Evening Star Newspaper, October 20, 1935, Page 93

Magazine Section Dark Waters Danger beneath the sea and treachery above. (oncluding a story of gold and love under Bahama skies by CHARLES BROMFIELD SUMMARY OF CHAPTER I (13 GOT A nice proposition.’’ The two disreputable-looking men had come up to Terry McGovern, as he was removing his diving helmet. He had just finished raising a lighter which had floundered in the Bay. “‘What is it?"" he asked. ) In a café facing the waterfront, Finch and the Greek told him. They had learned, while they were rum running, that the yacht Amarillis lay wrecked off an isolated island in the Bahamas. The same vessel that had left New York with $800,000 in currency and gold, and never been heard from since. A fortune was waiting for him who found it first! It sounded good to Terry. They agreed to split four ways, one for each of them, and one for an old man on a nearby island who, the Greek and Finch believed, could show them the reef which had sent the yacht under. Strange things happened to Terry when they reached Bahama waters — not the strangest of which was the sudden appearance on his tug of a golden-haired girl who told him: “You must go away!"” She explained that her grandfather, with whom she lived on shore, had acted queerly ever since he had helped bury the dead from a recent wreck. ‘‘He'll shoot at any stranger,’” she warned. And as Joan Lawson was talking, Finch and the Greek brought in the hostile old man — struggling against them and shrieking that they had come to rob him. “Don't worry,” Terry bade the girl that night. “Sleep in a berth above your grand- father if you can. Call at any sign of danger. I shall be near.” He was awakened by her screams. On the deck he was met by Finch with a drawn revol- ver. “We're not waiting any longer for the old man to make up his mind,"” Finch told him grimly. ‘‘Some other outfit might show up." The Greek was tying old Lawson and curs- ing at him for refusing to disclose where the Amarillis had sunk. The girl was crying out in protest; suddenly the Greek gave her a blow on the head. This was too much for Terry. He let the Greek have one behind the ear. Then it was lights out for Terry. CHAPTER I HEN Terry came to, he was con- scious at first only of the painful throbbing in his head. After that, gradually he felt the swell of the sea grow stronger under him. They were mov- ing! He tried to get up but found that his hands and feet were bound. Turning sidewise he saw that Finch was at the wheel. The Greek had old Lawson bound to the mast, standing up, so that he could see out over the bow. The Greek had a box of matches in his hand. Then Terry twisted around. Behind him they had Joan tied in a chair. When she saw him, she smiled faintly, and the tears came into her eyes. So that was it. The Greek was burning old Lawson's fingers with matches, making him show the way. Finch turned then, and saw that Terry had come to. He said, “You're a fool, McGovern, to let an old crank stand between you and a lotta dough.” Terry knew he was right, but he hated Finch and the Greek for what they had done. He said, ‘‘Let me up!” Finch shook his head. “Not on your life. Not until Lawson gets us there, and then only if you'll dive.” . There didn't seem to be any other way out. Presently old Lawson quavered, ‘“We're nearly there." Terry could see he was licked. He sagged against the ropes that bound him to the mast. THIS WEEK Illustration by Elmore Brown His face was contorted in pain, and he was looking back taking bearings from the land. The Greek struck a match then and held the flame under the old man’s hands. Lawson screamed. The Greek chuckled and said, “You sure?”’ Terry shouted, “Finch, he's doing all right. What do you want?"” Finch said, ““I want you to dive.” Terry rolled over and looked at Joan. Her slender body was shaking with sobs. He couldn't bear it. “All right, I'll dive.” Turning, he told the Greek to get the old man some rum. Lawson had passed out. He hung against the ropes like an empty bag. The Greek brought the bottle and forced the neck between Lawson's teeth. Presently the old man coughed. His eyelids began to flutter, and suddenly he stood up with a jerk. “Straight ahead!" he criéd. He was scared clean through. A second later he seemed to get a hold of himself. Looking back at the land, he shouted, “No, weigh enough, let her drift.” Finch threw out the clutch then. The Greek raced all over the ship, halting briefly to lean far out over the side. The tug lost head- way and at last came to a stop. Finch turned, ‘ lwe“ ?l : The old man said, “Do you see the reef?"’ The Greek’s voice came back faintly. - “We're over it."” Terry let a burst of shot II go over their heads, and they turned — frozen and wide-eyed Old Lawson said then, “Follow it back.” Then, throwing in the clutch, Finch brought « the ship about, and headed her back. The Greek was leaning far out over the bow. Sud- denly he began shouting at the top of his voice. “Hey! Stop! She's here! Right below. Hey, back her up!” Finch braced himself, and gave the tug full speed astern. When he got the signal from the Greek, he threw out the clutch. Leaving the wheel he came over then, and cut the old man loose. “Get out there and show that slob where to drop the hook.” Finch returned from the wheelhouse after the ship was anchored, carrying a sheath knife and a gat. He cut the ropes binding Terry. Terry put his hand up to where Finch's bullet had clipped his scalp. His fingers came away sticky and wet. Finch stood a safe distance off, watching closely. “Come on,” he said. “We got no time to waste.” Terry nodded to Joan. “Cut her loose.” He went out on deck then and looked over the side. The Amarillis was there all right, at about six fathoms. He could see her white side glimmering in the water below. As to the depth, the job was a cinch, Stepping back from the rail, Terry looked about. He wasn't going to be left on the bottom to rot, he knew that. Yet he could see nothing to assure him that once down there, he would ever be raised. Finch and the Greek were standing watching him from the stern — a couple of cut-throats. Without any risk, they could be rid of him easily like that. Joan was leaning over her grandfather who had collapsed in the bow. A kid of a girland a doddering old man. Could they help? A little bitterly, Terry laughed. There was only She answer. He'd come up first. He'd be on deck to watch the stuff come up, then he’d be safe. Otherwise the dough could stay down there. Terry went aft then, and began getting into his suit. “We're short handed,” he said. “You, Finch, will have two jobs. Get on the 'phone and man the pumps.”’ Finch was so anxious to get going, he jumped. Terry nodded at the Greek: “Lower meaway, and stand by the grapnels and hoist.” In his suit Terry crawled over the side and stood on the ladder. Finch had laid down his gat and was ready with the helmet, but before Terry let it go over his head, he gave it to them straight out. He said, “Now, yéu wharf rats, listen. If there's anything down there, it’s not coming up until I'm on deck. Get it? Sodon’t try a double cross.” - Finch and the Greek just looked dumb. Finch lowered the helmet and screwed it tight. They tested the 'phone and the pumps, and everything seemed okay. Terry asked for a crowbar. He saw Finch give the order to the Greek, and the Greek handed him the bar. Then the Greek lowered him. (Continued on page 13)