The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1915-02-25
CHAPTER XIII.

h before she found herself upon the
street with the jeWeler who had
Il rushed to her assistance and, aft
er 4 short conference with the officers
and detectives, had arranged her re
lease. personally agreeing to produce
her when desired.
IF you know Loubeque has the pa
pers," he demanded. why don't You
to rescue them
Lucille smiled family at his COM
monplace advice. realizing the absolute
impossibility of impressing anyone
with the power of her enemy. And
she must hurry to the mysterious
house where Ensign Howell was to
call at $50. even rs she thanked her
friend. bidding him goodby ut the door
OF her mOtorcar.
Hurriedly she searched the streets
for the mysterious residence of Hugo
Ioubeque. She had ten minutes leeWay
before the ensign was due to call
ample opportunity if she had not for
gotten any details OF the message. The
house was vacant. Just rs she had
thought it would be. for Loubeque
would never trust himself for a long
time to the place that had once been
raided. 1t would suffice for this short
bit OF business-that vas all.
She let herself easily in by the door,
the smashed lock Of the raidinG party
never having been replaced. Swiftly
she rushed through the familiar rooms.
III the desk drawer Of the spy she
found q medium sized automatic. the
silencer still fastened Oh it. The front
door bell changed.
-Ehc last act in the play was about to
be begun. Ensign Howell was at the
door, unless the SPY had detected her
trick in tampering with the message
Of The carrier pigeon.
Her right hand, which had been
clasping the revolver concealed beneath
Her coat, Unclasped, and a sigh of
obvious relief came from her lips as
she opened the door to greet Il young
ensign in uniform. she did not cutie
know what she would have done had
1t been Loubeque.
Ensign HoveII?' she murmured.
flushing prettily at the admiration and
astonishment on the officers face at
being greeted by such vision. L am
very sorry" she murmured hurriedly,
as he started to enter. 'sbut Mr.. Lou
bequo was obliged to leave hurriadly.
He left word that he would surely he
at any place convenient after SIS"
ANY place convenient" Tie off
GERS tones We're more Of surprise than
yeEatiOn.
THAT is she hesitated, "Where It
would be convenient for q cutter or
boat OF some sort to take him t. the
Terror. That matter is Of such inpor-
lance he does not care-that is
The young man straightened himself.
his lace wearing an expression Of
wounded dignity. lucille heayed a
sigh OF relief
That is quite Mr.. Loubeques priv
leGe,' he snapped. Il shall write tie
address on Il card where the cutter Will
lie so there can be no further mistake
Lucille accepted the card ncelieently,
holding her eyes averted that he might
not read the ecstasy that fairly flooded,
them. She watched his ruler STRAIGHT
back as it disappeared down the street,
then ciasped the card feverishIv 10 her
breast. The first move had been lna;le
ana she had more than taken the hon
ofs. High hope beat in her heart be.
cause OF the little victory. She snapped
her teeth tightly shut. Yes, the papers
would be taken aboard the Terror, ln1t
hot by Hugo Ioubcque. Neither would
there be any affidavit via them FROM
the arch spy. She was ready for any.
thing now.
Laggard time for once few while sle
waited the long interval that was tC
elapse before the arrival of the SOY
Lucille found once more the TUNE
through which she had been led. founJ
mysterious passages and explored them
studied out the position she would be
IN when she completed her work witt
tie enemy who was to come
a step sounded overhead, slow. meas
ured, methodical. She pressed clos,
against the switchboard to the house
OF mystery, the cnanation OF til,
mysteries. Her fingers trembled SLIGHT
~. The feet moved up the stairs She
waited, fingers outstretched toward {
little ivory button. The cool surfac,
kissed the finger pad. the pad upo,
which depended tile honor of fathe
and sweetheart, which spelled home
life, love to her
Hugo Ioubeque moved slowly to hi
private Office on tie second floor IL
shlVered slightly rs he went up tn
stairs. Ghosts We're in the house
ghost memories that he was about t
STAY finally and forever.
He seated himself 1t hi, desk t.
wait, wandering Off in a day dream
OF pleasanter memories. Iuciilc-hoy
her very presence here had made til
place bearabe. He took the preciol
packet of stolen papers from bis poke
The sweet he had longed for wa
his now and vet it was not sweet.
He slapped his fist heavily upon til
table, cursing himself for fool tina
such thoughts should oppress him.
What allied the ensign that he Iii
not come: It was past the tine II,
pointed. That was most uuusual. II
strobe nefvously up and down ii
floor Suddenly the floor gave W.,
violently beneath him. flashed Cow
with lightning speed, bringing up apo
the basement floor with such violen{
that everything in the room was Owe
turned, while lie himself las ha
stunned against :hQ table