The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1915-02-25
loved, he had fought the battle out

with himself. coming to the conclusion
that there must be reasonable eXpla-
nation for her conduct. Sergeant DAILY
regarded him steadily moment. then
told him the reason for his wishing to
know everything. Gibson whirled upon
the manager, his face livid with rage,
fists clinched.
"And you had her arrested-you had
her. DAILY held the arm that was
about to strike, soothing him With
quieting words.
Gibson flung upon his heel and left
the hotel. black hatred. suspicion. fear,
/ a thousand and one emotions in his
heart. At the jewelers. his tale caused
she proprietor to almost have 4 stroke
Of apoplexy.
"a murdered man in her suit while
she was in the station house, he
gasped. "Then she WON'T He fairly
wept In the depths IF mis- emotions.
Then the necklace | sold must have
been stolen" he finally cried. his eyes
flashing vindictivcly.
"Sold-this necklace sold-who bought
it,"
"a Hugo Loubeque-never heard Of
millionaire by such name. but he had
the two hundred thousand to buy it.
and let it go.''
Hugo Loubequer' Gibson grasped
the amazed man by the shoulders and
fairly shook answers from him.
Dick Gibson rushed from the estab-
1ishment finally, an idea in his head
which he cursed himself for not having
thought Of befOre-the house where
he had last seen Lucille. Might not.
was not, this mysterious LoubeqIe the
one whose hand he had seen dragging
her from the window?
Breathlessly he darted up to the door
and. finding the lock still unrepaired
dashed inside and up the stairs.
! Suddenly he stopped. halted abruptly
He could hear no sound. yet was posi-
tive some one was close to him, that he
was being watched.
i You wished to see me, Sir?''
Silent and suave. his great, brooding
! eyes holding a light Of melancholy and
never witnessed before. appearing as if
by magic and now facing him, was
Hugo Loubeque.
| "LOubeQue"- he Stammered.
The international spy bowed gravely,
his eyes still fastened upon the young
man before him.
And rs his eyes sought the carpet.
away from the magnetic power of the
man, all the rage returned to the young
| officer. This man was the one who
had taken his sweetheart. His eyes
roved the room. lighting upon pair of
broadswords crossed upon the WALL He
caught the smile on the spys face
when he looked again at him and knew
his thoughts had been read.
What have you done with Lucill.
Love-" he cried.
Miss Love-" murmured Loubeuue.
his voice taking on a signing note tina,
fairly tortured the listeners ears
Miss Love is on Il warship bound for
Washington, l believe"
You know man was murdered in
her suit-that she was arrested as q
hotel sneak theft"
Miss Love has been through many
more trying situations than that an
swered Loubeque slowly. ''since she
pitted herself against me-"
'Pitted herself against you. Then
it was you who stole the papers,
Quite So" Hugo Loubeque turned
upon his heel. but the iron grip of the
officer was upon his shoulder. whirling
him about SO that their faces met.
Like panther Gibson leaped across
the floor, Selling the broadswords.
Easily. by wrist alone. Loubeque
played with the man. His eye held no
expression save that of one looking
very far away, sad. mournful. distant
That look of Indifference only served
to madden Gibson doubly.
Furlously he iunged, when suddenly
the blade Of his adversary whirled,
sending out scores Of scintillating
lights as it danced in the air above
his head. He fell back as from a blow.
his wrist numbed and deadened by the
wrench that had carried the handle of
the heavy sword from his grasp. Hugo
Loubeque had dropped his own blade
to the floor and was studying him
quietly. no giimmer in his eyes. Gibson
! glared over his head. The sword was
f'still swaying from side to side from
the fury with which it had been driven
into the low hanging wooden beam
overhead. 1nstinctively his hand reach
| ed to recover his weapon when Lon
beque laid a hand Of iron upon his
! shoulder
That will do.'' he cried sternly. BE
| a man, sir" Again that mellowed light
drove the light Of anger from his eyes
His lips opened and the voice of hin,
was little more than Il sigh; "such q
man as Miss Lucille Love deserves"
Gibson looked at him. startled
aghast- Once more Loubeque would
have spoken when, from below stairs,
came the shrill screech of a police
mans whistle, followed almost in,
stantly by rush Of feet upon the
stairs.
The spy's right hand moved alone
the desk. picking up small ivory box,
exquisitely carved, which he handed
to Gibson.
You will kindly give this to-Lu.
c1lle-With my compliments and felici.
tations," he murmured
Gibson stared at him. wondering al
the lack OF emotion on his face in this
moment of peril. Slowly. steadily Lou
beque stepped backward. Then sud
denly a yawning panel stood beside
III 1A