"Yes," sadly. "It is plain that we cannot get word to Junius in time for him to reach Guadalupe by that day." Then starting up with fire in her eye, she cried: "Why not make the attempt ourselves?" "Oh!" prolonged, and in amazement, by Marie. "We dare not!" "And why dare we not, Miss Timidity?" retorted Mollie, scornfully. "Because we are only poor, weak women; it would take men, great, big men, to perform this terrible task." "Oh, pshaw! you are a timid little mouse; that's what you are, Marie Hathaway. I am going to rescue this woman, and you are going with me," grandly. "Now, don't say a word," as the other attempted to speak. "You go immediately and get everything ready for our journey; we will leave for San Diego to-night, at 19 dial, for I remember that San Diego is in latitude 33, or thereabouts; and that should be the place from which to take a lipthalener." "Truly, Mollie?" with a look of consternation in her eyes. "Yes; truly! Now, Marie; have some courage. Will you go with me and aid me? or must I go alone?" and she put her arms lovingly about the girl's waist. "If you really and truly mean it, dear Mollie, I will do as you wish, and go with you; but it's an awful undertaking," shaking her head. Thus was it decided by these two young women to go thousands of miles to an unknown island, seek the location of an isolated cavern, and bring back to life the prisoner therein entombed. An hour after, and Mollie came into the library, where her father was engaged in writing. Stealing softly up to him, she put her plump white arms about his neck, and kissed his forehead reverently. "What is it now, pet?" he said, laying down his pen. "Father, dear; I wish to visit aunt Lora in San Francisco; can I go?" looking him in the eyes. "Why, yes; I suppose so. You may go next week if you can get ready." "Not next week, papa. I want to go to-night; on the Central Pneumatic." "What?" he exclaimed. "To-night! And why this haste, my daughter?" and he gave her a deep, searching look. "Father, have I been a good, true daughter to you?" and her deep blue eyes looked straight into his. "In truth you have, my daughter," and he kissed her cheek, so close to his lips. "Then, my dear father, I beg of you one great kindness, one great confidence in my sincerity, honesty, and truthfulness. Grant me permission to go West to-night with Marie Colchester; grant me a short time to remain, give me a thousand dollars, and ask me not to tell you the reasons for my strange request and actions." "My daughter, this is very strange!" and he arose from his chair, took her hands in his, and drew her toward him. His eyes looked into hers with an earnest expression. Steadily, and with an honest eye, she returned his gaze. "Do you, indeed, make this request?" he slowly added. "Father, I do," she replied. "Answer me one question. Has Lester Hathaway any connection with this undertaking?" "As God sees me, he has not," she firmly replied.