II bore Vera and her
father. Severac.
Upon leaving the grottoes and dart
ing up to the surface of the water
Severac and Vera first OF all busted
with the maneuver which
the submersible into a sim
pie electric launch.
Then they rounded the cape and
'tarted forward into the open sea with
heir backs to the cliffs.
Therefore they did not see a little
boat lying in a tiny inlet just behind
hem.
-Four men were crouching in her
With their eyes just peering over the
i'm.
Continued Tomorrow