Arizona republican., 1914-08-07

woman under the couch and squatted in the woman's place just as the door opened and head poked inside She mumbled something narticuate, guttural, peevish-voiced, and the head was withdrawn after the owner cast one glance at the figure under the blankets. He had no sooner closed the door than the girl picked the knife from the floor and ripped the blanket into strips, securely tying her prisoner and gag ging him. She barely finished before low moan from the wounded woman made her hurriedy drag her victim from under the couch. great of compassion swept her at sight of her work, necessary though it had been, compassion which died before the malevolent glare in the eyes fastened upon her Examining the wound she discovered it to be but superficial and bound and gagged her then bundled her back.
 Then after waiting second at the door mastering her courage she stepped into the hall way and down. into the open air. Strangely enough she felt the reaction coming upon her once outdoors, a chill that shook her from head to foot and seemed unwilling to loosen it's grip
 It was the sight of the ocean that drove it from her, the she recalled as so much more terrible and remorSeless than anything she had ever even dreamed of. It braced her against the chill that threatened to send her back into the place from which she had just escaped. She shrugged her shoulders and marched stead ilv down the foul-smelling dirty little street un- til she glimpsed building taller than any others surrounding it and decorated with gorgeousness of elaboration which made her for get everything admiration for the skill and patience expended in such work. Closer nspec- tion showed that the bottom part of the house had barred windows and she shuddered at thought of the narrow escape she had had from being placed behind just such bars herself. Be fore the door stood closed palanquin, evidently the vehicle for parsonage of great consequence from the rich silk robes that Overf1owed the sides Lucille laughed at the involuntary surge of longing to hide herself within that mass of robes, but the laugh died away in her throat, was choked fairly at birth by the hoarse whisper of her own name. She looked about her, fearful that her illness had not deserted her completely, that she must be delirious.
 'Luciller'
 This time she knew she had made no mis- take. She even identified the direction from which the voice came But surely nobody save Hugo Loubeque knew her in this place. and Hugo Loubeque-
 Something small and compact fell at her feet and she stared at it wonderingly, incredu- lously recognizing it for the diary of Hugo Lou beque, the international spy. The sound of a clos ing door made her hurriedly snatch it from the ground and conceal it beside the ruby necklace Then she shrank back against the side or the house, eyeiEg the pOrtly, sallow-faced Chlnaman who came slowly and ma iesticay toward her.
 Evidently the owner of the palanquin, a per sonage of great circumstance from his dwelling and personal attire, she judged. Her fingers pressed against the diary and encountered the rubies The touch of them gave her a swift idea and she cautiously drew the necklace from about her neck, detaching one from the strand and knottine the stout hair wire none should es- cape because of the loosening. She looked at the pigeon-bood a moment, recalling her fathers contemptuous sentence regarding the corrupti- bilitv of the Chinese noble then advanced to- ward the man, just he reached out to enter his vehicle.
 His face wag impressive as he stared blanily at her. She gesticulated did everything to make him understand what she desired but by no sign did he signify that he understood Finally ln desperation she held out the ruby to him, eager ly watching the change of expression that crossed his face as he turned it over and over in his fingers His eyes were fairly glowing when he lifted them once more and met hers, noddlng as she moved toward the palanquu and stepped inside secreting herself under the silk robes and burrowing to one corner while the owner entered.
 Her thoughts riot during that trip. Where had the diary of the spy come from: Surely not Loubeque. yet no one but Lonbeque was familiar with her name. It had been a prisoner. prisoner
 Wetherell or someone of his crew. They had possession of the diary and the precious papers Rut why confined? What could it all mean? She racled her brain for an answer, was so absorbed in the puzzle that she did not notice the palaT- ouin had halted. did not notice until she hearu Il, familiar voice chatting with the owner ln Chinese But she would have recognized that voice in any quarter of the globe, would nave