The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-03-08

"Of course not,'' and the man
chuckled. l look rather different to
what l did two years ago. But you
will remember your old friend Alec
Heyley!"
"Alec Heyley!" With the sound of
the name the owners past history re-
turned to me in flash. The last time
saw him he was a criminal in a
dock. when heard him sentenced to
10 months Imprisonment for attempt
ed burglary.
"You!" cried the girl, peering into
his face. "Why, what are you doing
hcre?"
$50 you have not forgotten? That's
all right. Oh! don't be afraid, my
dear!" he said, familiarity. whats
the game you're trying to worlS?'
Il fail to understand your mean
ing" she replied, with an impatient
gesture.
"Come, Lucille, don't behave like q
saint! 1 can tell you things about
yourself that even you would not care
to hear. Are you supposed to have
turned over new leaf, eh?"
She did not answer him. Her foot
was tapping the deck angrily.
$50 that's the case, is it? You're
earning living in an honest man
ner. Quite change, is it not? But
it won't do for me. Can you guess
why 1 took passage aboard this
boat?"
Eyes, 1 can! Your object is some
unlucky PERSONS money or jewelry. y
Correct, mademoiselle!" and
Fletcher gave a low laugh. "But now
I've little surprise for you. Mrs.
Vanderton is the lady to whom am
paying my delicate attentions"
'Mrs. Vanderton!" the girl repeat
ed, in startled tones. "But you shall
not harm her. will go at once and
"Not SO fast, my dear, or your po-
sition would scarcely be an enyiable
one" He seized her wrist and held
her fast. "She carries a large guam
tity of valuables about with her. ]
watched her make some pretty heavy
purchases of unset diamonds on the
continent"
81 know nothing about it. I will
not listen. Let me go!" she cried, al.
most wildly, trying to free herself. 81
will have nothing to do with your
schemes, and what is more, shall in
form the captain who his passenger
is"
"By Jove!" exclaimed the man, re
leasing her. "But you have Il pretty
spirit! You are still the Lucille OF
old in temper, If in nothing else. But
listen to me. I've reckoned on you
help, and | mean to have it. Mrs
Vanderton would not employ you L
she were aware of the character 20,
bear. ! don't feel anxious to inform
her, but if you prove obstinate
He paused, menningly.
| A shudder passed over the girl. HI
! saw his advantage and pressed he
further.
"There is no need for us to quar-
REL" he said. quietly. "You will TAX
no part in the business at all. I shall
attempt nothing on board this vessel
All l require from you is informa
ton about what you will do upol
landing at New York"
She stood silent moment, deep il
thought. II will tell you to-mol
row." she answered, slowly. The
without another word she turned an
hurried away.
"She'll help mel" muttered Fletche
to himself. During the interview h
had discarded the crutch, thus pro,
ing that my supposition on the frs
night was correct. Now he replace
it under his arm and hobbled alon
the deck from my sight.
I rose out of my cramped positio
and stretched my limbs. So was mis-
taken in the man, after all. He wa
not Il clever smuggler, but a mer
common thief. But ! determined h
should not succeed if could proven
il. l felt sorry for the girl Lucill'
From the conversation gat1lere
what she had been, and as she had a
tempted to rise from a crimins
sphere would see that F1etche
should not be the one to drag he
down again.
eff the man you overheard VIZ
correct in his statement, Anderson
said INV chief. "then Mrs. Vandertu
is the woman we are in search Of. ST
only declared small quantity I
iewelry."
"Just so," was my reply. ~ ha'
traced her to Il small hotel and ha'
left n man on the watch. had il
tended going there this evening al
noting the events. This fellow Fletc
cr is on the track of the diamond
also, but with very different obie
to ours"
"Do as you wish, Anderson. IT
case is in your hands," And wi
that the chief dismissed me.
L So it came about that at dusk nj
two of my comrades We're safely
r stalled in - room next to that occ
a pied by Mrs. Vanderton. A ventilat
n communicated between the two, a
D by standing upon a table was oil
). to hear, and in some measure to 81
all that took place. Evidently t
n lady was expecting visitor. for
a Lucille she complained more tn
i once that certain person was We
!. late.
"a "You must go out of the room WI
"a he comes. Mr.. Ryland and hi
N some business to consider" :
% cas- you WISH" was the girls gu
reply. "In fact, if you will allow