The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-01-13

That liquer essentially Tuscan, and
smoked on as the moon rose and the
lights of the harbor began to twinkle in
the steely night.
AS L sat talking, my thoughts ran
back to that torn photograph. TO me it
seemed as though some previous visitor
that day had sat upon the couch, de-
str0yed the picture, and cast il where |
had found 1t. But for what reason?
Who was the merry-faced girl whose pic
ture had aroused such jealousy or re-
vengeI
| purposely led the conversation to
Hornby's family, and learned from him
that he had no children.
you'll get the repairs to your engines
done at Orlando's, / suppose?" / re-
marked, naming the great shipbuilding
firm of Leghorn.
eyes. I've already given the order.
They are contracted to be finished by
next Thursday, and then we shall be off
to Zante and Chic"
For what reason, | wondered, recol-
Letting that formidable armory on board.
Already / had seen quite sufficient to
convince me that the Lola, although out
wardly a pleasure yacht, was built of
steel, armored in its most vulnerable
parts, and capable of resisting very
sharp fire.
The hours passed, and beneath the
brilliant moon we smoked long into the
night, for after the blazing sunshine of
that Tuscan town the cool sea wind at
night is very refreshing. From where
we sat we commanded view of the
whole sea front of Leghorn and Ardenza,
with its bright open-ar cafe concerts
and restaurants in full swing-all- the
life and gayety of that popular water.
ing place.
Presently, when Horribly had risen to
call steward and left me alone with
Hylton Chatter, the latter whispered to
me in confidence:
"lf you find my friend Horribly little
bit strange in his manner, Mr.. Gregg,
you must take no notice. To tell the
truth, he is a man who has become sud
denly wealthy beyond the widest dreams
of avarice, and ] fear it has had an eff
feet upon his brain. He does very queer
things at times"
He was either telling the truth, or else
he was endeavoring to allay my sus.
picions by an extremely clever ruse.
Now | had already decided that Philip
Horribly; was no eccentric, but partic-
ularly level. headed and practical man.
Therefore instantly arrived at the con
clusion that the clean-shaven fellow who
looked so much like London barrister
had some distinct and Interior purpose
in arousing within my mind suspicion of
his hosts sanity.
1t was past midnight when, having
babe the strange pair adieu, ! was put
ashore by the two sailors who had rOwed
me out and drove home along the sea
front, puzzled and perplexed
Next morning. on my arrival at the
Consulate, old Francesca, who had en-
tered only moment before, met me with
blanched face, gasping-
"There have been thieves here in the
night, signore! The Signor Consoles
safe has been opened"
"Thc safe!" | cried, dashing into
HutchesOn's private room, and finding
to my dismay the big safe, wherein the
seals, ciphers and other confidential doc
uments were kept, standing open, and
the contents in disorder. as though a
hasty search had been made among them
Was it possible that the thieves had
been after the Admiralty and Foreign
Office ciphers, copies of which the Chan
celleries of certain European Powers
were ever endeavoring to obtain?
smiled within myself when | realized
how bitterly disappointed the burglars
must have been, for British Consul
when he goes on leave to England al
ways takes his ciphers with him, and de-
posits them at the Foreign Office for
safekeeping. Hutcheson had, of course,
taken his, according to the regulations.
Curiously enough, however, the door