Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, January 22, 1916, Page 3

| 18 i L SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1916. About The City J. D. Gibbons, who recently ar- rived from his home at Omaha, Neb., has been seriously ill. Rev. M. A. Soper returned yester- day from Gully and Pinewood where he held services Thursday. Mrs. Carl Jensen of Clearbrook came to this city Friday to meet friends enroute to Clearbrook. John Morrison, after spending the day here on business matters, return- ed yesterday afternoon to his home at Red Lake. Anyone in need of a girl call 5-F- 14.—Adv. 6d122 Attorney John F. Gibbons return- ed last night from Minneapolis and St. Paul where he went several days ago on legal business. - of Turtle Bemidji returned Mrs. George Ostrander River spent yesterday in calling on friends. She home on the evening train. Mrs. B. F. Tollifson and Mrs. El- mer Tollifson were among the out- of-town shoppers and visitors in Be- midji from Frohn yesterday. John Stechman, a student of the Bemidji high school, left last night to visit for the next few days in Ten- strike as the guest of his parents. One of these nice days you ought to go to Hakkerup’s and have your picture taken.—Adv. 14t William Chichester returned to his home in this city yesterday, having spent the last several days on busi- ness in the Schley and Bena camgs. Mrs. O. E. Johnson and daughter, Gladys, were shopping and calling on Bemidji friends yesterday. They returned to their home in the after- noon. Miss Josephine Ostrem, a teacher in the Bemidji schools, left last night for her home at Fosston where she will visit over Sunday with her par- ents. A number of young people have planned a sleigh ride party for to- night to the BEarl Cronemiller farm for and refreshment a social Ses- sion. Mrs. Hollenbeck, who is a .com- petent instructor in oil and pastel painting, is organizing a class in this work. For further information phone 641-J.—Adv. 5d126 Miss Julia Simons left last evening for Hines where she will visit over Sunday as the guest of her sister, | Miss Mary, who is teaching school there, Mrs. R. H. Muncy received word yesterday that her mother, Mrs. Wil- liam Roff, of Royalton is seriously ill. She left last Royal- ton, night for Miss Ella Rylander delightfully entertained at a Leap Year party last evening at her home on Irvine av- enue. The evening was spent in dancing. Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hoskins ar- rived in this city yesterday from their farm home at Frohn to spend a day here shopping and visiting with friends. Miss Eva Kaiser of Northern was a between train shopper and visitor in this city yesterday, returning to Wiy Surren With BAcKACHE, Kioneys on Rucumatism Now 2 Letter Tells of Long-looked-for Preseription. Dear Readers—If 1 can do any good in the world for others, I wish to do it, and I feel that it is my duty to write about the wonderful results I received from the use of “ Anuric.” I was suffering from kidney and bladder troubles, scalding urine, backache and rheumatism, and feet | and ankles swelled so that at times I could not walk without assistance, Had taken several different kinds of kidney remedies but all failed. I sent for a” box of Dr. Pierce’s newest dis- covery, “Anuric,” which 1 received by mail In tablet form. I soon got better and am_ convinced that this popular new medicine is good. wish to rec- ommend it to my neighbors and every- body suffering from such_troubles. MRs, M. J. SARGENT. | Nore: You’ve all undoubtedly heard of the famous Dr. Pierce and his well- | known medicines. Well, this prescnP- | tion is one that has been successfully used for many years by the physicians and specialists at Dr. Pierce’s Invalids’ Hotel and Surgical Institute, of Buffalo, N. Y, for kidney complaints, and dis- eases arlsm% from disorders of the kid- neys and bladder, such as backache, weak back, rheumatism, dropsy, conges- tion of the kidneys, inflammation of the bladder, scalding urineé, and urinary oubles. Up to this time, “Anuric” has not been on sale to the public, but by the yersua,sion of many patients and the ncreased demand for _this wonderful healing Tablet, Doctor Pierce has finally decided to put it into the drug stores of this country within immediate reach of all sufferers. Simply ask for Doctor Pierce’s Anuric ablets. There can be no imitation. Iivery package of “Anuric?” is sure to be Dr. Pierce’s, You will find the signature : on the package just as you do on Dr. Pierce’s Favorite Prescription, the evers famous friend to ailing women, and DLr. Pierce’s Golden Medical Discovery, proven by years to be the greatest gen- eral tonic "and reconstructor for any | to you. her home at Northern on the afte) noon train. ’ Miss Doris ‘Helmer, ‘whothas spent the past two days visiting in Bemidji as the guest of friends and relatives, left this morning for her home at Minneapolis. Dr. W. K. Denison returned to his home in this city yesterday, hav-+ ing spent the early part of the week on a protessienal trip through towns east of here. H. E. Rice, scaler and cruiser for _— Tonight. If‘ you feel “dull, ‘bilioussand con- stipated:taike -a. dese:ef Chamberlain’s Tablets just after supper and you will feel alright tomorrow morning. Pry ‘it. 'For sale by all dealers.— AUTHOR (OF “REDMOVSE,” ‘RUNNING FIGHT,” “CATSPAW ™ “BLVE BUCKLE"ETC. COPYRIGHT, /945 ko’lél /AL? HACHL ay Zron BORNYE + * ® SYNOPSIS. On the day of the eruption of Mount Pelee Capt. John Hardin of the steamer Princess rescues flve-year-old Annette llington from an open boat, but is forced to leave behind her father and his com- panions. Ilington is assaulted by Her- nandez and Ponto in a vain attempt ‘to get papers which Ilington has managed | to send aboard the Princess with his daughter, papers proving his title to and telling the whereabouts of the lost island of Cinnabar. Ilington’s injury causes his mind to become a blank. Thirteen years elapse. Hernandez, now an opium smug- gler, with Ponto, Inez, a female accom- plice, and the mindless brute that once was Tlington, come to Seaport, where the widow of Captain Hardin is living with her son Neal and Annette Ilington, and plot to steal the papers left to Annette by her father. Neal tries for admission to the Naval academy, but through the treachery of Joey Welcher is defeated by Joey and disgraced. Neal enlists in the navy. Inez sets a trap for Joey and the conspirators get him in their power. He agrees to steal the papers for them but accidentally sets fire to the Hardin home and the brute-man rescues Anneite with the papers from the flames. Annette dis- covers that heat applled to the map_ re- weals the location of the lost island. Sub- sequently in a struggle for its possession the map is torn in_three parts, Hernan- dez, Annette and Neal each securing a ortlon. Annette sails on the Coronado n search of her father. The crew, crazed by cocaine smuggled aboard by Hernan- dez, mutiny. and are overcome by a boarding party from U. S. Destroyer Jackson, led by Neal. In Martinique An- nette and Neal are captured and taken to a smugglers’ cave to be blown up with g:vnam!te. but are rescued by a sponge iver. SEVENTH INSTALLMENT THE GUN RUNNERS CHAPTER XXIX. Identification. Senorita Inez Castro—known to her immediate audience by the pseudonym of Irene Courtier—drew back in alarm and affright. “But, charming friend Annette,” she cried, “you have been snatched liter- ally from the jaws of death.” She wrung her hands in despair. She turned to Neal and laid her hand upon his arm. “What are we to do?” she crled. “We are but a handful of women—championed by our solitary sgilor boy. We are no match for these adventurers. Why not give it up?” Annette sprang to her feet. “Never,” she cried. “Never will I give it up. The lost isle is mine. It {8 my fa- ther’s, too. I am fighting for him, Irene, and he is fighting in me. His blood is in my blood.” There was a knock upon-the-door. “Come in,” said Mrs. Hardin. The door opened and a man in the uniform of a common seaman entered. “Hardin,” he said, “been looking fos you everywhere. The commander wants you to report to him at once.” He grinned a bit sheepishly. “Beside that,” he added, “he told me I might hand you this.” He passed to Neal a folded sheet ot paper. Neal opened it and read it. A flush crept into his face and his eyes sparkled. “Godfrey,” he exclaimed, “I never thought—" He handed the paper to his mother. “Annette—Irene,” he said, “I have been promoted—promoted from -sea- man on the Jackson to gunner on the cruiser Albany.” The bearer of the note saluted once more. “Rank—chief petty officer,” he explained, “and the cruiser Albany is due hereabouts this week.” Ten minutes later when the excite- ment in that hotel suite at Martinique had subsided—at least to some extent, Irene Courtier leaned forward toward Annette. “Charming friend,” she began, “let us get down to cases—let us look things in the face. What is the situa- tion now?” “For one thing,” Annette returned, “these pirates don't know—can't know—that I am alive.” Irene Courtier smiled a reassuring smile. “Of course,” she responded. could they know?” “They’ve got me at a disadvantage,” went on Annette. “They’'ve got my parchment map of the lost Isle of Cin- nabar—and my locket with my fa- ther’s picture in it. It's evidence.” “Ah,” saild Irene, leaning farther forward, “map or no map we shall spike their guns. Let me plan out:a campaign.” She rose, seized a sheet of paper and an envelope and placed them -before Annette Ilington. “Charming friend,” she said, “write as I dictate.” At the end of five minutes Irene took the sheet of paper from the table and read it aloud. This is what she read: c To the Fathers of Santa Mania-Mis- sion, Santa Maria, Lower California. Reverend Fathers: As sole-heir of the family of llington | am entitled-to possession of the original-grant to-the lost Isle of Cinnabar—the same isle granted to my ancestor by Joseph Bonaparte, the king of Spain, more than a century ago. | have solved the secret of the map and am on my way 1 inclose my. photograph- for “How { the purpose of identification. Sincerely, ANNETTE ILINGTON. “So far so good,” said Irene Cour- tler, “Now add this postscript, please: one, besides being the best blood-maker known, o P. 8. My photograph -is ‘identified "PRODUCED BY THE | PATHE EXCHANGE, | upon the back by the signature ana seal of the governor of Martinique. Al “But it isn’t,” exclaimed Annette. Irene held up her hand. “¥ou have & -photograph,” she said. “Get it at once.” Annette obeyed. “Now,” went on Irene, adjusting-her hat, “let us go on to the governor of Martinique.” In half an hour they were in ‘his presence. Annette proffered her re- quest. The-governor nodded. He placed his signature upon the | back of the photograph and impressed his seal in sealing wax also upon the back. “Now, charming friend,” said Irene Courtier, “let me have the photo- graph.” She placed it in the envelope and sealed the letter. On their way back | to the hotel she darted into the local post office, darting out almost immedi- ately. “The deed is done,” she said, “the identification is complete.” Half an hour later, in the solitude of her own room at the hotel in Mar- tinique, Inez Castro took from the folds of her dress the letter—the let- ter which she had not mailed in the post office. She tore it open rapidly and dropped the photograph upon her dressing table. With a keen-edged knife she . performed an operation. Then she pasted her own photograph upon Annette’s eardboard. When she had completed this performance she held up the finished product with sat- isfaction. “So,” she said to her own counter- feit presentment, “it is you whom the governor of Martinique vouches for as the heir of the Ilingtons. So far so good. Let us complete the identifica- tion.” She sat down and wrote—wrote the same letter that Annette had written at her dictation, and she signed it Annette Ilington. Then she placed It in an envelope, addressed the en- velope and affixed a stamp. Later, surreptitiously, she mailed it. She was quite right. Identification 'was a matter of importance and the ldentification was complete. CHAPTER XXX. Behind Closed Doors. There are many cubby holes on the Isle of Martinique. In one of these cubby holes or hiding places in a re- markably secreted district of St. Plerre, behind doors closely locked and barred, there sat a man. He was & negro, tall and gaunt; he wore a mustache ang an imperial; even as he sat at ease his bearing was military. Suddenly he stiffened. There were three taps upon the barred door. He rose, strode swiftly to the door and noisily threw back its bars and bolts. The ‘door opemed and three men crept into the cellar. The negro saluted. “Senor Hernandes,” he exclaimed, “I am from Dolores.” “So I understand,” said Hernandez. “Dolores,” continued the negro, “is & republic on the coast of Central “America.” Hernandez nodded. The ‘ethier ‘man -lsamed forward. “Senor,” he-said, “I wm the agent of the imsurrecto.party in Bolores. The. insurreeto -party in-Beleres will one day own Dolores, body-and soul. That day is sure te.come. ‘It-needs but one thing, semor.” “And that one thing?” :queried Her- nandez. The imsurrecto smiled. “We need & man who-will-teke chances,” he went on, “a men-who willsiakelittle to win much; a man who will: put up money and put up brains te.-get-us what we need—to deliver us the goods.” “And what goods :do you need?” queried Hernandez, smiling in his turn. The insurrecto showed his white teeth. “Oil stoves,” he returned, “oil stoves——of the Mauser type—of any type—made in America.” “How many do you need?” queried Hernandez. “Twenty-five hundred rifles will suf- fice,” said the other man, “including ammunition to correspond. And this cargo, senor,” he added, “is here in Martinique. It has come by devious routes from the United States. It is being watched--closely, jealously watched, by seeret service officers— by the governmeunt of the United States.” Hernandez sighed. ‘“What return does this man of daring get?” “We will pay you tenfold,” said the 8py, “when you land the rifles.” Hernandez smiled. “What more— ‘what after delivery?” “Ah,” returned the other, “twenty— thirty—a hundredfold, when tke rev- olution has succeeded.” Hernandez tapped himself upon the chest. “It will-suceeed,” he said. “I" sliall bring to it something more than rifles. I shall bring the brains-of Her- nandez. I am a gambler; sener, and I wlill take a chance.” The negro thrust a hand across the table. “You are a man among men, V" herexclaimed. Then-suddenly A_m}i‘___ - | | dispatched a letter to the fathers of [the €reoksten: Imlmberwmpnny, re- turged this ‘morning from' Kelliher “where - e -has “spent ‘the -past three days. on:business. 5 ' Mrs. Raymond Spencer . returned this. morning to her home: here after having spent the past week at Gully as the guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. 0. J. Weekly. Alec’ ‘Dougherty . returned ti:ls “hie stiffened:once again. - He bent for- ward in:a-listening attitude. He low- sered -hig -voloe. “There is someone Jast outside;the door,”-he said. Hernandes strode to-the door, drew back the bolts and opened. A woman entered—Inez Castro. “Senor,” sdid ‘Hernandez to the in- “surrecto ‘agent, “this 1s Senorita Inez :@ustro. She is one-’of-us.” Imez modded to ‘the ‘agent a bit -curtly. “You bring new:! “Good. mnews,” "-said Hernandez. ald Inez.- “I have the Santa Maria mission in lower Call- ‘fornia.” “You ‘have “been discreet, I trusi,” sald'Hernandez. “I ‘have been more-than that,” re- -turned Inez. “The governor of Mar- tinique-himself has-identified my pho- tograph .as. the heiress of Lost Isle.” Hernandez was plainly puzzled. “Who induced him to put his name— to place his seal upon this photo- graph ?” he'inquired. “Annette Iington and I—" she be- ‘gan. Hernandez started -back. “Annette Ilington and -you,” hefaltered. “Oh, I fargot,” said Inez. “I have been -getting - messages from you, but I could.get none to you. She still lives, this Annette Ilington.” “Incredible,” exclaimed Hernandez. “And what of her companion—what of this -sailor boy?” “He lives, too,” said Inez. “He will be & gunner or a gunner’s mate on the cruiser Albany,” she said. “Good,” exclaimed Hernandez. “Then ‘he returns to the United States.” Inez shook her head. “Returns— not,” she answered. “The cruiser Al- bany comes to him—comes here.” The insurrecto agent stepped back a pace. “Come here,” he said. He glanced at Hernandez significantly. “Senor,” he added, “we have no time to lose.” “We. shall lose no -time,” said Her- nandez. “Leave that to me.” He turned to Inez. “What of this girl Annette?” he queried. “Has she given up the chase?” Inez shook her head. “The day after tomorrow,” she returned, “we sail for the Panama canal.” Two days later the Rio Grande left port for the Panama canal. When she was fairly out of sight another and quite a different looking vessel hove into view and entered port. This latter vessel was the cruiser Albany, seeking for something that she had not found—as yet. That day Chief Petty Officer Neal Hardin took his station on her as chief gunner's mate. GHAPTER XXXI. Forbidden Fruit. The captain of the Rio Grande found —just at the time when he was off the coast of Dolores—that his engine had uncompromisingly broken down, and that he-must put into the nearest port | for repairs. ““While. I'm about it,” he said to Hernandes, his secret passenger, “you can land your oil stgves for the in- surrectos.” Hernandez nodded. “Your legiti- mate passengers—gome of your crew,” he sald, “you’d best get them out of the way first—we don’t want too many ‘witnesses—the rifle casss might break “It's all right,” sald the captain, “simple enough. Ill land ’em in the daytime. We'll land your cargo in the night” He. glanced toward.shore. Sudden- 1y he-canght Hernandez by the arm. “Yeonder, senor,” he-exclaimed, “look —the flag of the insurrectos—it is their camp.” Annette Ilington, startled by the ces-, -sation of the engines, glanced out of: the window of her stateroom. Shel ‘woke her foster mother, Mrs. Hardin. “Land,” said Annette, “look.” There was not only land—there was’ & village—there was a big house— and there were people. i Already a launch had put off from a' neat plantation dock, and inside of! twenty minutes had drawn up along- side the Rio Grande. i In the launch, seated comfertably 4m an easy wicker chair, smoking @'’ morning to his home at Laporte after spending last = night - in Bemidji. ‘While here he was initiated into the 0dd Fellows lodge. M. E. Ibertson, of the Ibertson fur- niture and undertaking parlors, left last night for Minneapolis and St. Paul where he will spend the next few days on business. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Alton were in long panatela, sat a prosperous look- ing Central American gentleman. At the captain’s invitation he boarded the Rio Grande and looked about him. His glance was keen—he seemed to see everything at once. “You will pardon, semor capitan,™ he explained, “but—these are sus- picious times. We look for trouble— everywhere. You see yonder hill Somewhere in that forest lurks a revo- lution. All that they need is guns, senor. Guns and ammunition. Hence my apprehension as to the Rio Grande.” “My stars,” exclaimed the captain, “if I'd known they wanted guns, blow me, but I'd have brought a few along.” An hour later the Central American was standing on the veranda of his large plantation house, superintending the serving of iced drinks and a bit of food, to his accidental guests, Annette Ilington and her party. Annette suddenly rose to her feet. “The Rio Grande,” she exclaimed, “look—she is leaving us.” Her host shook his head. “She is moving, on a pair of crutches—as one would say—into a quieter cove. There she will repair herself. Meantime, command me as your servants, senora —senoritas, if you please.” The captain of the Rio Grande was clever enough to perceive that he would further disarm the suspicions of the rich plantation owner by mov- ing the Rio Grande down the coast instead of up the coast—away from rather than nearer to the insurrectos stronghold. He knéw his business, did the captain of the Rio Grande. And if he didn't, he had a good direc- tor, the Portuguese Hernandez. “Ah,” said Hernandez that evening from the deck of the Rio Grande, “her majesty the moon.” As If in answer to his exclamation, a dozen rowboats shot out of the shad- ows and lined up alongside the Rio Grande. The first of these made fast —a swarthy looking insurrecto climbed the ship’s ladder like a monkey. Hernandez received him. “Senor,” he said, saluting. The other man grinned. “You have oil stoves for Panama,” he queried. 3 “For Panama, yes,” smiled Hernan- ez. “This,” said the other, with anothen grim gmile, “is Panama.” “First and foremost, senor general,” said Hernandez, “money down.” The insurrecto counted out the cash. Hernandez thrust it into his pocket. “Senor,” he said, opening the door and giving vent to a low whistle, “I' shall be glad to throw in something else with the oil stoves for Paname.” Two figures appeared in the door~ way—entered the room. The insurrecto gazed at one of them in amazement. Then he turned to Hernandez. “What will you throw in?” he quer- ied. Hernandez placed one hand upon his breast and waved the other at his two companions. “My own services— and that of my good friend, Ponto— and this beast. We are fighters, senor. We would take pot luck with you.” The insurrecto’s eyes gleamed. “De- lighted, senor,” he returned. Hernandez didn’t mention that he had other motives than just to help. Half an hour later the last rifie case—the last chest of ammunition— had been safely stowed away in the bottom of the last small boat. Then Hernandez, his companions and the insurrecto leader dropped into & launch and sped away. i CHAPTER XXXII. Within Four Walls. A tattered insurrecto crept up to the leader, “General,” he exclaimed in his native tongue, “there is news— from our outposts on the shore.” “What news?” queried the leader. “A cruiser has been sighted—shens at anchor, general.” “Of what nation?” “Americano,” returned Hernandez, “she is of the United States—I can tell you that.” “In which direction does she lie?” queried the leader. “Up the coast,” returned the native. Hernandez nodded. “Then, gen- eral,” he said, “your line of march Bemidji several days ago enroute to Grand Forks where they are attend- ing to business matters and visiting as the guests of friends, ¥ 0. J. Tagley, the Nymore merchant and real estate man, left yesterday afternoon for Clearbrook and other points to the west where he will spend several days on business. Riene Botting, who has been at- tending the Bemidji high seheol, left Friday noon for Cass Lake where he will visit over Sun@ay at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Botting. : Rev. Osmund Johnson, “pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran church, left yesterday afternoon for skine where he will hold the dedication ceremonies at the Norwegian Luth- eran church there. must lie the other way—past the plan- tation down below.” The leader pondered. the other way,” he said. “The marines’ll cut you off,” re- turned Hernandez, “they’re after our guns—they’re after us. You'll have to go this way.” “You are quite right, senor,” he con- ceded. Hernandez beckoned him to one side. “Listen, general,” he whispered, “I understand mine host of the planta- tion is very rich. Am I right?” The leader nodded. “He has much gold somewhere hidden,” he returned, “although we have tried in vain—by peaceful means—to get it.” “He has,” went on Hernandez, “some woman guests—Americans. If you find the gold, senor, you keep it. If I find it, I'll divide with you. But the Ameri- can women—they belong to me.” Early next morning mine host of the plantation approached his guests. “Come with me to the wharf,” he said. “I have marine glasses. We shall see what we can see.” Once there he handed the glasses to Mrs. Hardin. “Senora,” he ex- claimed, “tell us what you perceive lln the dim distance.” Mrs. Hardin took one look and then turned a radiant face upon Annette. “It’s the Albany—Neal’s cruiser,” she exclaimed. Annette seized the glasses. “The Albany!” she exclaimed, incredulous- ly. “What is the Albany doing here ~—the last time we heard of her she was approaching Martinique.” The planter beckoned to a servant. “Horses for the party,” he exclaimed. “We'll drive along the shore and visit them. 1 am partial to Americans—I get along with them.” But the horses for the party did not arrive—and for good reason. Half an hour before, a plantation hand, stroll- ing to work from his hut in the hills, in the cool of the morning, was set upon by half a dozen armed and drunken insurrectos. Had they been sober it would have been all up with him. As it was, he slipped nimbly out of their grasp, leaving most of his clothes behind him, and cantered yell- ing down the trail. ) He reached the wharf more than half naked and panting for breath. He fell down at his master’s feet. “Insurrectos—insurrectos!” claimed. The master started. “Then it was shots I heard,” he said. He turned to his guests. “Come,” he commanded, “there is not a moment to lose. Follow me at ouce.” He reached the veranda and blew three shrill blasts upon a whistle. Im- mediately half a hundred blacks rushed upon the scene, eyes wide with terror, but ready to obey orders. “Everybody in,” he commanded. “My guests will seek the bedrooms on the second floor.” Annette touched the planter on the arm. “Give me a gun,” she said. “I'll do my part. When there’s a fight I can’t keep out, somehow.” “I was bound he ex- CHAPTER XXXIIL. Among the Missing. Annette sank back, gasping Wwith the smoke. The situation, to her, seemed hopeless. Inside, the ammuni- tion was slowly giving out. Without, the house was surrounded on all sides by insurrectos. She crept to the planter’s side. “I've fired my last shot,” she sald. “Can I have more?” She got dt, but etill lingered. “Do you think you can | hold the place?” she queried. The planter smiled and shrugged !'his - shoulders. “The insurrectos— what are they?” he exclaimed. “Noth- ing.” He peered through his loophole. “Eye-yah,” cried the planter, “who is the stranger there?” Annette followed the direction of his | finger. She shrank back. “Scar-face!” she cried, in despair. “He knows how to load,” said the planter, shaking his head soberly, “but at any rate we can hold out—until the Americanos come.” “If our messenger got throvgh,” fal- itered Annette. Their messenger did get through. “The Americanos—the Americanos— Fleel” A quarter of an hour before a black kad penetratel to the camp of the trarines and had given the alarm—and. the whole camp had started off on the double quick. “Boys!” shouted Neal, pressing to the fore, “American women—don't for-' get-—come on!” q In an upper room in the planter's house Mrs. Hardin shrank back in a, corner with fear. Bullets were rid- dling the walls. Joe Welcher lay face, down. Inez, with presence of mind, had placed a mattress against the wall and with Joe’s aid had placed an upturned bed against the other. They, were fairly safe. Besides that, just once, Inez had found a chance to wave to Hernandez, and Hernandez had. kept the insurrectos from firing on that corner of the house. Inez crept’ downstairs—looked about her—saw Annette and the planter in close con- versation—then crept back again. She plucked Joey Welcher by the sleeve. “Joe,” she whispered, “g0, down—pass through the corridor by the kitchen—open the rear door.” “Not on your life,” said Joe. “Do you think I want to die?” “Youw’ll die if you don’t,” she said. “Come, follow me!” Once below, Inez cocked her revol- ver. “Do as I say,” she commanded. Joe obeyed. With terror in his eyes he tore and wrenched at the fastenings of the rearmost passageway. Finally he stepped back. “She’s unlocked,” he exclaimed. Inez, unafraid, stepped forward, opened wide the door and beckoned. It was a signal. Hernan- dez saw it and bounded forward. “Follow me, insurrectos,” he com- manded. A hundred men- obeyed. With & shout they dashed into the huge living room on the ground floor—with an- other shout they fired a volley into the backs of the defenders. The planter, drawing a bead on an insur- recto without, was seized suddenly" from behind, gagged and bound. A strong pair of arms seized Annette and lifted her from the floor and bore her, screaming, from the room. Three minutes later she was thrown into a far room in a secluded corner of the house. Into the same room were thrown Inez and Mrs. Hardin and Joe ‘Welcher. ‘With a sudden wrench Annette tore loose a beard that barricaded the win- dow. Then her eyes brightened. “Look!” she cried. “The marines— they come. Neal! Neal!” 5 Her shout was not heard, of course, but it was accompanied with the wave of a white handkerchief. Neal, at the head of the squad, saw it—and the squad pressed forward at double speed. Below, among the insurrectos, An- nette could hear the panic. “The Americanos—the Americanos —fles!” Neal reached the house—saw who waved the kerchief. With a sudden bound he leaped upon an arbor, scram- bled and crawled somehow—with some naval trick—up the face of the house, rammed in the barricade and leaped into the room. “Annette,” he cried. But at that instant the door of the room was burst open and Hernandez, with Ponto and the Brute and a dozen insurrectos, darted in. “Take everybody here—including him,” commanded Hernandez. ‘Take them—you know where. But remem- ber—the women are mine, not yours.” Neal fought like a tigen, but without success. In five minutes or less the captives, Neal and Annette included, were led through dark passageways to some underground corridor. They were driven on and on—they knew not where. An hour later the squad of marines reported to their officer. 5 “We can’t find a woman on the place, except the blacks,” they sald. “Are we all here?” queried the offi- cer, anxious for his men. “Just call the roll and see.” “All here,” returned a marine, “but no, not all here. There’s one missing —Gunner Hardin, sir.” The officer nodded. “We'll find Gun- ner Hardin if it takes a leg,” he sald.