The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1914-12-31

back from his teeth. giving him the ex-
/ preston OF an angry mUngra dog.
And you thought to play with me!'
Louheque murmured wonderingly.
more to himself than to his captive.
The man who knows me better than
any one else Thought to catch Loubeque
sleeping. You dared come near me
after the second affair. Ii but had
the time should strangle you with
these hands. They itch for the feel
OF your throat once more have a
little favor to ask YOU
The thief growled something mar
ticulate. and his eyes gIittered ven
omously as be fastened them upon the
toes of his boots.
Nov, Thompson, just step to the
telephone and cali up the desk down
stairs. He made significant little
gesture with the revolver in his hand.
and the man hurriedly took down the
receiver. his face 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
downstairs"
The receiver dropped gathering from
the thief's hand. Loubeque waved the
automatic quietly toward 1t and. as the
pitiful eyes Of his former servant met
his own. they read no pity there-noth-
ing save cold. vindictive intent. The
trembling hand took up the receiver
once more and, word for word. trans
mitted the message as it fell like icy
particles from the spy's lips. Then
Thompson whirled toward him.
Turn me over. will you! Well, listen
TO what's coming to you when you do
1t. | know thing or two
"You know too much" smiled the
lspy coOlly. "rhat is exactly the reason
am disposing or
And ! know about her," The thiefs
hand waved toward the corridor.
Maybe ] can't tell thing or two
about you and her. What's she doing
what's the reason she got on the
Empress and stuck TO you ever since
The revolver slapped against the OBJ.
posite wall as I.oubeque hurled it at
the mans head. following it with his
dying body. his frame crashing the
man to the 6oor. his fingers cropping
for the vile mouth that spluttered on
Il amt saying as what you and me
know-Im saying as what can tell
and what it'll look like. what'-
Loubeque turned his head suddenly.
his ears fairly peaked with the eager
ness of his listening The rattle Of the
elevator outside reached his ears He
sprang to his feet. dragging the butler
after him.
I'VE must get out" he breathed
hoarsely. I'VE must away before they
come. Tll-I'lI kill yon-for this
Swiftly the pair daIted through the
door and down the hall Loubeque
hurriedly twisted the knob TO Lucille's
door. 1t flung open. With "A gasping
sob Of relief he dragged Thompson
after him and slapped the door shut.
maintaining his hold meantime.
"And that is what you would say
would tell?" His voice was not harsh.
not even indignant. merely curious.
That's whatr' Thompson straight
ened, a touch Of braggadocio about his
very figure
Slowly. inexorably. the fingers OF
Hugo Loubeque reached out and grasp
ed the mans wrists. Slowly. inexora-
bly,. he pressed the cold metal of the
automatic iron into the useless palm.
Slowly, inexorably. that weapon bear
ing hand was lifted. lifted until It
pressed against the blueing lips OF the
thief. then stopped. Loubeque's voice
was soft. purring. soothing.
Open the teeth. my old friend
open them or TIL knock them out. Put
the gun inside your mouth. It's sim
ple-only a second-then a longer trip
than you've ever taken before. Don't
ight-it's useless-you should know
that. Surely you won't resist and
make it hard for your master. Just
think-if you don't--I might be called
"a murderer-while-if you follow in
tructions-it's-jus
With every syllable be rendered the
wrists Of the struggling man more fee
Bile, forced the steel muzzle Of the gun
more and more harshly against the
tender gums. As he pronounced his
final Judgment. the Judgment he hoped
would prove that of coroner, the
muffied shot beat against the walls of
the room. Thompson writhed. then
Strengthened. Loubeque held tightly
to the wrists until rigor mortis grip
ped them about the weapon.
AS Lucille stood in the doorway Of
Loubeques room. her eyes always
keenly suspicious TO the slightest tribe
when about the man. observing that
as he talked with her his eyes were
fastened upon the gIoved hand. In
stantly II had struck her e. etrangs he
should wear q giovS ID bic rcolfs Then