The Washington times., 1917-08-29
(Copyrighted)

Nv lSED Dy AunlTal teTD1lneI
~ OF the probable location OF the
~ Erottoes, HictaneT had easily
found their entrance, thanks
to his submarine faculties. He had
called Antil to CABRERA to take the
electric launch. and the kidnapping
was accomplished, after which Hic-
taner had blown up the grottoes by
means of dynamite cartridges discov-
cred in the laboratory.
This explanation, which satisfied
Severac, did not conform to the truth,
but the conclusions were Identical
He must proceed to the Lost Isle.
and by means of the electric mirror
go in by stealth to the stairway and
Moisette's room, and there kidnap her
again.
After which, still by means OF the
electric mirror, he would accomplish
of the Lost Isle, Hictaner included.
II he should show his head above wa
ter.
1t took Severac only half a minute
to make these plans. When they were
formulated he drew back a step and
said rapidly to the priest:
VERY well, Brother Fulgence. Now.
II you believe in a God, pray. l will
give you just one minute to prepare
for death"
He seized his electric mirror.
This time when the priest grew pale
and trembled 1t was not acting,
You are going to kill me?" he
asked. "why?"
Because you can report our con-
versation to Oxus and Fulbert by tele-
phone, and, in order that you shall
not. /
II will keep the secret"
Liar! But, in any case, need ex-
elusive possession OF the house and
this telephone post. You annoy me.
When you are removed one Of my men
will take your place.
Little by little the same thing will
happen to all the posts OF the man
you call master, be they terrestrial or
submarine.
Il will take possession. Come, my
reign begins here. You are to die.
will count sixty. just one minute"
In a loud voice Severac counted:
"l-2-3-4-5."
The priest reeled. In his wild eyes,
however. was a spark OF fierce Joy.
He fell TO his knees. and found him.
self thus, close to the wall.
He raised his right hand, and Its
irdex finger lay upon a tiny black
button In the center OF a massive hid
den carved rose. He said IN a voice
OF terrible tranquility:
"Severac, listen to me. II you put
your finger near the spring OF your
electric mirror, I will press the but
ton under my hand.
You will die with me. Severac, be-
cause the slightest pressure on my
part would send an electric shock
through mass OF three hundred
weight OF an explosive a hundred
times more powerful than dynamite.
Half Of Carera would blow up, and
we should be in the ruins.
THE master has forestalled every
thing. 1t would be death for death,
Severac."
As he spoke tho terrible words,
FulEence, with bright, clear eyes.
was watching severac's hands clasp
ing the machine,
A flash OF Internal hatred passed
between the two men.
They eyed ono another with tense
nerves.
The very pupils OF their eyes
seemed to shoot fire,
SeVerao stood In the full light OF
day, Fulgencs was hidden in the
shadow,
Suddenly a giant-like man sprang
through the door which had been
open since Severac's entrance, He
fell upon Severac and pinned him to
to the floor, The electric mirror fell
from his hands and rolled outside,
FuIgence had had ten seconds OF
despair,
At the sight Of four sailsra enter
ing at the same instant and threwi ing |
themselves upon Severao, he collect |
ed his wits, and slipping along in the
shadow toward the door of the pas
sage leading to the subterranean tel
sphons room, he disappeared.
Meanwhile Sevsrac had been se:sad
by the four strange men, and the
giant who had felled him to earth
handcuffed him.
Then, stepping toward the open
door. he said, with a salute:
admiral, you may come in.
Admiral Gcrminet appeared, hold
ina, in his hands the electric mirror
which he had picked up.
"Severac." he said At once, ALT