The Halfpenny Marvel, Vol. 5, No. 109 — page 4: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- 4acghe thie&—a. common “housebreaker or some aleck, Rastern “-gtones}’" be, ) r= 4. Es ae r Ay ape A ép Fc Zz ed r ed ; re Lf , t ” ¢ - ce ® 3! i : n - 2 © se zvaryy g'* #8 os = us 1 te ai ae ¥ t ms: le r =f s 4 E. Pim By ab ? ¥v. i oh Pad myles <\aee Sew tes et tp ee = tom a ad . = " cried. - “Their osoult powor is established beyond e after, time EF have proved it. Who, think you, ns an ae “# Tidoubtedly the latter.’ “The doot or sank into she nearest chair, faint and dizay. : “Are you sure that stone ig,the snake-wort of {India ?’”” asked Gordon. i : oe * Absolutely cartain! The socintiliating fibre in $he centre shone brighter than the finest diamond!” exclaimed "the ductor. ‘Besides, I have tested its efficacy, and its yirtues have been. known to six generations of my family. The stone was brought from India by an ancestor, who found it in the sheesh nag’s head.”* “Do you mean to tell me, Dr. Bruce, that you believe the extravagant virtues claimed for this stone?” asked Haverlock. “Fixtravagent they! may seem, bub [ have proved their existence,” replied Bruce “That stone is composed of a@ marvellous chemical, so sensitive to every influence that for 2 time its magnetic attraction, concentrates the dominant influence which may surround it. In this state it can be used az a most degdly agent—that is, if the influence is evil or dangerous 5 pee should the inBuence ba good, its possession intensifies the good. Armed with such a power, an un- scrupulous man could do anything short of actually destroying the world.” “So Hastern tradition asserts,’ interposed Haverlock. “ An Indian fakir once told me how his fathers, to revenge them- selves upon.the unbelieving infidels, devastated the world with a black plague by the agency of the snake-wart.”’ “That stone wag the most precious heirloom of our family. li hay saved scores of lives, and now same dastardly thief has taken °t for his own ends. He cannot be allowed to retain 1, or ruio and death may spread everywhere to sattate jus evil passions.; Haverlock, there’s only one alternative. That man, whoever he is, must be found!” Bruce paused, and looked appealingly towards his friend. “The task will be a Jong and dangerous one if, as I foresee, the thief goes Hast,’ replied Gordon. “ Are you prepa red to risks hardship and peril to retain this snake-wort 2’ “ Anvthing!' anything!’ cried Bruce. “For the sake of common humanity that stone must be found!” “Very well, then. The sooner we begin the search the bo cer,” said Haverlock. “JT have no tes, and am at your service when you please.’ : “Thank you, Haverlock, a thousand times! You, who Know tae) Hast so well, will be an invaluablo ally. I can never repay this obligation.” “ But someone else may,” laughed Gordon. Whereat Wallace Bruce wrung his newly-found friend's ancl, and inwardly determined, in the event of such repayment laing made, that his niece and Gordon Haverlock should want far uothing . “Unele, I believe that man whom you brought here last right is the thief!” exclaimed Gilda, presently. “ I remember he asked several questions about the stone. ITs seemed to interest him strangely.” ence and his friend exchanged glances. “ But it was safe enough at three o'clock this morning, when Wwe retired,’ said Bruce. “Lhe thief must have entered by the corridor-window, sir,” reuuarked Morris, the doctor's steward. ‘The catch is un- lnstened, and the paint about the window-ledge is scratched.” ” Have the police been informed?” asked Bruee, “Wes, sir. Here they are,” rephed the steward, as the county inspector and two officers entered. “My maa tells me he saw a fellow loafing ahout your grounds last night, sir,"’ said the inspector. “ He gave chase, but the scoundrel was too smart, and got clean away. He (isippeared close by the raihvay line. Probably he: caugnt the ‘special’ this morning which the company ran for the convenience of disabled travellers.” Phe, doctor thought it only tou probable. Theu he explained in detail the mysterious theft. ater in the day a telegram was handed in from Liverpool headquarters, saying that a cloe had been obtained. : “ He's in Liverpool, emt ee Se 5 sure enough!’ exclaimed Haverleck. * There is a belief current in all parts of India and the East tat a certain variety of snake, called sheesh nag, when it Qttains the age of;one thousand years, has a precious jewel formted in its head!. The jewel is said- to contain a thin, crescent-like fibra, which unceasingly oscillates in the centre, Only two such stones are known to exist. One is kept inside a lemple , the heart of Thibet, and the other is now in Mr. Hovertoc “¢ possession, While apart their virtues are extra- ordinary ; but tradition asserta that should they by any chanca become patred the world would be overrun by the sheesh nag-— the most deadly reptile in existence.—Ep. | — ee ee ee =u “ye ig ‘g a ‘J 7 Te ve S soporte’ yet ee ee A : i Z s y on el res Sy, 7 pe AN SAD ae es 1 "59 l e os fi ee a4) ts eg > hay? 7 oe s A os ‘ .* Bs te cgsted! fase { te é : a co a r ony ¥ ae ad if re ‘ wD > ae Fo >) oe a bas i me é = f . 4 4, Wa, ar Rud 0 Bawa Rie — 938 Pi’ 4 - tie” Wop Ute, \ Ce ae) Sf . \ et ae et ve < << *Welve no tima to lose, and mush comer him on oprows.” account. Are you ready, doctor? Y fear this may, Menna. long absence, -Miss- Armitage; that is.to say, if Wwe miss our man-in Liverpool. But do not grow uneasy., You ¢ how our chase succeeds.”* tm ae Fe pressed the little hand held out for him, and took his seat in the dogoart. - , oe On unele! must you go?” cried Hilda, a3 Bruce bade good. bye. | ste Fhe “Go, little one—yes! Bui you must look after my. affaira while I’m away. Dr, Sparke will act‘as locum tenens. Good- ° bye, child. I may not be absent long.” And the worthy’ dector sprang into his seat, and, whipping up the horse, was soon out of sight-round the bend in the avenue, — 7 Gordon turned once, and waved a last good-bye. Little did he think how their next meeting would be brovght about. The first Aud been strange, but the second was ‘to be far stranger. Tor ate was busy weaving thut web which events Were yet to reveal, They caught their train, and steamed into Liverpool about seven o'clock the same evening. “Too Jate!’’ eried Haverlock, as, having made inguiries, he was informed that an invaiid gentleman had booked to Yokohama by a steamer which lad left at two o'clock. “That is our man!” execlaiined Haverlock, “and the man who yesterday was travelling north with me. I recognise his description. Depend on it, the snake-wort is bound once more for the Kast!” ee CHAPTER II. & Desperate Undertaking -4 Perilous VYoyage-—A. Marvellous Escape - An Awful Plight — The Strange Deretict — Deliverance — Mystery —- The snake-Wort-—How Fate Works the End. Bruce promptly decided their course of action. It would, he said, be useless to. follow the Fugitive unless they could intereept him at Yokubama. To do so meant taking the over- land route, and sailing from San francisco, Then they would gain ten clear dary. “TE we're smart we shall nab him in port!” eried Gordon. “After all, ouv task may be comparatively casy.”’ But the doctor thoagie otherwise. Ancditis as vel], perhaps, that he did, for le equipped himeyelt with powder and shot, and a supply of duath-dealne necessaries {o last some time. Luurkily, on the morrow one of the moil-steamers left for New York. ‘“ho jouracy was uneventful, aad, am due course, they reached ’Frisca, where, by judiciously manipulating the dector’s purse-stemes, they secured passage on a tramp bound for the Philippines. Vhe weather was all thar could be desired as they stecred a direct course for Wonolulu, much against Haverlock’s will; then, turning the belm about wes by uorth, the skipper rap, for Yokohama, “We'll make port in sbout a week's time, colonel,” he drawled, addressing Flaverlock one morning. “fo very much doubt it,’ replied the latter, “We'll have ag much as we can do to keep wHhoat by nightfall, if the glass is any indication.”' "Put, tat! this old boat's stood many a storm, and shall stand a few more, I reckon, atere she’s done!” exclaimed the skipper, But befere night closed in he had oeeasionu to remember Haverlock’s warning. ‘Che heavens grew dark and thwreaten- yng, and ficful guats blowing from the south lashed the water into little Lillecks. The lramp rolled ominously. “Can't make it out! This ain't no time fur typhoons!" drawled the skipper. "firme or no tune, we're in the very teeth of one!’ erted Gordon. “ Look!” He potted across the atarboard port to where, in the dis- tance, an mcoming wave towered forty feet above the others. The skipper was electrified. “Port your helm!” he shouted. “Now, you hulking rascals, furl canvas, sharp, every mon Jack of you!” But the crew, lazy as they were, needed no second bidding, ‘Che licarse shrieking of the wind as it tore through the rigging, aud the smothered roar of the upcoming waters sufficiently attested the need for fiaste. “Full apeel ahead!’ cried the Yaukee, speaking down the tube. The tramp answered ber helm wonderfully. In a jiffey her erew furled what little canvas she had been curryiag. “Hold on fer your !ivea!’? shouted the skipper, ag tha immense wave towered bigh above the stern, and next moment broke over the deck ofthe “ Flying Kite.” | “Haverinck, whoa had foreseen wheat would happen, had lashed himself to the foremast. Ina moment the water surged ‘6 THROUGH EARTH, SEA, AND SKY” is the title of the complete Story in our CHRISTMAS | - NUMBIR, out next week. Specially written and specially iNustrated, s ’ Se PR ATIUAL TS TRG BONED YP GE NE C; hall hepr: (SO) MICIOQO KS XEO