The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-03-14

"Of course not and the man
chuckled. 1 look rather different to
what I 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
I saw him he was criminal in a
dock, when / heard him sentenced to
IL months Imprisonment for attempt
ed burglary
"You!" cried the girl, peering into
his face. "Why, what are you doing
here?"
$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 worl?'
ST fail to understand your mean
ing" she replied, with an impatient
gesture.
Come, Lucille, don't behave like a
saint! l can tell you things about
yourself that even you would not care
to hear. Are you supposed to have
turned over a 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 a living in an honest man.
ner. Quite a change, is it not? But
it won't do for me. Can you guess
why I took passage aboard this
boat?"
Eyes, I can! Your object is some
unlucky persons money or jewelry."
| Correct, mademoiselle!" and
Fletcher gave low laugh. "But now
I've little surprise for you. Mrs.
Yanderton is the lady to whom I am
paying my delicate attentions"
Mrs. Vanderton!" the girl repeat
ed. in startled tones. But you shall
not harm her. I will go at once and
"Not so fast, my dear, or your po-
sition would scarcely be an enviable
one" He seized her wrist and held
her fast. ''She carries large guam
tity of valuables about with her. I
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 a pretty
spirit! You are still the Lucille of
old in temper, if in nothing else. But
listen to me. I've reckoned on your
help, and [ mean to have it. Mrs.
Vanderton would not employ you if
she were aware of the character you
bear. | don't feel anxious to inform
her, but if you prove obstinate"
He paused, meaningly.
A shudder passed over the girl. He
saw his advantage and pressed her
further.
"There is no need for us to quar-
rel,' he said. quietly. you will take
no part in the business at all. I shall
attempt nothing on board this vessel.
All require from you is informa-
ton about what you will do upon
landing at New York.
She stood silent moment, deep in
thought. II will tell you to-mor-
row." she answered, slowly. Then
without another word she turned and
hurried away.
From the conversation gathered
what she had been, and as she had at
tempted to rise from criminal
sphere I would see that Fletcher
should not be the one to drag her
down again.
eff the man you overheard was
correct in his statement, Anderson
said my chief, "then Mrs. Vanderton
is the woman we are in search of. She
only declared small quantity of
jewelry."
"Just so,' was my reply. 81 have
traced her to small hotel and have
left man on the watch. I had in
tended going there this evening and
noting the events. This fellow Fetch
er is on the track of the diamonds
also, but with very different object
to ours"
"Do as you wish, Anderson. The
case is in your hands" And with
that the chief dismissed me.
| So it came about that at dusk I and
two of my comrades were safely in
stalled in room next to that occu-
pied by Mrs. Vanderton. A ventilato1
communicated between the two, and
by standing upon table / was able
to hear, and in some measure to see
all that took place. Evidently the
lady was expecting visitor, for tc
Lucille she complained more than
once that certain person was very
late.
i ''You must go out of the room when
he comes. Mr.. Ryland and / have
some business to consider"
"As you WISH" was the girls quiet
reply. "In fact, if you will allow me
I should like to go now and take q
walk in the avenue"
by all MEANS" Mrs. Vandertor
acquisced; and shortly afterwards
Lucille put on her hat and went out
/ Of l.