The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-08-22
Chapter 2s
DESPERATE ATTEMPT

DESPERATE ATTEMPT
LIE stood there watching. The &c
4 ures ran back to the poWe
house. The flames began to noun
skyward. And he could see Lazarrl
making desperate efforts. as tn
flames licked along the front wall %
ward him, to wriggle farther bacl
from the threshold, Winning his wal
only by hopeless inch or two at !
time.
He could see DolIaire's men com
ing out Of the power house with arms
full Of little packages and bundles
that contained he did not know what
And because there wasn't any more
firing. he knew that the members
Of the club were penned up some
where down there on the shore
routed and beaten.
A nightmare? It was no night
mare! It was real enough. It was
only his brain that was Keeling
with the horror Of II. TO stand here
and watch! In another ave minutes
less than that--the flames would
reach that open doorway--that darl
object lying there still barely be-
yond the threshold. why didn't la,
zarre move faster? The man was
wounded, Of course. but he Wasn'i
dead like Remission. Why didn't
he
A low, startled cry came suddenly
from behind him. He ierked hiH
head around. Someone was standing
there on the path within q yard Of
him-a girl = shadowy - His mind
snapped back into action,
"Germaine!* he said hoaraely.
"Colinl" She was beside him
now. what is ito What has hap.
pened? ! heard a lot Of shots being
fred and then an explosion. And
and you didn't come back. couldn't
stay there any longer. II"
my wristsI" he broke in tensely.
Undo them, dear-as quickly as
you cam"
"ohls she cried In q low. shocked
voice. 4 didn't see. Colin, they're
they're bleedinEp
'It's nothing serious. Can you
manage it2s
yes: IN just minute. Tell me-"
mot nowl There isn't any time"
His words were coming Ia fast,
jerky sentences. "You shouldn't
have come. but thank God you did.
You must go back to the launch the
instant I'm free. Before you are
seen. Don't leave It again. Wait Tor
me there
"Wait for you'll" A sudden fear
was in her voice. Colin, what DO
you mean2 What are ron going to
dog"
THE fire, Lazarre's over there IA
the clubhonse-wounded.s He was
still Jerking out his words. "Tha
flames aren't far from the doorway
now. That's where he Is. Just ia.
side the doorway. But there's skill
q chance that it's not too late. rye
got to set him out II l can"
She was working frantically Ct
his wrists.
@But you can't reach him." she
protested anxioualy. ssThere are . LOT
Of men around that other buildIRs.
You would be- seen the moment you
stepped out from these trees here"
"No." he answered quickly. IN
keep among the trees and go around
this epdof the clearing. It's scarcely
any farthef. and ! can set in through
the back OF the clubhouse that way"
~Then I could go too.s she as.
serted. II might be able TO be or
some help. There-that awful thing
Il OF at iastiA
~TNHE only way you can help any
= more now Il to take care OF
yourselfs. He was rubbing the
bruised skin Of his numhed wrists
to restore the circulation. "Any.
thing else is impossible. Germaine.
You must set back to the launch as
once"
but, Colin. I's--her voice broke
IN a hair sob--"I can't"
"Germaine.s hessaid huskily. "ev.
cry second is counting. You've al.
ready done far moro than your share
don't let that go for nothing nov.
For Gods sake. dear-Qpickt"
~oh. colin.- che whispered. "a she
chung to him desperately Tor an n
stant--and then. turning. sped hack
along the path.
And then Colin was runnlng see--