Evening star., 1922-01-15
The Image of Earth-A Story O1an-By H

flung down the bloody candlestick.
Leave it be-" he said. Lets get
out Of here"
"Right-o"
They left the doorway. and Toptit
met them. None of the three turned
to look back at the blazing inferno.
Hanecy paused to ask no questions.
mover SO much as looked at Craven. but,
as was his custom, coolly took entire
command Of things.
you've tied up Benson?" he
snapped.
I'VE have" said Toptit. "Your stun
is all aboard the boat. We have only
to push out and be Off. What are you
going to do with Benson?"
Hanecy did not answer, but strobe
toward the river.
A broad glare of light was rising
from the burning building behind
them. All the water was red as
blood. illumined like day. Hanecy came
to, his boat and saw Benson in the
bow, trussed firmly, his face wild with
fright.
Shove off," said Hanecy scrambling
abroad. II am going to be busy here
X \ X X
RENsoN swore at him, then begged
for mercy. Hanecy ignored him,
while Craven and Toptit showed the
boat off. Searching Benson. Hanecy
found the Image of Earth and grimly
set 1T on the deck. Through the jade
cylinder he passed a length of line; the
other end he made fast to an old iron
plow used for an anchor. after dfscon-
Meeting the plow from its fastenings.
We've shed lot of blood over this
image" he said to Benson, who was
staring wildly at him.
Now, we'll let it settle things. I'll
amt murder you. as you deserve. Top
tit! Come here"
Toptft approached. Under Hanecy's
directions he loosened Benson. freed
him, left him squatting shivering on
the deck. He then cut two ten-foot
lengths Of line from a coil. One of
these he made fast to the jade Image
Of Earth and the iron plow. He then
mixed the two lengths of rope in a
confused mass-not tangling them, but
leaving them in a heap above the
heavy weight. Benson stared in fas-
cinated horror.
Take your choice of the lines,
Benson" said Hanecy coldly. 1--WE
cach make fast, then jump over
board One of US goes down with the
Image Of Earth. The other-foats.
I'm giving you first choice. Pick
your line"
Benson chartered a profane refusal.
Capt Craven smiled and swung up his
pistol
Il say. Benson! Take it sportin',
now!"
With a furious cry Benson seized
one Of the projecting ends of rope.
Toptit fastened it about his ankles
Hanecy calmly sat on the rail and
extended his legs for the other line.
Toptit made his fast. 1t was impos-
sible to tell which line went to the
anchor.
Come on, Benson-' said Hanecy.
contempt in his eyes "If you live,
you cen swim ashore. You're get
ting an even break, damn you! Top
tit, count three; if he doesn't jump
shoot him.
"one!' said Toptit. hauling out his
pistol.
Benson caught the bulwark and
drew himself up beside Hanecy. shak-
ing like death.
Two" said Toptit.
Side by side, they made ready for
the plunge. Craven picked up the
anchor and heap of rope and set it
between them, on the bulwark-
'Three!" said Toptit, and Craven
let the weight fall overheard as tho
two men awkwardly jumped.
Toptit and Craven stood side by
side. gazing down at the reddened
swirl of water under the boats PROV
She was drifting idly, hundred feet
from shore. The Senchi pavilion was
spouting bloody flames at heaven, but
the two men stared at the water be-
low them, and their eyes darkened
as the ripples CT the splash slowly
died away-and no swimmer emerged.
mo tangle in the lines, what% mur-
INJURED Craven.
None" SAID Toptit Then his voice
broke.
why the devil didn't he shoot
Benson and be done with it?"
They stood there for a moment
longer. then looked at each other. in
terrible conviction. Before either
man could speak a voice came from
the water--came up from the stern
Of the boat, out of sight
Throw a line, there"
1t was the voice of Hanecy.
Copyright, 1922