The Washington herald., 1914-06-28

II was delayed, sir" the butler began spol-
ogetically, when Loubeque lifted his hand inn
peratively.
"You were delayed" coldly repeated the spy,
separating every syllable and melting it out as
though it were a death judgment. at is per-
haps better that you were delayed, Thompson. l
have Just received q letter from man with
whom you acquainted. In this letter, Thomp-
son, he informs me he intends turning traitor
to my interests, that he intends assisting Miss
Love to make her escape"
"Quite so, sir" murmured the butler-thief.
There are reasons he mentions for inducing
him to turn traitor to me which will not dis
cuss. However," he thumped his clenched fist
harshly upon the table, there is one paragraph
which will be of absorbing interest to you. l am
informed by him that he spied upon you while
you cut through the bars of Miss Loves window"
Thompson did not stir. His face retained its
expression of dignifed calm. But Lucille saw
the scar go a sickly white.
The man lied, sir"
Men do not lie at such moments"
For just moment Thompson silent
The hush upon the room was profound as to
make the ticking of Loubeques watch strike
upon the ears like mallet strokes. Slowly the
buffers index finger moved to the scar b ION his
cheek. There was dignity about the gesture
about his manner which made the girl hold her
breath, so convincing it was.
THE man you speak of evidently did the
work in the hope of releasing Miss Love. He
ceeded in that design. I do not wish to speak
Of it, sir, but this scar upon my face is fresh
had it not been for the subjects being brought
up. l gained this scar while trying to prevent
the fight, sir"
Its lie," Lucille burst forth passionately,
meeting the steady calm stare of the butler with
eyes that carried such fame he averted his own.
Loubeque looked up sharply. For some rea-
son he had felt that the excuse, plausible though
it was, carried truth. He knew the man, for
a thief and had always mistrusted him, even
though he had found him remarkably efficient
and capable of great things. He looked curiously
at the girl.
"A lie?" he murmured
"A lie" she repeated. That man tried to rob
me here in this very house. That was why in
sisted upon a maid to me when took the
drug You put in the drink"
why did you not mention it at that time?"
The spy's tones were dubious.
Because did not wish you to know had
anything of such value about me-"
Value? You had no money when you left
Manila"
NO. But I obtained possession of a won
derful ruby necklace in the cavern of the jungle,
just before l was rescued by the filibuster But
that has nothing TO do with it. Thompson did
saw through the bars of my window and would
have succeeded in stealing the necklace a SEQ
ond time had it not been for the brave man who
appeared in the nick of time and shot him. He
helped me to escape because he knew 1 was not
safe there"
"A ruby necklace" Still Loubeoue was in
credulous.
Three nights ago when I boarded the train
for here, that man drugged me while l slept and
stole the necklace from about my throat. Then
he dropped out the window of his compartment
That is why he detained"
Loubeque fastened his cold eyes upon the
butler. The man had nerves steady as a rock
Only faint smile of pity for the girl who made
this charge played about the corners of his
mouth. Lucille studied the judge and culprit
earnestly. She could that Thompson was
beating down the spys belief in her story. After
all, it did sound ludicrous, unbelievable that she
should have such treasure upon her person.
Finally she saw that the butler had almost sue.
ceeded by his very silence. his physical attitude
In convincing his master of his innocence. Swift
as FASH without second thought, she darted
toward the thief. She had noticed his fingers
invountarily seek the right hand breast poeket
of his coat when she made her charge In one
swift movement she had ripped open the coat.
With the other hand she plunged toward the
place she knew the necklace to be.
At first Thompson taken off guard Then
he sprang back with a hoarse cry of rage and
alarm, forgetful of everything. The girl clung
to her hold like tigress. He grasped her wrist
roughly and thrust her reeling across the room
his eyes glaring as, with clenched fists he stared
at her while, dazed though she was by the vio-
lence of him, she held triumphantly in her hand
the gorgeously dazzling ruby necklace
Hugo Loubeque did not utter sound. did
not change expressions for one instant. Slowly,
with all the leisurely grace of some giant animal
he rose and stepped toward his minion. The fell
low crouched away from him, his eyes darting
furtively hither and thither about the room,
seeking some means of escape. The hands of
Loubeque opened and closed Closer, closer he
came.
The cold expression in his eyes had turned
to one of grim ferocity, such an expression as
made Lucille shudder. Her rage against the
cringing thief disappeared in the desire she felt
to save him from those terribly hungry hands.
Thompson seemed hypnotized, fascinated. unable
to lift his hands for defense to open his lips for
pleading. The fingers reached out and pripped
him about the throat. pressing-pressing-
Not hurriedly but with cold, definite mur-
derous purpose the spy slowly forced the strug-
Cling figure into limpness then cast him from
him without apparently making the slightest ef-
fort, rubbing his palms slowly together as though
the touch had defled them.
Lucille chilled with horror as she
watched the spy reseat himself his face calm
and emotioness. Apparently he had quite for
gotten the huddled, silent figure upon the floor,
whose blackened face slowly regaining its
color. Apparently it was of the methods he
1sed to inspire confidence in the men under him
who possessed uncomfortable traits such as the
buffers zest for thieving. which came in useful
to his master at times Thompson was groanirg
when Loubeque impatiently pressed button and
waited for answer.
1t came even before he expected loud
,langing of bells through the house punctuated
he silence, a changing that pierced through the
reble sound of the door bell Hugo LoIfbeuue
prang to his feet swiftly, the mask of his face
iropped and showing that face keen eager, bit
oerturbed.
He sprang to the window, crouchinp behind