The Monroe journal. [volume] (Monroe, N.C.) 189?-1965, 1910-09-13

during the afternoon aud evening. not
leaving his stateroom The next morn
ing be passed on deck. He expected
every moment that some man would
attempt TO make bis acquaintance. No
man did. but a very pretty young wo-
man sitting in a steamer chair looked
az him as be passed her and cast down
her long Spanish lashes. Every time
he passed In pacing back and forth
she gave him the same glance and the
same downward sweep. He suspected
her at once and put himself on his
guard.
With the exception OF the Spanish
woman there was no evidence Of any
lperson or persons Swallowing him. But
on the second day out an old lady with
very white hair came up the compan-
ionway and looked about for a seat
The ship was rolling. and Maitland.
taking hold Of her arm. supported her
TO a steamer chair. She thanked him.
but he would have nothing TO do with
her. Surely he had reason TO suspect
every one. The old lady besides thank
ing him made some commonplace re-
mark. to which it would have been no
lite for him 10 respond. but he turned
from her as though she had some in
fectious disease.
Several times after that he surveyed
her from distance and noticed that
she looked very peculiar. Indeed. after
scrutinizing her one afternoon as she
sat DOING in her steamer chair ii &C.
Cured TO him that she was young
person disguised as an old woman.
When the day before the ship was
due at Vera Cruz he saw her and the
young Spanish woman sitting side by
side and talking con6dentially he made
up his mind that they had been sent
out from Washington 10 steal his dis
patch and that one or both OF them had
already opened his suit case. Prob
ably one did the work while the other
kept watch.
"A few hours before his arrival in port
Maitland went 10 his stateroom, took
the dispatch from his pocket and look
ed at II. He felt very happy. II he
had got II so far ON the journey despite
those who were trying to get 1t from
him surely he could do what little re-
manned. Replacing 1t. he picked up his
| cigarette case, which he had left on q
shelf, lighted a cigarette and. lying
down with his novel. began to read.
He soon became drowzy and fell asleep.
When he awoke the ship was in port.
He felt nauseated. Something had
happened. He clapped his hand to his
side pocket
The dispatch was gone.
Beaten after ALL" he moaned.
Starting up he staggered out and on
to the deck. No one had gone ashore.
A last hope occurred TO him. He would
have the two women arrested on
trumped up charge There they were
near the companionway. lie rushed
forward and. seeing n policeman on
the dock, beckoned TO him. The man
met him on the companionway, and
Maitland, slipping ten dollar bill into
his hand, told him that there were two
women thieves on board who had rob
bed him. When the women reached
the dock they were taken into custody
They made great ado at their arrest,
asserting their innocence.
~ am an American" said the old
lady, land demand TO be taken before
the United States consul"
II will take you to the consulate"
said Maitland, provided your confed-
crate will consent to 60 with u.s."
The old lady persuaded the other wo-
man to make no objection, assuring her
that 1t was their best course. Maitland
called a carriage, and the three travel
ers entered, the policeman climbing 10
the box. On reaching the consulate
Maitland insisted that the Spanish wo-
man go in with them. He did not dare
leave her in the carriage. She seemed
indifferent about 1t, and the three went
in together. The consul being engaged
~ TIE TIME tucy NtiS piuNeu III tuo
waiting room.
While waiting. Maitland. facing the
old lady. scrutinized her What was
there that was familiar about her?
Suddenly-the Spanish woman's back
was turned-shc gave him smile.
He recognized his wife.
Rising. Julie went into the hall.
Maitland following her.
Don't worry" she said. "It's safe"
'WhereT
"In my corsage."
How did you come by itT
I've had II all the time. When !
handed you the cigar box in Washing
ton It contained dummy. / kept the
dispatch"
"Who opened my suit casep
"The woman in there"
How do you know"
IL saw plainly that she had been
sent to delay the delivery Of the dis
patch and. pretending that l was on
the same errand. won her confidence,
and we agreed to work together. Aft
er she found the envelope was not in |
your suit case she was sure you had
It on your person. You were very |
careless to leave your cigarettes in