The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-08-27
HTCTANER The e. IN Mq a. ;, Fish is.
A Strange Story of Mystery and
Fdnaticism

ton.
Doubtless something had made him
suspect. or definitely learn that He
tAner was carrying Moisette away to
the mysterious little house at Ca
brera, and therefore he was going
there to sign the treaty OF peace with
the happy Hictaner.
These were only conjectures, but
they were sufficiently plausible to
transport SeverAc with Jealous rage.
Easter, vampai Faster!" he cried
Even when the mAchinist replied
that they were going at full speed he
felt that the Bakouvine was very
slow, SO consumed was he with impa-
thence.
Dawn came, and then the day itself.
The sun hid behind a heavy curtain
Of clouds reaching from the east to
the zenith. The wind blew like a
hurricane, and the BGkouvino bound
ed through the growing waves now
swept from stem to stern, and now
hanging from the top 0f a wave with
har keel almost wholly gut OF water.
TchouVine and Guerilla had gone In
to the cabin. Vampa had closed the
hatchway leading to the machinery,
and Martial, at the wheel, had en-
veloped himself almost dramatically
in a pilots cloak.
Severac alone did not see the threat
ening storm, did not feel the shock
of the waves which were inundating
them, nor the flashing of the spray.
He was clinging to a ring on deck,
devouring with his eyes the gray
bulk OF Mariorca in the distance In
distinct and cloudy.
"In half an hour" he said, Eve shall
be at Cabrera, and there / shall know
the truth, though die for IT,"
He counted the minutes.
Hictaner had arrived three hours
before Severao distinguished the cliffs
OF Majorca in the mists.
He did not penetrate the submarine
harbor, where ne had lived so many
years. 49,
With the knowledge OF the little
white house on the island 80 lately
gained from Moisette, he left his Tor
pedo at the bottom. went ashore and
straight to the door OF the house.
where he knocked.
A peep hole was opened and a pair
of suspicious eyes shone behind the
open" said Hictaner.
who are your"
II have been sent by the master
OF the Lost Isle"
The door opened and Hectaner
found himself in the presence OF a
heather priest, who. when he beheld
the strange man whose face alone he
had seen through the hole drew
back.
you do not know who ann" ask
ed Hictaner.
NO, 1 do not know" stammered
the priest.
AZ am Hlctaner. Have you heard
OF ms?"
"Hictaner? The one whom the mas
ter created7 Yes, We often spoke Of
you in former days. but We have never
seen you"
The priest felt treasured now, de-
lighted at beholding the marvellous
being with his own eyes.
You come most OPPORTUNITY" he
went on.
Opportunity? How7"
Because got a message about you
from the master not a minute ago."
"A message? What did IL say7'
1.-THE master asks that you leave
'or the Lost Isle the moment II
reaches YOU"
Then Moisetts is not here7" exclaim-
ID Hictaner with beating heart
"Moisette7 No." replied the brother
n accordance with Antirs instruc-
IONS.
II was the truth. however.
"She has not been here7" insisted
Iictaner tremblingly.
mo" he answered, "shs has not
been here"
you ne," exclaimed Hictaner
haunted by a persistent present.
71ent.
You can visit the house." replied
the monk. plscidly. You may open
all the doors"
Hictaner followed the men. we'll
knowing that Moisetts was not then
at Cabrera. but believing that II she
had been he would be able to discover
some traces Of her passing.
In only one room did he see any
thing suggestive OF Moisette's rooms
At the Lost Isle. But, from the ap-
oearance OF the dusty hanginEs, OF
he cold order which pervaded It,
from the chairs piled IN q corner and
covered over, he was convinced that
the room had not been Inhabited for
'onE months.
Then the priest astutely remarked:
But IL tho master summons you To
tho Lots Isle, II must be undoubted-
Iy because he can tell you whsr"
Moisette Is"
Tho idea struck Hictaner favornbly.
"PerhnpH," no said to himself.
"OxuI and Fulbert really do
know, They know so many things.
Tho chain OF submarine Telephones.
their spies stationed everywhere,
would rot let them remain long ignor-
an: OF anything. Noisetts 10 not hero.
"They must know whB'e gho Is.
"pid the plank mean nOthinT, afte"
all? Or was Vera herself dnceiv"df
Perhaps as Seyerac's accompitcs
she WAS trying to put those who
searched for MoIsetts on the scent But
my heart will not believe that Mois-
cite Is buried in the demolished grot-
toes. / will 20 to the Lost lsla.'
(TO he Continued Tomorrow