, 1924-08-27

guess they were out Of earshot. We
can leave the things here or we can
uiVide them up and carry them. |
guess we'd better leave them. There
really wasn't much use In bringing
them"
Lord George and Bess, who had
started up the %ravine. turned back to
see what was the matter. At Collins
words, Lord George spoke up. "why
not put them in the cave, old chap1"
he demanded.
What cave?"
Don't you know It's a dainty
little cave, 1t is really. Miss Arch
man found 1t u bit up the gully. It's
Just the place where one would store
things. you know"
Gave goes!" Collins bent to the
baskets. Lend a hand, Mr.. Arch
man, he directed. as he straight
ened up.
with some difficulty, the two carried
the baskets for the hundred feet or 80
up the gorge and deposited them well
back in the cave, which proved 10 be
a mere hollow in the cliff, overhanging
n projecting ledge of rock. IF 1t
rains, the bareback won't get drenched
mere" observed Collins, as he put down
his load.
The way up the ravine was steep
nut climbable. even for Mrs. Archman.
VINO. assisted by Collins, followed Bess
and Lord George. who led the way.
Harry and Miss Denslow came last.
Ahnttt tnn minutes, oI;,.h.u- .,,,t.
them to n break in the right-hand wall
OF the cleft. through which something
that might have beer considered to
be a path led off to the north. No one
paid much attention to 1t, however, as
the red line on the map went straight
upward. past it.
Not far beyond this the six reached
the top Of the ravine and came out
on the slope that as seen from the
I'll Rio ran up to the abruptly rising
face of the peak. The trees, however,
were too dense TO permit n view of the
bay and the ship, snd they went on.
following as well as they could the
bowldery course of the creek, which
seemed to coincide pretty well with
the position indicated by the red line
on the map. Denser and denser grew
the trees. and more and more imper-
ceptible the track. till poor Mrs. Arch
man dropped down despairlngly. This
can't be the PATH" she walled. You've
gotten Off 1t somewhere. And l can't
climb another foot. l can'tI"
The others looked at her and then
at each other. She had merely voiced
the belief that had been growing In
all their minds. 81 guess we'd better
tur back after we've rested a WHILE"
suggested Harry.
But Miss Denslow objected. ut
seems to me that the woods are a
little thinner of yonder." she said.
pointing ahead and to the right. 1--WE
might get a view from here"
Let's find out" Harry was of,
breaking a way through the under
growth, and after a moments hesita-
ton Collins followed him. An instant
later Harry's voice was heard. calling
excitedly: Come up here, you people.
for the love of Mixer he shouted.
Bess and Lord George raced or. and
Mrs. Archman followed more slowly.
aided by Miss Denslow. The two
seemed to have taken a great fancy
to each other.
Harry was standing on n lump OF
rock that shouldered through the leafy
cover of the mountain till II stood
almost as high as the tops OF the trees
that surrounded II. Behind It rose the
peak OF the mountain. but before II
stretched a wonderful panorama of
he bay. rlnged Islands and far
stretching sunlit sea. The long shad-
ows of the land shot eastward over
the waters. Afar. trails OF smoke or
CLEANS of white showed where steam
ers and sailing ships crossed the seas.
Below. close to the island, the FL
Rio swayed smoothly on the waves
that rolled In from the outer sea. on
her decks tiny, almost imp%erccptible,
figures came and went. The whole
scene was exquisite. n miniature set
In sparkling diamonds. The six
watched It almost b~reathlessly.
Abruptly Collins cried out. He had
his field glasses at his eyes and was
scanning the bay and the FL Rio.
''h "t eA'hf 81 al VIZ bhhA
thrilled the others. Look! Behind
that Island just west OF the FL Rio
What Is thatf Lord George. you've
got glasses and you're u naval man.
What is thatY'
In the middle OF the bay. a quarter
of n mile, perhaps, west of the III Rio.
stretched n low wooded island. Be-
yOnd II. close TO the shore. Inv some
thing long and narrow and deadly
looking. Invisible from the lei Rio
or from the lower shore, II was In
plain view from the mountain. Collins
was pointing to II with shaking fingers.
Lord Georges glasses were already
nj his eyes. When he lowered them
his face was pale. "It's n destroyer"
he said. "a torpedo-boat destroyer.
That's the fellow who followed us In
Inst night. He's hiding behind the