The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-28
DOMESTIC HELPS AND
 AIDS TO HOUSEWIVES
pression of an ane.y mongrel boz.


 "Ehe man who knows me better than Bny one else thought to catch Loubeque sleeping. You dared come near ma after the second affair. If l but had the time should strangle you with these hands. They itch for the feel of your throat once more l have a. little favor to ask you''-
 The thief Growled something inar- ticulate. and bis eyes glittered ven-s omously as he fastened them upon the toes of his boots.
 NOW, Thompson, just step to the telephone and call up the desk down stairs" He made significant little gesture with the revolver in bis hand and the man hurriedly took down the receiver, his face a pasty yellow.
 Say there is a hotel sneak thief in MT. Loubeque's apartment waiting to be arrested. MT. Loubeque has no time to make charges now, but will return shortly or meet the procession downstairs.
 The receiver dropped clattering from the thief's hand. Loubeque waved the automatic quietly toward it and, as the pitiful eyes of his former servant met his own, they read no pity there -nofh- 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 i 1t. I know a thing or two''
 You know too much,v smfled thep spy coolly. That is exactly the reason am disposing of''
 etAnd know about her" The fhief.a hand waved toward the corridor. Maybe can't tell thing Ss two about you and her. Whats she doing here-what's the reason she got oea tho Empress and stuck to you ever sines''-
 The revolver slapped against the op- posite wall as Loubeque hurled t at the mans head, following it with his flying body, his frame crashing tho man to the floor. his fingers gropinls for the vile mouth that spluttered on.
 sI ain't saying as what you and nc know-Tm 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.
 " MuSB &OJ DuLs uG DIEAAHGA hoarseIy. stWe must away before they come. FILTH kill you-for this''
 Swiftly the pair darted through the door and down the hall Loubeque hurr1edly twisted the knob to IlueiIle's door. It flung open. With a gasping sob of relief he dragged Thompson after him and slapped the door shut. mainta ming his hold meantime
 .sAnd that is what you would say would tell?'' His voice was not harsh, not even indignant. merely curious.
 That's whatp, Thompson straight ened, touch of braggadocio about his very figure.
 Slowly, inexorabIy. the fingers Of Hugo Loubeque reached out and grasp ed the mans wrists, Slowly. inexora- ply, he pressed the cold metal Of the automatic iron into the useless palm, Slowly, inexorably, that weapon bear ing hand was lifted lifted untH lt pressed against the bIueing lips of the thief, then stopped. Loubeque's voice was soft, purring, soothing.
 "Open the teeth, my old friend open them or I'll knock them outi Put the gun inside your mouth. It's sim pIe-only a second then longer trip than you've ever taken before. Don't ! fght-it's useless-you should know that. Surely you won't resist and < make it hard for your master. Juet think-if you don't--T might be called "a murderer-whi1e-if you follow in structions- it 's-j Ist-suicide''
 With every syllable he rendered the wrists of the struggling man more fee ble. forced the steel muzzIe 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 mufHed shot beat against the walls of the room. Thompson writhed. then straightened. 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 keenIy suspicious to the slightest trlne when about the man. observing that as he talked with her his eyes were fastened upon the gloved hand in stantIy it had struck her as strange he should wear a glove in his room. Then she caught the reflection of his eyes and saw the mirror flashing in that palm-the eyes of the man watching the curtains leading to his 6edeham- Der. They swayed slightly. Then ahs made her adieus. for she knew Lou beque was not alone.
 In her own room she paced the floor nervously. What did it mean? Some one had entered LoubeQue's room, was spying upon him, and the surreptitious presence had been discovered The tRsitor was under surveillance But who could that visitor be2 What was his motiye2
 Thompson-Gibson; Gibson-Thomp- son. Her sweetheart and the butler thief both might have motives for such an entry. That it related to the stolen papers she had no doubt. Suppose they were taken by some other just at this last moment? But the man behind the curtains had little if any chance