Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-06-11

court Your two friends, Mr.. Blake
and that sailOrman. McGee, have with
drawn. They have no further interest
in the plot. In fact, they're detained
against their will, and can't come to
your assistance. The last l saw Of
them they were trussed up and gagged
in a cave. l think they'll stay there
until help comes"
The information that his two con-
federates had been captured had a Wis.,
| ibe effect upon the physician, his face
! changing from anxiety to fear. flush
ing and paling alternately; but the
| last sentence of Dicks seemed to give
| him ray of hope He braced up and
smiled.
! "Fm afraid you'll wait a long time
for help" he said Perhaps the
thought that Captain Brent would re-
turn suddenly to change matters stiff
ened his resolution. Were far from
, any shore, and out Of the route Of
passing ships"
"But how far do you suppose that
wireless in the cave will cary?" Dick
| asked, enjoying the others confusion.
81 broadcast an S o message a short
! time ago. Some snip ought to pick it
up and hurry to our assistance. |
said there was murder, mutiny and
riot on the island"
Alster suddenly lost all his bravado,
and began wiping his brow with a
trembling hand. "What wireless?" he
murmured weakly "What're you
talking abOut?"
Dick laughed in his face. 81 told
you the game was up, DOCTOR" he
! went on gleefully. But the worst is
+ still to come. I've had a confession
that duplicates you. That's what I'm
getting att
He took chair and straddled it,
facing the DOCTOR who remained mo-
tionless against the opposite wall, a
picture of despair and terror.
81 don't know" Dick continued,
whether you really intended to MUIR
der Mr.. Cutler, or simply to keep him
: unconscious until"
"NO, no." interrupted Alster, 81
didn't intend to kill him. It isn't q
dangerous drug. The effect will pass
away in time"
THAT may save you from the cleo
tric chair then, DOCTOR" cocIly re
marked his tormentOr. "if he dies
under the effect of it | doc't think
anything in the world can keep you
no 7
and there was any antidote for the
poison, I'd get busy administering it..
What do you think?'
The man nodded and gulped. "I-
Twill try it" he stammered.
/ Don't waste time, then, for I ex-
/ pect a ship will be here any hour to
| take us off,"
"If you'll let me, I'll give him
treatment now-right away" replied
the doctor eagerly.
! "All right. I'm not hindering you,
But" slowly and impressively, ere
! member this: ] have two witnesses
! to your confession, and if Mr.. Cutler
dies you'll be held responsible. I'm
! der the circumstances, l wouldn't play
! any trick or try to double-cross me. If
you attempted it I'd shoot you like a
Z dog and with less compunction. Now
! get busy with your medicines"
Alster glanced furtively at him. 'If
l save his life," he began meekly, you
you won't-inform on me?"
I'm making no promises" replied
Dick sharply. II m giving you the
chance to save yourself from the cleo
! trio chair"
All the morning Dick watched with
! the others by the bedside of their pa
tient. The strain of the situation be-
gan to tell on Alice, and toward noon
Dick led her into an alcove beyond
the hearing Of the other two.
you must go out and get fresh
air, Miss Cutler" he said gently
You're losing the roses In your
cheeks. I'll watch"
do you think I'd quit when you
you Oh" she exclaimed impulsively,
"how can 1 ever thank you You've
saved uncle's life, and protected me
from something worser'
Dick took the two hands extended
to him and held them an instant. "Im
already rewarded" he replied, bowing
his head. your gratefulness IS
enough"
"And to think" she added, smiling
through tears, II took you at first for
the cause of all our trouble"
What did you think I was? he
asked, his eyes twinkling.
! Her face flushed under his gaze.
"Why, I thought you were in some
sort of plot to rob us. You see,
Mr.. Blake had sent the servants down
ahead of u.s. and when We found them
gone we were puzzled and alarmed.
! Then your appearance on the island
, looked suspicious"
You never suspected Blake?"
mo, why should 1? He had been
uncle's secretary for years. Uncle
trusted him, and turned over most of
his private papers into his keeping.
| used TO think at timac thot Mr.