The Washington times., 1917-08-20
HCTANER' The Man Fish
I'LL ~ Il III 'AAU By Jean de la Hire
A Strange Story of Mystery and
Fanaticism

I Under the simultaneous Jets OF
oxhydric gas and oxygen the iron
bars were cut like a slender stick of
sealing wax under a red hot wire.
1t was wonderful to see the hard
metal melt away so quickly.
| But there was a risk attached to
this rapid simple operation.
1t was that the flame from the pipe
and the pale glow OF the burning iron
would attract the attention OF the
sailors OF the torpedo boat lying in
the neck of the harbor.
That, unfortunately, is what hap
pened.
The little implement functioned
perfectly. In twenty-four minutes
six bars had been cut in two places,
and Severac threw them on the bed.
When he discarded the last section
he said:
"Humbert, 1t is done"
Here is the rope" replied the sol
der, who had unfastened his Jacket
and unwound the rope from his body.
Attach it to the bars which are
left"
Two minutes later severac said:
at Is done"
He put the appliance in his pocket,
saying:
"Let US 60 now"
Yes, let us 60" repeated Hum
bert. You are to go first"
mo-" replied Severac. my life was
condemned. You have rIsked and are
risking yours for me. = You should
be saved frst-go first"
NO"
"Then I will stay" said severac.
But, Humbert, do you know who
ann"
You are Severac."
The searehHEht.
Eyes, the master! Then obey me-"
The man did not resist longer. He
got out on the window ledge and
seized the rope for the descent to the
water, where the anarchists launch
was waiting.
At the same moment a binding
light. came from the outer darkness
and struck the window squareIy. vic
IentIy lighting the soldier swinging
In the air.
severac was already kneelIng on
the window ledge. The beam of light
struck him. too. and he knew at once
that it was the searchlight from the
Torpedo stationed in the harbor.
1--WE are discovered" he Rrosned
A shot rang out in the stiffness Of
the night.
Severac saw Humbert let go the
rope and fall through the air. A ball
had struck him.
There were twenty seconds o.
frightful suspense for Severac.
Should he attach himself to the
ryotfId shoot him they
had shot his brother fugitive.
Should he re-enter his room? That
meant captivity without a shadow OF
a doubt. for such attempt at escape
must succeed the first time, or never.
Severac made up his mind.
"They might miss me-"
He seized the cord with both hands.
and let himself go down rapidly. re-
gsrdless OF the burning caused by
the friction.
He fell rather than descended
A shot snapped out in the night.
The ball struck the wall a thumbs
He went on down.
There was another shot. This time
a cry OF pain escaped him and Severac
let go the rope.
His body fell into the sea with a
great splash.
A moment after the tnrpedo's
searchlight was playing upon tho spot
where the two men had fallen.
A boat had pN Off from the tor
pedo and was swiftly rowed to the
place.
As II drew near the sailors heard
the sound OF a gasoline engine and
saw a boat disappearing in the night
toward the open sea.
Their confederates." said rhe en-
signs. directing the boat. bah,
They have an automobile boat and
even a torpedo couldn't catch them.
Useless! Besides. the two fugitives
who most interested US have been
struck recognized Severac as the
second. Send down the divers. We
must find he two bodies"
There were four divers in the boat. |
who attached electric lamps to their
belts and went down.
CTo he Continued Tomorrow