The Washington herald., 1914-05-31

mitted finally. But why didn't you come to me
in the first place; why didn't you want to come
TO me when you were caught; what do you ex'
pect Ii to be done with you?
Il didn't come to you because the man who
acted interpreter is enemy of mine who
would do anything on earth to be rid of mel
mean Hugo Loubeque, the one who spoke with
the Chinese officer when they searched the boat.
They frightened me crept into the hold.
don't want him to know I am on board-he
mustn't know" She looked up into his face with
such confidence in her big, melting eyes that
the embarrassed man fdgetted more nervously
than ever.
II can pay for my passage when we land"
she added quickly. $50 there need be no worry
Relatives, OH" The captain heaved a sigh
Of relief and Lucille allowed his impression to
pass in silence. But I have no cabin vacant,
young lady"
Couldn't I do some work, be cabin boy or
something like that" she suggested vaguely, as
the ships master threw back his head and gave
vent to such laughter that tears rolled down his
weather beaten cheeks
That's a good one" he roared. "By George,
I believe that would straighten the whole mess
out and make me the master of the first boat
that has had a cabin boy since the old sailing
days. Young man., he added with mock gravity,
"Pll take you to my cabin now, where your
enemy will have no chance Of seeing you. The
steward will be the only one in our secret. He
can outfit you and pass his instructions regard
ing your duties at night"
Lucille clasped her hands delightedly, her
eyes twin stars of delight at the perfect work
ing out of her difficulties. She did not care that
the captain Knocked her regarding Loubeques
enmity, that he evidently thought her foolish,
tom-boy of girl, adventure-bent and addle-
pated Working at night there could be but
scant chance for Loubeque's recognizing her, II
he retained his secretive habits. and it was
usually at night time thatshe paced the deck and
left his cabin alone No position could more ade
quatey have given her an opportunity to search
the mans cabin for the stolen documents and
papers.
The thought Of IL fairly took away her
breath, was still all-dominant in her mind while
she listened to the stewards instructions, after
he had heard the story from the captain. She
saw Immediately that her position aboard was
little more than a jest of the ships master, for
che had little to do save bit of busting about
the saloons, keeping the main cabin In order
re-arranging the smoking saloon after it was
vacated by passengers and, in the event Of
storms keeping the captain on the bridge for
protracted stretches, fetching him hot tea. She
laughed with him at her position, was still
laughing when she showed herself before him
in a natty white duck suit, which made her
slender fragility apparent and more ap-
pealing than ever. She noticed the tender, half
pitying expression that always rested behind tho
twinkle in his laughing eyes when he regarded
her, noticed it and-for beneath her fair exterior
she was probably as desperate woman with as
desperate, all-absorbing mission as any woman
Hving-determined to play upon it continually.
That very evening she found the suite occu-
pied by the international spy. True to the habit
she had observed in him aboard the Empress,
Hugo Loubeque showed himself at night, not
long after the middle watch, his tall form
smothered in long ulster, the upturned collar
Of which concealed most of his features from
sight But, as Lucille nstinctively crouched
away before the grim figure of her enemy, she
noticed the bulldog grip with which he held the
cigar between his teeth its glowing end reveal
ing the flame in his deep set eyes. She knew the
tension under which he labored was probably
due to the disquieting news he had received at
fh< lnsk 5ino, hor
sick bed upon which he left her. But, despite her
fear, she cautiously followed him when he re-
turned to his stateroom, marking the exact iocar
ton 20 that she should not be mistaken
Every night at exactly the same time ne
came out upon the deck and, for two nighh
Lucille tried to bolster up her courage sumcient-
~ TO enter tho stateroom, but always the sound
OF that ominous, steady step on the deck dis.
suaded her. On the fourth night she felt herself
trembling with sub-consciou knowledge t1a& To-
night was to be the time when she made her
attempt. Consciously, she wss positive she could
not force herself to do it but something nun