The Washington times., 1917-07-21
Now Go On Wish the Story
tcopyrighted).
PART L-(Continued).

| RAM As-NNohNAA1Cub
r. ROM beneath his lofty brow the
- brilliant great black eyes
| shons with intelligence and
i pride. His mouth had opened
and closed when he spoke, as any
| human beings would, and when he
smiled he disclosed fne, even teeth
Of striking whiteness.
oxus and Fulbert stood looking at
Hictaner, their creation and their
pupil, in mute admiration.
Their strong hands grasped the
long, nervous ones OF the man-dsh.
Ali around them the life OF the
seas was going on as usual.
Algae, corals and mollusks were
, fixed TO the rocks. Sea-anernones
abounded. and now and then the
swift passing of q brilliant nsh set
their graceful tentacles. in motion.
Strange crabs, whose shells bore
tufts OF algae, ran here and there
across the golden yellow sand OF the
floor. The water, Illumined by the
electricity, seemed light as air.
Ten times magnified by the micro
telephone, Fulberts voice reyerber-
ated through the great submarine
room.
1--WE are glad to see you, my son."
It said, though we have not feared
for your safety, knowing you are in
VIncible.
Nevertheless, the consciousness OF
your absence has been all the harder
because we loved you So"
Yes, dear child" said Oxus' voice
now Have you been quite we'll?
Aren't you even tIred7"
81 have been neither Ill nor tired"
replied Hictaner, smiling.
Now. you must tell US all about |
your campaign" exclaimed Fulbert. |
The resonance. of his voice made the
micro-telephone vibrate- with persis-
tent intensity. -
"The UnkBown's" Story.
''Yes, indeed, will tell you all I
know" went on Hictaner, though II
won't be any more than I wired you
by the telephonographs at the Ba-
Iearic Isles, the Indian Ocean and the |
Pacific. However, dear father and
dear master, come.
81 was just beginning my break
fast when you announced your COM
ing. I am so sorry that you can't
eat the fruits OF nature, as 1 do! I
have brought back some exquisite
shellnsh and a sort OF anemone,
which is the Juciest fruit In the sea"
Alas" replied Fulbert' hurriedly,
you know we are now 50 old that
our only source OF life is the regen-
erative philter in each Of these metal
helmets, handed down by our ances-
tors.
"oh. my child. It is enough for US
to behold you in the fullness of your
youth and strength and beauty! You
are our only hope and joy!"
Any one but this monk and this
savant would rather have abandoned |
dreams and ambitions than 90 on de-
ceiving this noble creature. whose
body they had transformed and whose
mind they had nodded. Any one be-
sides Oxus would have wept for
shame before the affectionate smile |
with which Hictaner responded:
IF could give you my youth and |
my strength. how gladly ! would ex-
change them for your wisdom and
experience"
But, on the contrary, the two men
only took renewed pride in this in
strument for their frightful ambi-
tions, and impatiently awaited Hic-
taner's tale. whose horror none but
these two could fully comprehend.
Hictaner walked gracefully. with
rhythmic motion, toward the end OF
the submarine chamber. OXus and
Fulbert almost as lightly followed
him, for the weights on their feet
were somewhat less hamperinR under
water. Soon they were standing be-
fore benches and easy chairs OF
stone, luxuriously cushioned with
algae and mosses.
Some shell fishes and sea anemones
were arranged In large cups formed
by beautifully opalesceft shells upon
a polished table OF stone.
When they were seated upon the
benches, Hictaner sat down opposite
them.
Eat, my child" said Fulbert, "you
can talk afterward."
ne repast was short HIctaner