The Spectator., 1915-05-21

rose, and in the summec twilight, when all the ports were opened, Hornby took me over the vessel As he was con ducting me from his own cabin to the boudoir we passed door that had been blown open by the wind, and which he hastened to close, not, how ever. before had time to glance with in. To my surprise I discovered that it was an armory crammed with rifles, revolvers and ammunition.
 It had not been intended that should see that interior, and the req son why the customs officers had been bribed was now apparent.
 l passed on without remark, making believe that l had not discerned any thing unusual, and we entered tue boudoir, Chatter having gone back to the saloon to obtain cigars
 The dainty little chamber bore everywhere the trace of having been arranged by woman's hand, although no lady passenger was on board.
 Just as we had entered, and l was admiring the dainty nest of luxury, Chatter shouted to his host asking for the keys of the cigar cupboard, and Hornby turned back along the gang way to hand them to his friend, leav- ing me alone for few moments.
 I stood glancing around. and as did so my eyes fell upon a quantity of photographs. framed and unframed, ah nf flty portraits of Hornby's friends Upon small side table, however, stood a heavy oxidized silver frame, but empty. while lying on the floor be- meath a couch was the photograph it had contained, which had apparently been taken hastily out, torn first in half and then in half again, and cast away.
 Curiosity prompted me to stoop, pick up the four pieces and place them together, when I found them to form the cabinet portrait of a sweetlooking and extremely pretty English girl of eighteen or nineteen, with a bright, smiling expression, and wearing a fresh morning blouse of white pique.
 About the expression of the pictured face was something which I cannot describe-a curious look in the eyes which was at the same time both at tractive and mysterious. In that brief moment the girls features were in delibly impressed upon my memory.
 l looked at the back of the torn ,~l, bol taken by a wellknown and fashionable firm in New Bond street
 Next second. however. hearing Hornby's returning footsteps. l flung the fragments hastily beneath the couch where had discovered them.
 Why, l wondered. had the picture been destroyed-and by whom?
 Afterwards on deck l purposely led the conversation to Hornby's family and learned from him that he had ro children.
 You'll get the repairs to your en- zines done at Orlando's. I suppose?" remarked. naming the great ship build ing firm of Leghorn.
 
 der. They are contracted to be fin. ished by next Thursday, and then we shall be off to Zante and Chio.'
 For what reason. wondered recol lecting that formidable armory on board. Already l had seen quite suf ficient to convince me that the Lola although outwardly a pleasure yacht was built of steel. armored in it's most vulnerable parts, and capable of re sisting a very sharp fire,
 It was past midnight when, having bade the strange pair adieu, l was put ashore by the two sailors who had rowed me out and drove home along the sea-front, puzzled and perplexed
 Next morning. on my arrival at the consulate, old Francesca, who had en tered only a moment before. met ma with blanched face, gasping:
 There have been thieves here ir the night, signore, The signore con sole's safe has been opened!"
 The slfe,- I cried, dashing into Hutchesons private room, and find Ing tO my ulSUdy the DIE Sdle, NueTe in the seals. ciphers and other con fidential documents were kept, stand ing open. and the contents in disorder as though hasty search had been made among them.
 Was it possible that the thieves had been after the admiralty and foreign office ciphers. copies of which the chancelleries of certain European powers were endeavoring to obtain? smiled within myself when l realized how bitterly disappointed the bur glars must have been. for British consul when he goes on leave to Eng land always takes his ciphers with him. and deposits them at the foreign office for safekeeping. Hutcheson had. of course, taken his. according to the regulations
 Curiously enough, however. the door of the consulate and the safe had been opened with the keys which my friend had left in my charge. Indeed. the small hunch still remained in fhe safe