The Washington times., 1917-09-14
HTCTA NER' The Man Fish
LII " ~AANAAO By Jean de la Hire
A Strange Story of Mystery and
Eunoficfo11,
By Jean de la Hire


diatsiy Fulbert followed, a dsathilks
pallor overspreading his face. His
eyslids nuttered, his whole body
trembled- The shock was so violent,
30 unforeseen, It overturned q struc-
ture 80 old, 80 elaborate. that Full
bert, the man with a marble heart.
was a. II struck by lightning. A cry
escaped his lips and he fell uncon-
Scious to the noor.
Oxus continued to listen. petTiaed
and livid, his hands clutehing st the
Instrument table and. 70 the end, de-
vouFinG the terrible news.
In the same tone in which II haa
OF disasters.
The recital Of Hletaner's capture
was brief Then the phonoEraph re-
peatsd the proclamation made By Gem
grsss to the world
After . long pause the machine
continued:
"Yestsrday . dispatch was pub
lishsd announcing the suhmiasiol OF
the powers. At the Malta station,
however, when We received u from
the Gibraltar station, we doubted Its
good faith, and therefore We did not
send It on without having Il amply
verified. So, In place OF an assurance
Of triumph, we have had a recital Of
defeat"
A pause followed, then the voice
resumed brusquely;
"we await the masters orders"
A sharp click resounded. The pho
nograph had finished talking.
Oxus was as II turned TO stone. He
half leaned on the table for a long
tims, with his eyes on the machine
and his ears buxxinE.
At last q great chill possessed him,
and he sank to the noor near the un-
conscious Fulbert.
Taking his head in his hands, he
began 70 cry like q baby. Was II the
sayant's pain at knowing that bis
iife's work is gone forever, or the
despair Of an ambitious man at being
conquered? No one was to ever up-
derstand the tragedy going on in
the mans mind and heart.
Al noon q loud ring brought oxus
to his senses. His tears had ceased to
dow. Rising to his feet, he STAN
mered mechanically:
'Fulbert, breakfast IS served"
His action and his words brought 4
back his consciousness clearly. He
looked At Fuibsrt, bent over him. and
when he saw the regular features.
white Is q ghosts, he was afraid.
"Fulberti FufbertI" he cried.
Feverishiy he opened the Buddhist's
robe and placed his hand on his
heart
at beats," he said. l
He lifted the great mans body.
lifted IL TO his shoulders, and, leay-
ing the station, bore II to his own
room.
Three hours later all the inhabitants
OF the Lost Isle with the excsptio,
OF Moisstts were grouped togethe
at one side OF the laboratory.
Facing them, O1us and Fulber
were seated at little distance, pale
but calm and resolute.
NY children" said Fulbert sol
emnly, I'VE are conquered for the me
ment- We must separate until fat
permits me TO summon you once more
Scipio VIII divide half OF the treasure
OF the Lost 1sle among you. Tt
night you win all take your depGrtur'
In the reserve launches, in bands ur
der chosen leadsrs-some going To-
ward Persia, others toward Arabs
When you reach the coast you vii
sink the launches, and under the guild
Ance OF your leaders you will set ou.
on foot toward Spain. there TO await
the call, in different spots. Years viii
win have died-befor'
the call Is heard. May heaven blesi
you ALL To your knees!'
All except Oxus and FuibeYt kneit
Many wept. Then. with the majesty
of = pope. the monk bestowed the
heathen benediction.
Rise"
1t was a strange exit, Seipio frst
and the leaders one by one following
aim. When they arrived before oxu.
md Fulbert they took their hand,
ind kissed them. Then they left IN.
laboratory, the servants following
Dora Moisette's humble companion
vas the last to leave, and all we're
weeping.
OEus detained her.
Dora" he said, 'you are not 10 70
With the others, but will follow your
mistress. 90 to your room and await
ny orders"
The young negress bowed and left
he room.
The two vanauishsd men were
lone.