Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1915-05-21

After dessert had been served we
rose. and in the summer twilight. when
all the ports were opened, Hornby took
me over the vessel. As he was con-
Quoting me from his own cabin to the
boudoir we passed door that had
been blown open by the wind. and
which he fastened to Close. not, how.
ever. before had time to glance with.
In. To my surprise l discovered that
1t was an armory crammed with rifles,
revolvers and ammunition.
1t had not been intended that 1
should see that interior. and the rea-
son why the customs officers had been
bribed was now apparent
passed on withou: remark, making
believe that had not discerned any
thing unusual, and we entered the
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
Horribly turned back along the gang
way to hand them to his friend. leav-
ing me alone for few moments
stood glancing around, and as
did so my eyes fell upon a quantity of
photographs. framed and unframed,
that were scattered enthusiastically
portraits of Hornby's friends. Upon
a small side table. however. stood a
heavy oxidized silver frame. but
empty. while lying on the floor be-
meath couch was the photograph 1t
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 l found them to form
the cabinet portrait of a sweet-looking
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 cannot
describe 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.
| looked at the back of the torn
photograph, and saw that 1t had been
taken by wellknown and fashionable
firm in New Bond street.
Next second. however. hearing
Hornby's returning footsteps. / flung
the fragments hastily beneath the
couch where had discovered them. 49,
Why, wondered. had the picture
been destroyed-and by whom?
Afterwards on deck purposely led
the conversation to Hornby's family,
and learned. from him that he had no
children.
you'll get the repairs to your en-
gines done at Orlando's, suppose?" I
remarked, naming the great shipbuild.
ing firm of Leghorn.
Yes. have already given the or.
der. They are contracted to be fin.
ished by next Thursday, and then we
shall be off to Zante and Chic"
For what reason, wondered. recol.
lecting that formidable armory on
board. Already l had seen quite sui.
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 very sharp fire,
1t was past midnight when, having
bade the strange pair adieu. 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 moment before. met me
with blanched face, gasping:
There have been thieves here in
the night, signore! The signore con
sole's safe has been opened"
THE safe!" cried. dashing into
Hutcheson's private room, and find
ing to my dismay the big safe. where
in the seals. ciphers and other con-
hdent1al documents were kept, stand
ing open, and the contents in disorder,
as though a 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 I 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. Hutchinson
had, of course, taken his. according to
the regulations.
Curiously enough, however. the door