Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-07-13

laughed the spy, frank pleasure on his counten-
ance: rs it walk you planned-tea-?"
AN invitation to luncheon" she returned,
"and 1 wonder if it would be too much to ask
of you to see that they give me good machine
for the Afternoon"
III 'phone,' he responded, hardening Instant
ly at the shadow of displeasure that crossed her
face Evidently she wished to be rid of him. He
smiled to think of how close the game to
being finished. Somehow, he could not get any
acute pleasure out of it he looked at this
smiling girl and realized that precious few would
be the smiles upon that face after he had finished.
But pshaw Why would his mind persist in think
ing of such things. He bowed and repeated the
hour of their engagement as she tripped down
the hail. then resumed his seat at the table
From drawer there he took small, thin
mirror which he slipped swiftly into the flap of
his glove, then placed the glove upon his hand.
grim expression on his face he leaned
back in his chair once more his eyes fastened
upon the entrance to the bedroom revealed to
him in the mirror though his back
turned from that entrance.
Hour dragged upon the heel of hour, chased
each other out the room though frightened of
the silent, motionless figure at the table Hugo
Loubeque took no account of time to make
the most of it when action was necessary and to
throttle it when delay seemed best suited to his
purpose. Slowly the grey head of the swayed
from side to side. He caught himself abruptly.
Again his head sank toward his chest this time
to remain there. Apparently Loubeque slept as
he did everything else soundy, vet with the least
possible amount of effort.
The portieres swayed more and more heavily.
Grew the outlines or q human face against the
smooth velvet. Through the opening crept pair
of furtive eyes. Slowly, slowly, the face of
Thompson showed. He did not bother to look at
the slumberer Before revealed himself he had
made sure that his old master slept soundly.
Swift certain sure, he moved beyond the curtains.
The thief who had been selected by the arch-spy
to attend to his most important plan made
sound. So soft his football it seemed he might
have walked across the strings of a musical in
strument without sigh ripping from them.
Closer, closer, a step at time he advanced.
The hate had left his eyes, for there was time
for hate when bent business. Almost close
enough to reach out and rest a hand upon Lou
beque's shoulder he was when Ne halted, his
mouth dropping ludicrously open, his feet ap-
parently gummed to the carpet his fingers twitch-
ing uncertainty his eyes fastened in amaze at
his own face as it stared back at him from the
tiny mirror in the gloved hand of Hugo Loubeque.
AS he recovered, his hand darting swiftly to-
ward his pocket, the sinister laughter of his mas
ter broke the silence
Keep the hand in the pocket Thompson.
Keep it there I shall be obliged to shoot and
the place."
The butler-thief's upper lip curled back from
his teeth, giving him the expression of angry
mongrel dog. All the servile politeness had dis
appeared from his manner and his soul lay bare
upon his face-the soul of hyena with the heart
of fox.
"And you thought to play with me-" Lou
beque murmured wonderingy, more to himself
than to his captive. "The man who knows me
better than anyone else thought to catch Lou
beque sleeping. You dared come near me after
Thompson seemed to gain a bit of courage
from the mans tone. Indeed, underlying the
words, was a self reproach, query, a bedazzle
ment that he knew Hugo Loubeque had never felt
before. His hand started to creep from the pocket
of his coat but emphatic, little gesture of the
spy's with the tiny automatic in his palm para
lyzed those clever fingers.
mo, no, my dear Thompson. Don't think
am getting old If I but had the time I should
strangle you with these hands. They itch for the
feel of your throat once more. Remember the job
was not completed properly through fault of
my own. I have little favor to ask you"
The thief growled something inarticuate but
Loubeque smiled his mockery of an honest mirth
once more, taking the delight of cat in playing
with the mouse it has captured and frightened
into partial inanition?
"You must pity me since you think 1 have
grown feeble and old enough to continue to play
such pranks with me, don't you now, Thompson?"
The mans eyes glittered venomously as he
fastened them upon the toes of his boots, disdain-
ing to answer.
old man who is breaking. Now, Thompson, just
step to the telephone and call up the desk down
stairs" He made significant little gesture with
the revolver and the man hurriedly took down the
receiver, his face pasty yellow
"Say there is hotel sneak thief in Mr..
Loubeques apartment waiting to be arrested. Mr..
Ioubeque has no time to make charges now but
will return shortly or meet the procession down.
stairs"
The receiver dropped Gathering from the
thiefs hand. Loubeque waved the automatic
former servant met his own, they read no pity
there, nothing cold vindctive intent. The
trembling hand took up the receiver more
and, word by word, transmitted the message as
it fell like icy particles from the spys lips Then,
as though stung to uncomfortable rage by the
needless cruelty of his punishment, Thompson
whirled toward him, words falling from his lips
in hot, unquenchabe fury.
"Turn me over will you Well, listen to what's
coming to you when you do it: know thing
two"
"You know too much" smiled the spy coolly
THAT is exactly the reason 1 am disposing Of"
And know about her." the thiefs hand
waved toward the corridor. Maybe 1 can't tell
a thing or two about you and her. What's she
doing here-whats the she got on the
Empress and stuck to you ever since"
The revolver slapped against the opposite
wall as Loubeque hurled it at the mans head
following it with his flying body his frame crash.
ing the man to the floor, his fingers cropping for
the vile mouth that spluttered on.
81 amt saying what you and me know
I'm a saying as what I can tell and what it'll
look like. What"
Loubeque turned his head suddenly his earl
fairly peaked with the eagerness of his listening
The rattle of the elevator outside reached his
ears He sprang to his feet, dragging the butler
after him.
eve must get out" he breathed hoarselv eve