River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-10-22

Then the necklace l sold must have
been stolen"' be finally cried, his eyes
flashing vindictively.
..Sold-this necklace soId-who bought
it,"
"A Hugo LoubeQue never heard of
millionaire by such name, but be had
Gne two hundred thousand to buy it.
and let it 20"
Hugo Loubequer' Gibson grasped
the amazed man by the shoulders and
fairly shook answers from him
Dick Gibson rushed from the estab-
lishment finally. an idea in his head
which he cursed himself for not having
thought Of before-the house where
he had last seen Lucille. Might not.
I was not. this mysterious Loubeque the
one whose hand he had seen dragging
her from the window?
Breathlessly he darted up to the door
and. finding the lock still unrepaired
dashed inside and up the stairs
Suddenly he stopped, halted abruptly.
He could hear no sound. yet was posi-
tive some one was close to him, that he
was being watched.
You wished to see me, STRIP
Silent and suave. his greet. brooding
eyes holding a light of melancholy and
sorrow such as the young officer had
never witnessed before, appearing as if
by magic and now facing him, was
| Hugo LOubeque.
''Loubeque"- he stammered.
The international spy bowed gravely
his eyes still fastened upon the young
man before him.
And as his eyes sought the carpet,
away from the magnetic power of the
man. all the rage returned to the young
| officer This man was the one who
had taken his sweetheart. His eyes
| roved the room, lighting upon a pair Of
| broadswords crossed upon the wall. He
caught the smile on the spy's face
when he looked again at him and knew
his thoughts had been read.
What have you done with Lucille
Love?' he cried
Miss Love-" murmured Loubeque,
his voice taking on a signing note that
fairly tortured the listeners ears
Miss Love is on a warship bound for
Washington, | believe"
You know a man was murdered in
her suit-that she was arrested as a
hotel sneak thief?"
Miss Love has been through many
more trying situations than that" an
swered LoubeQue slowly, ''since she
pitted herself against me-
'Pitted herself against you. Then
it was you who stole the papers,
'Quite So" Hugo Loubeque turned
upon his heel. but the iron grip Of the
officer was upon his shoulder, whirling
him about 50 that their faces met
Like panther Gibson leaped across
the floor, Selling the broadsWOrds.
Easily, by wrist alone. Loubeque
played with the man. His eye held no
expression save that Of one looking
very far away, sad. mournful, distant.
That look of Indifference only served
to madden Gibson doubly.
Furiously he lunged, when suddenly
| the blade Of his adversary whirled.
sending out scores of scintillating
lights as it danced in the air above
his head. He fell back as from blow.
his wrist numbed and deadened by the
| wrench that had carried the handle of
| the heavy sword from his grasp. Hugo
Loubeque had dropped his own blade
to the floor and was studying him
quietly, no glimmer in his eyes Gibson
glared over his head The sword was
still swaying from side to side from
the fury with which it had been driven
into the low hanging wooden beam
| overhead. Instincdvely his hand reach
ed to recover his weapon when Lou
beque laid a hand Of iron upon his
shoulder.
THAT will do" he cried sternly ''Be
man, sir. Again that mellowed light
drove the light Of anger from his eyes
His lips opened and the voice of him
was little more than a sigh; "such a
man as Miss Lucille Love deserves
Gibson looked at him. startled,
aghast. Once more Loubeque would
have spoken when. from below stairs.
came the shrill screech of a police
mans whistle, followed almost in
stantly by a rush Of feet upon the
stairs.
The spy's right hand moved along
the desk. picking up a small ivory box,
exquisitely carved. which he handed
to Gibson.
You will kindly give this to-Lu-
cille-with my compliments and felici-
tations." he murmured.
Gibson stared at him. wondering at
the lack of emotion on his face in this
moment OF peril. Slowly, steadily Lou
beque stepped backward. Then sud
denly yawning panel stood beside
him. He stood III the cavity a second.
smiling as the door burst open, and
Sergeant Daily, followed by a squad of
officers, lurched into the room.
That's him." Days shout turned
into a wild yelp of terror. as the room
shot from under the feet of the oc-
cupants and they found themselves
;,1+ E,o I, z