Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-05-14

murmured. "Blake knows his busi-
ness"
Suddenly he was interrupted from
his reveries by the sharp click of a
stone below. The wireless had ceased
humming, and someone was climbing
out Of the hole. Dick had just time
to dodge back and hide behind a big
tree.
A few moments later Mr.. Blake
emerged from the cave, and after a
few hasty glances around in the dim
light he made hurried exit from the
grove. Dick watched him until he
disappeared around the back Of the
house.
II guess I'll take look below" he
murmured. Don't think Blake will
come back in the daytime. Got clear
coast for investigation"
There were no steps leading down
into the crevice; that is, none Of mans
making; but nature had provided an
easy descent, and as the rocks were
we'll worn in places Dick had no diff
Guilty in descending. 1t required
little skill In the dim light to find his
way around when he reached solid bot
tom. Fifteen feet below the surface.
the darkness was greatly intensified.
Dick struck a match and glanced
around him. Nothing at first caught
his attention, and when the flame went
out he scratched another match This
time he saw the wireless in one corner
Of the cave, partly hidden from view
by green boughs that formed a rustic
screen in front Of 1t.
Crossing the intervening space,
Dick began an examination Of 1t; but
without the aid Of artificial light he
could get only a superficial idea Of it's
power.
II don't believe it has radius of
more than thirty or forty miles," he
mused, Perhaps less"
He paused to consider. "Ln that
event." he added thoughtfully, "the
yacht is laid up not very far from here
that is, unless that sailors story is
true about her being wrecked. l
doubt it. It's part of the whole mys-
terious plot"
He frowned at his inability to piece
things together and find solution.
Recalling Alice Cutters confession
that Mr.. Blake had assumed all re-
sponsibility for the yachts sudden
leaving, he became more puzzled than
before
II wonder what excuse Blake gave
her." he argued with himself. ."He
must have given good one, or she
would have been suspicious of him.
I'll have to find out what he told her"
He hesitated between two courses.
He felt quite sure Miss Cutler could
help him to solve the puzzle, but she
distrusted him, and would perhaps re-
sent his inquiries. Marie, her maid,
knew more about the mystery than
her mistress; but she was in love with
Blake and quite naturally she would
not betray him.
II guess Pll have to go 1t alone"
he added finally, aloud. "But I'll
watch this wireless and try to inter
cept some of Blakes messages. II l
can get hold of his code, it will be
easy"
He began rummaging around in the
dark. There were several old boxes
and packing cases slowed in one cor
ner, and Dick began going through
their contents. He was using less eau
tion than the circumstances warranted
rattling the papers as he hauled them
out to examine.
The noise he made deafened him to
a light step creeping up behind him,
and he was totally unconscious Of an
other in the cave until quick spring
behind startled him. He whirled
around just in time to meet the blow
of club directly on his forehead.
He had glimpse of the ugly face
Of the sailor he had picked up out Of
the sea, and heard him snarl.
LET that teach you, me son, to keep
your nose out Of other peoples busi-
ness!"
After that came shower of brilliant
stars and complete oblivion for
time. He crumpled down in a heap at
the foot Of his assailant, and lay there
as still as death.
After grinning down at his victim
for few moments, the seaman picked
him up in pair of strong arms and
carried him across the cave as easily
as If he we're baby. Depositing him
on the floor of smaller cave that
opened into the first one, he bound
him hand and foot, and then proceeded
to revive him.
Dick regained consciousness under
the usual process adopted for reviving
the nconscious-water from a bucket
poured over his head and face-until
with a gasp he raised his voice in
sharp protest
Don't! I'm coming to-"
Reckon I didn't hurt you as much
as you deserved" replied the seaman,
bending over him. "All right Sit
up then an make yourself easy"
II will if you'll give me a chance.
This rope cuts"