The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-02-19
George Ethelbert
Walsh
Copyright. 1915, by W. q. chapman.)
WNU Service

won't stuff your ears with cotton. The
message I'm going to send isn't Sc
cret."
He turned On the current, tapped
the sender, and then opening the
switch wide sent broadcast across the
seas:
"Send help to valhalla island! Mu-
tiny-murder Help needed at once.
Don't delay. Relay to shore II neces-
sary."
Signing the name Of Steve Cutler to
his S. o. s. message, he waited for a
response. None coming, he repeated
the message. Again and again he agi-
tated the air with his wave vibrations
There was no response, and Dick
frowned at the failure of his expert
ment. For half an hour he kept it
up, and then closed the circuit and
rose to his feet.
"That will have to do for the pres
ent," he observed. 'I'll try again
later. Meanwhile, I'm due up at the
house to interview Doctor Alster."
Everything was quiet about the big
house when he approached, boldly and
without any attempt at concealment.
1t was still very early, and it was a
question whether the rest of the house
hold were out of bed yet.
He was little gratified when the
front door opened for him. and Alice
Cutler let him in. Her face was
MI TO xxyith do r;,ra
eyes. Has anything happened?" she
asked anxiously.
"Yes. everything-two Of our worst
enemies are prisoners in cave"
you mean Mr.. Blake?"
yes, and his particular friend from
the sea Mr.. McGee."
The smile that irradiated her face
was sufficient reward for Dick. As he
looked into the blue depths of her
eyes he had queer sensation Of gid
diness. Ii passed an instant later, and
his smile OF confidence returned.
II want to see Doctor Alster." he
added. "Wnl you take me to him?"
ayes. il he's up"
II can interview him in his bed IL
he's rot 9p yet. It's quite important.
Miss Cutler"
"Fellew me-" she replied, leading
the way.
There was ne necessity of reasing
the man from his SlumberS, for on the
upper landing they almost ran into
him 40 he was emerging from the sick
chamber. He gave Dick scOwl and
started to retreat to his own room.
"Hsw's the patient this morning.
doetorfs Dick greeted him casually.
"Ne better. dr." was the sour retore
"Have yen stvea him his merning
medicine yets"
"That's none Of your business. sic"
the other satd angrily. II wont be
|sfntsFrogatsa by you. ask you, Miss
Cutler. TO protect me In my profess
si0nal--"
Professional nddlestieks.' inter
rupted Dick. Get it out of your head
that there's any professional etiquette
down here, doctor. I'm going to see
Mr.. Cutler"
"Not with my permission, sir"
Planting his bulky figure against
the door, Doctor Alster faced them de-
family. Dick smiled at his words and
attitude.
II brought this along to enforce my
orders, DOCTOR" he said, thrusting one
of the automatics against the ribs of
the man. II don't want to use it I'M
less necessary, but I'm not particular.
Want me to shootr'
There was gasp that ended in a
wheezy moan, showing that the dis
peuser of drugs and medicines had as
wholesome dread of guns poked in
his ribs as any other man. His hands
trembled from agitation.
''This is an outrage, sirr' he splut-
tered. 81 appeal to you, Miss Cut
Ter"
Miss Cutler has nothing to do with
this" cut in Dick. tits between you
and me. Open that door and go ahead
of me. I'll follow you"
IF Mfr. Cutters shocked to death"
the man began.
You're the one who's going to be
shocked, doctor. No, no, don't go out!
We need you here. Come In, Miss
Cutler. and close the door. Where's
Marie?'
I'm her room"
summon her. She must be a wit
ness here"
Mystifled but laboring under great
emotion, Alice Cutler slipped out Of
the room, and returned ten minutes
later with white-lipped maid, who
gave Dick an imploring glance. He
ignored it, hardly, noticing her.
Now, Doctor Alster," he said, turn
ing to that individual, 81 want to ask
you simple question. What drug or
poison have'you been giving Mr.. Cut
Ter every day as his medicine?"
"Sir, Il This Is outrageous! I'll
not stay here another moment!"
"Oh, yes, you will. If you attempt