Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-12-26
CHAPTER Xxx.
tFiv for the Last Time.

Tls IOT tHC kaot ! iflC.
With the return OF Eakins and Il.
ton from the field we settled TO work
in earnest.
There was much to be done. My
own mac aine had been SO altered by
Casserta that It took US quite some
time to straighten it out, and then two
Of them continued the work by setting
up the hydro while Lacey and went
into his hut.
He went over to his bunk, fumbled
around a while. and then stood aside.
Now It is safe he said. Had |
not reached an agreement with you,
the first man TO move anything under
The bunk would have had his head
blown off his fool body"
you certainly took sensational
precautions here" said.
81 had to- he replied 81 knew
from the first that | was unpopular
here, and simply devised my whole
scheme - that if they attempted to
play mo crooked they would never live
I to got away with it, told them ev
erything HAT did without explaining
/ how it was work, d and consequently
I they Jet me alone under the Whole
some fear that my devices enEendered
( in them.
THEY know me well enough To m.
/ dcrstand that | was stalking my life
on this thing. But | never told them
! bow big it was. They think there IS
arout million dollars in il. "
He rummaued about the bunk sc's"
I more, and t1en called me TO heis, Inn.
/ Together, under his irecti0ns, We
/ slid the bunk out from The wall, dug
away hall foot of earth. aud dis
/ closed a trap-door Of heavy metal,
bolted to the rock foundation. ex-
amned it curinusly, for saw no sign
I Of knob OF kevh0le.
How do you unlock the thing"
asked.
'You don't" he replied, smiling
! Walking over to the opposite wall.
he did something What it was |
could not see--and the trapdoor slow.
! ly swung ny. revealing below it Il vault
Of considerable size.
Now" he said you had better
get your friends IN here to take the
h0xes ont. Here AS he reached into
the recess under the dO0r.ffame--"a re
the papers | spoke " They contain
the complete accounts OF the syndI-
cate from the very beginning
THE accounts OF the early days be
fore joined them are from my friend
dealt got them when | dissolved
our partnerships.
Everything is straight and you
will find attached TO many Of the items
a note OF the reward offered for the
recovery OF the jewelry so far as
could find II out Now lets 60 ont.
side and see how the Farulan is get
ting on"
One by one We loaded the machines
and sent them away with their pro.
cious freight
Schaurhauer flew nv Bletiot, and
| took Casserta's Farman back TO the
field returning with Eakins 10 pilot
the hydro as soon as it was set M
Together Lacey and managed to pet
all OF the others away at once, and
then he sprang into redoubled action.
Now. come or" he said. Get me Ia
the ship before they return
We rose easily after n long run
over The smooth sand and | headed
into IN easy climb sttaisht ont 10 sea
The sweet purring Of the Gnome he
hind me reas 'ured me of ample power
and II was not long before we sighted
the little schooner, riding quietly upon
the waves. waiting for u.s.
As we touched the water boat pui
out from her side and rowed to "
Lacey rose, stretched him self wearIiy
and then climbed down over me to ont
OF the pontoons.
"Goodby, Carligan" he said
reaChINg UP ana cfd5plnE my nan,
warmly Let ne wish YOU and Mis-.
rroyan all Of The success and all o
the happiness in the world. I'm sorrj
you cant wish me the same"
Il can at least wish YOU an end tt
your DANGEROUS lire," | said.
Life" he repeated It's like ;
funny story, isn't It? We enjoy thu
telling Of it even il We can't Away.
see the point
Then suddenly, for the first time,
thought OF those other three MOI
whom we had left bound, in the hut.
Good Lord!' exclaimed. Il for
tot all about sam and his two pals.
must 50 back for them"