The Washington times., 1917-08-07


1t lacked two minutes Of 4 o'clock
by de Ciserat's watch when the ad-
miral saw first, two cable lengths to
starboard, a violent bubbling Of the
calm sea-
Stop" he cried.
And the Cyclone stopped almost at
once.
At the right of the torpedo boat
there appeared a human form with
silver scales all shining in the sun.
The mans head was covered by a
glass mask. with a bound he was
upon the torpedo boats deck, stand
ing before the stupehed men.
He drew back his mask at once
and the admiral could not restrain an
exclamation OF surprise as he beheld
the young Apollo's face. Could this
child be the Unknown, who had made
the whole world tremble7
Hictaner said placidly:
Gentlemen, / am the Unknown. or
rather his brother. his twin, his dou-
BILE. You come in the name OF the
Congress?
yes" answered the admiral, barely
recovered from his surprise and his
emotion.
81 am glad. intrust my person
to your safe keeping. With whom
have I honor OF speHking7"
The admiral drew himself up and
called forth all his Eelf-possession.
81 am Admiral Germinet, In COM
mand of the allied fleets OF the Medi-
terranean. This is Lieutenant de
Ciserat, in command Of the torpedo
boat, and this is Ensign Sainte Claire.
his second officer. These men are
part OF the crew"
And i, Monsieur the Admiral, am
called Hictaner. VIII you be so good
as to conduct me to the Congress7 I
Will not say more to you"
De Ciserat gave, a command. The
Cyclone put about and headed for
Marseilles at full speed.
Admiral and men. were at a loss TO
know what it all could mean. with
an astonishment which they did not
try to conceal, they saw Hictaner
hang his mask on his belt and lean
lightly against the railing OF the
afterdeck. He looked them over
calmly, and his youth and beauty
were so great that he seemed almost
to smile, in spite OF the sorrow n
his face.
Standing around him, instInct'vely
respectful, the admiral and the two
officers put a thousand battling ques-
tions to themselves.
This was evidently a man dressed
in silver scales.
How could he live in the water?
What means of navigation AMI war
fare did he use?
Where was his machine7
He said he had a brother like him
self. Where did they both come from?
What was their end, and what their
means?
The admiral and the officers did not
know that Hictaner had lied when he
said he was not alone in order to bet
ter secure his safety.
Indeed, Molsette's lover had counted
upon mans fear rather than his In
tegrity to safeguard himself against
attacks.
So when he said that there was a
second being like himself he let the
fear Of vengeance hang over Ineu's
heads.
In that he had calculated well, for
the promises of state are worthless.
even more than those OF individuals,
when peril seems to absolvc them
from keeping their word.
That is why Hictaner placed him
self so confidently in the hands OF that
humanity which considered him its
enemy and with good reason.
HIctaner's Arrival.
From the moment of the Cyclones
entrance into the ancient harbor OF
her crew could hear the
great hum OF the numberless crowd
gathered in streets, alleys, parks,
squares, and the houses bordering the
quays. The waterfront was guarded
by eight rows OF soldiers with drawn
sabers.
An automobile was waiting, Just be-
low CRmbiere. Preceded by the Cis-
erat and followed by the admiral and
the ensign holding a pistol, Hictaner
stepped into the car.
Though he was beholding such
sights for the first time. he did not
show any astonishment, and his grimy
face persisted in its calmness, with
a gravity almost sad.
The automobile passed through a
triple row Of soldierC. The highway
had been completely cleared, and the
soldiers stood shoulder TO shoulder
upon the side&alIls. The windows OF
the houses were filled with the Gu
rious, and great murmurs arose from
narrow streets on the wide avenue
wherever the crowd was thickest and
In which night was beginning to fall
The street lamps had been lighted in
advance. Numberless soldiers were
carrying torches. Everything had
been arranged to supply light for the
waning day, so that darkness might
provide no shelter for a riot or an
assassin.
Night had fallen when Hictaner,
still surrounded by his guard, set
foot upon the steps leading to Long
champs Palace.
In the assembly hall the men were
anxiously. Not a seat was
empty.
Crowded around the platforms were
army and navy officers, official per-
sonages and magistrates. In all
spaces not illed by seats. picked Of
hcers had been stationed with drawn
revolvers, who had been ordered to
punish any attack upon the unknown
with instant death.
Thus they waited in solemn silence
"A silence made up OF anguish, cur
osity. and rror.
All the lights in tho room had been
lighted. Acetyllne torches had been
hastily installed in all the dark cor
1ers. The room was ablAze with light
Ind no one could have made the |
slightest suspicious move, unseen by |
he watching officers.
Ito Be Continued Tomorrow.