THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1937, Page 8

THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND

— ii m PART n. (Written by "laia Tusitala," 13, City.) BUT just as the jewels were piled into a little heap for Silas Snick to scoop up, another shot rang out, followed by Black Beard's voice calling: "Hands up. everybody!" Silas Snick wheeled round, only to find himself in the custody of three massive pirates, and armed piratts filing into the room. With a snort of rage, he handed over the jewels to Black Beard, who retired hastily. Geoffrey, perceiving his intention, rushed round the back, and mounting his horse as quickly, galloped away through a short cut which he had discovered, to head off the pirates, who were making their way to their lair. Geoffrey arrived just in time, for he could hear the pirates coming. He quickly dismounted, and cocking his pistols, ho waited in the shadow of the hedge. At last they came within firing range. He stepped out in front and levelled his arms. "Halt," he called. "Hand over those jewels, you villain!" Black Beard, a craven coward at heart, surrendered them without a word. Geofirey withdrew into the shadows, still keeping an eye on the pirates. For the next few days there was no excitement. Geoffrey made quiet investigations, but found nothing. One day he and Nicholas were galloping in the mountains when they encountered a man who seemed very old, for he had long white hair and a long, white beard. In spite of this, however, the boys recognised the similarity between this man and the Governor of Sante Figo. "Stop, my young masters," he cried in a voice so young thai they were surprised. Then to their further astonishment, the stranger proceeded to tell them his story. "I am the real Governor of Sante Figo; Caramia is my daughter, but she knows nothing of this, for she was bui; a babe when I wast deposed by my brother, Ferninand. Will you help ma to expose him?" Readily Geoffrey offered his services, for he believed Senor Juan and would assist for Caramia's sake. Nicholas also promised, so they mounted their steeds, bearing the real Governor between them. As they rode, they made plans. At last it was decided thai, they should capture the bogus Governor and wring a confession from hirr:. On the following night two mysterious figures crept through the grounds of the Governor's residence and stealthily climbed the ivy till they had reached the library window, through which the back of Ferninand was seen. Quietly opening the window and creeping up behind him, Geoffrev and Nicholas gagged their prisoner and tien bound him. For the night the youths locked him in the hut which they had found in the mountains. later they asked of bim: "Arc you prepared to write a full confession of your

guilt?" He refused, but, after three days in custody, he obeyed, fearing their threats. With this acknowledgment End the false Governor, Geoffrey and Nicholas rode to the warder of the prison of the island. Soon Senor Juan's wicked brother was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. During the next few months many wars were raged between Mernita and Sante Figo, the smugglers taking Mernita's part, and the pirates, under Black Beard, sympathising with Sante Fig o, so the boys did not inquire into Sir Simon's doings. Ohe day. however, Geoffrey chanced to see a scrap of paper lying on the cellar floor. Severul words were visible: "At . . edge ... tunnel ... mid . . .mon." Realising that Sir Simon had arranged for more bales of cloth to be sent into the island, the friends reached the cave by another route. But the Magistrate accompanied them, and as his own eyes saw the evidence of their guilt, he placed Sir Simon, Cecil, and the smugglers in prison. The Governor of Sante Figo was so pleased with Geoffrey that he consented to give him Caramia's hand ii marriage. The old castle was transformed into a luxurious home, and Nicholas became the general of the town, for the battles continued. i ■