The Washington herald., 1914-07-12

laugned the spy, frank pleasure on his counten-
ance. "ls it walk you planned-tea-?"
"An invitation to luncheon" she returned,
"and I wonder if it would be too much to ask
of you to see that they give me a good machine
for the Afternoon"
"I'n 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 was 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 oftsuch things. He bowed and repeated the
hour of their engagement she tripped down
the hall, 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 even though his back
turned from that entrance.
Hour dragged upon the heel of hour, chased
each other out the room as though frightened of
the silent, motionless figure at the table. Hugo
Loubeque took no account of time save to make
the most of it when action necessary and to
throttle it when delay seemed best suited to his
purpose. Slowly the grey head of the man swayed
from side to side. He caught himself abruptly
Again his head sank toward his chest, this time
to remain there. Apparently LoubeqQe slept as
he did everything else, soundly vet with the least
possible amount of effort.
The portieres swayed more and more heavily
Grew the outlines of a 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 no
sound. So soft his football it seemed he might
have walked across the strings of a musical in
strument without sigh ripping from them.
a stem at inns he adv
The hate had left his eyes, for there was no time
for hate when bent business. Almost close
enough to reach out and rest 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 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 1t there or shall be obliged to shoot and
the place"
The butler-thiefs upper lip curIed back from
his teeth, giving him the expression of an angry
mongrel dog. All the servile polteness had dis
appeared from his manner and his soul Law bare
upon his face-the soul of hyena with the heart
of fox.
"And you thought to play with me-" Lou
beque mIrmured wonderingly. 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
the second affair"
Thompson seemed to gain a bit of courage
from the mans tone. Indeed, underlying the
words, was 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.
"No, no, my dear Thompson. Don't think I
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 no fault of
my own. have a little favor to ask you"
The thief growled something inarticulate but
Loubeque smiled his mockery of honest mirth
once more, taking the delight of a cat in playing
with the it has captured and frightened
into partial inanition?
You must pity since you think I 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.
Certainly you do and that is pleasing to an
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 a pasty yellow.
Say there is a hotel sneak thief in Mr.
Loubeque's apartment waiting TO be arrested. Mr.
Loubeque 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
quietly toward it and, the pitiful eyes of his
former servant met his own, they read no pity
there, nothing save cold vindictive intent The
trembling hand took up the receiver once more
and, word by word, transmitted the message as
it fell like icy particles from the spy's 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, unquenchable fury.
Turn me over, will youI We'll, listen to what's
coming to you when you do it. know thing
or two"
''You know too much" smiled the spy cooIly
That Is exactly the reason 1 am disposing of"
And l know about her." the thiefs hand
waved toward the corridor. Maybe 1 can't tell
thing or two about you and her. What's she
doing here-whats the reason 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 fng gers cropping for
the vile mouth that spluttered on.
Il amt saying as what you and me know
I'm saying as what tell and what it'll
look like. What"
Loubeque turned his head suddenly his ears
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 hoarsely. I'VE
must get away before they come rll-Iu kill