Graham guardian., 1911-08-25

Wlsulu arm lenStn Oh MIN.
He mapped In his berth and read a
novel which he had brought with him
during the afternoon and evening, not
leaving his stateroom. The next morn
ing he passed on deck. He expected
every moment that some man would
attempt to make his acquaintance. No
| man did. but very pretty young wo-
man sitting In steamer chair looked
at him as he passed her and cast down
Der 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
person or persons shadowing him. But
on the second day out an old lady with
very white hair came up the compan-
ionway and looked about for seat.
The ship was rolling. and Maitland,
taking hold of her arm. supported her
TO steamer chair. She thanked him,
but he would have nothing to do with
her. Surely he had reason to suspect
every one. The cid lady besides thank
.ag him made some commonplace re-
mark. to which ii would have been po-
lite for him to respond. but he turned
from her as though she had some In
fictitious disease.
Several times after that he surveyed
her from a distance and noticed that
she looked very peculiar. Indeed, after
scrutinizing her one afternoon as she
sat doing In her steamer chair 1t oc-
Cured to him that she was a 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 coniidentially he made
up his mind that they had been sent
out from Washington to 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 TO his sta.eroom, took
the dispatch from his pocket and look
ed ut 1t. He felt very happy, IL he
had got 1t so fur on the journey despite
those who were trying to get II from
him surely he could do what little re-
mained. Replacing 1t, he picked M his
cigarette case, which he had left OH u
shelf, lighted 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 moancd.
Starting up, he staggered out and on
to the deck. No one had gone ashorc
a last hope occurred to him. He WV,id
have the two women arrested Oh =
trumpcd WI charge. There they vera
near the companonway, He rN,la!
forward and, seeing 4 palireman on
the dock, beckoned ia him. The man
met him ON the compapiopway, and
Maitland, slipping u ten dollar bill into
his hnnd, told him that there were two
women thieves on board who had rob-
bed him. When the women e..tnel
the dock they were taken into custody.
They made II great ado ut their arrest,
asserting their innocence.
II am an American" said the old
lady. land demand to be- taken before
the United States censnl.a
ri will take You 10 the consulate"
said Maitland. provided Your confed-
crate will consent to go with us."
The old lady persuaded the other wo
man to make no objection. assuring her
that II was their best course. Maitland
called a carriage, and the three travel
ers entered. the policeman climbing to
the box. On reaching the consI!atS
Maitland Insisted that the Snanish wo-
imam go In with them. He did not dare
leave her in the carriage. She seemed
Indifferent about it, and the three went
in together. The consul being engaged
at the time they were placed in the
waiting room.
While waiting. Maitland, facing the
old lady, scrutinized her What was
there that was familiar about her?
Suddenly-the Spanish womans back
was turned-she gave him q smile,
He recognized his wife,
Rising, Julie went into the hall,
Maitland following her.
Don't worry" she said. cts safe"
''Where?"
I'm my corsage."
"How did you come by itY'
give had 1t all the time. When I
handed yoY the cigas i'ox IN Washing
ION It contained a dummy. kept the
dispatch"
"Wbo opened my suit caseY'
1.-THE woman in there"
Glow do you knpY}"
~ aaw plainly that she had been
sent TO delay the delivery Of the dis
patch and, pretending that ! was Oh
the same errand, won her confidence,
and we agreed to work together. Ace
er she found the env" ''-.. -. =,
your l.-S' >.ope was not In
suit case she was sure you had
1t on your person. You were very
careless to leave your cigarettes in
your stateroom. She picked the lock
with a skeleton key, went in and re-
placed your cigarettes with those that
had been drugged. When you were
asleep she robbed you"
"And the dummy What did she say
when she discovered thatg