The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-15
(Continued.l

(Continued.l
 ! Came a little groan, a tremor rum ming through the walls of the room. Looking up she could see solid steel walls passing into place where the room she was in had been. Merely a cage-an elevator had been the bou- do1r where she was a captive. The machinery stopped working abruptly. , She peered over the edge of the room. for she was merely standing on q nat surface so far as one side was con- cerned. To her ears came the insist ent ringing of bell. 4 huddIed, black mass showed almost beneath her. Crouching upon the floor she leaned over and gfngerly groped at 1t with her fingers, drawing them sharply back as they encountered human deah.
 For just second she faltered before investigating her discovery. LoubeQue must havescome from her room in this fashion. It might be that in some way Loubeuue had fallen and injured the machinery. To stoop down, take the papers from his pocket and hide them between the crack Of the floor of the room and the bottom Of the elevator was the work of an instant
 As the room glided gently into place without so much as a tremor she leap ed down and lifted the grooming mans head to her lap. She had come barely in time. for the spy was struggling feebly to get to his feet He smiled ruefuIly as be lighted match and scanned the features of his companion For second he appeared dazed. then swift consternation crossed his face as his hand shot toward the place where he had placed the stolen papers.
 Come he said quietly. his tones silky, yet dry and cold and hard s.come, young lady. Of course you un- derstand the papers will be found, and this is merely delaying the inevitable" !"
 He did not wait for her to speak, merely touched her arm and assisted her to the platform. He stirred slight ly. Came the whir of machinery. ale most immediately shut ont Once more the room was in motion. going upward this time. She closed her eyes instinctively before the mystery of 1t all. When she opened them once more she was in the place she had left. Everything was as it had been save for a broken window pane and the presence of LoubeQue.
 He regarded her narrowly, still
 
 as though to speak. then closed them sharply and stepped to the door, listen ing moment. then ringing bell. which was almost immediately an- swered by the butler and the woman who had first captured the girl.
 Hurriedly Thompson explained what had happened-the pebble wrapped . strip of white paper which the man outside had picked up. the manner in which he had mysteriously disappear ed, eluding the buffers pursuit. the ad- mission of policemen to the house and the throwing of the spring that lower ed the girls room to the basement
 ''And he got out of the way. eh P Loubeque frowned thoughtfully. then laughed dry. barking laugh as he turned to the girl. And with all this luck working for you, Miss Lucille, you see now how impossible it is 10 escape. Now I shall leave you alone to reflect upon ethe advisability Of re- storing the packet to me. Until then you will not be disturbed even by a servant. You may recall, my child. that thirst is very unpleasant tor ture.''
 He closed the door behind him very softly. Not a sound came from with
 
 in this prison, this prison so much un- like prison that it was rendered only the more hideous thereby. And even though outsiders knew she was being detained here they could not find her. could not even secure adequate evil dence that she was here did they make an examination. She flung herself upon the bed, burying her face in her hands and giving way to sobs.
 She straightened startled by faint tinkle against the window pane. Swift Iy she approached the window. Upon the street no one was in sight. She looked up and espied the face of the captain peering cautiously from over the brick wall above her
 Feverisfly she ripped at the netting which had been within the glass be- fore she broke it. Carefully she drew the glass inside and laid 1t upon the floor. The netting gave slightly She tore her hands opening the space until she could get her shoulders through. Slowly, round and round. she worked the opening. It was finally. wide enough. She looked up. The captain nodded briefly, then disappeared.
 In emoment he reappeared. slowly dangling heavy rope from which he had made a 1ooped chair. Lucille edged her way slowly through the opening She stood upon the heavy sill outside, hanging to the netting with one hand the while she reached for the rope with the other. The second time her fingers closed about it. Swiftly she tucked it about her skirts. then drew taut. Her feet swung clear o1