The Spectator., 1915-06-04

the sea-and yachting is such awfully weather"
 The mention of yachting brought back to my mind the visit of the Lola and it's mysterious sequel.
 Your father has yacht, then?" l remarked, with as little concern as l could.
 Yes. The Iris My uncle is cruising on her up the Norwegian Fiords. For us it is change to be here, because we are so often afloat"
 "So you must have made many long voyages, and seen many odd corners of the world, Miss Leithcourt?" l re- marked, my interest in her increasing, for she seemed so extremely intelli- gent and we'll informed. "Oh, yes. We've been to Mexico and to Panama, besides Morocco Egypt and the west coast of Africa" And you've actually landed at Leg horn!" I remarked. Yes, but we didn't stay there more | than an hour-to send a telegram, | | think 1t was. Father said there was nothing to see there. He and l went ashore, and I must say was rather 1 disappointed
 "You are quite right. The town it. self is ugly and uninteresting. But the outskirts-San Jacopo, Ardenza and Antigniano are all delightful. It was unfortunate that you did not see them, ! Was it long ago when you put in there?"
 Not very long. I really don't recol- Fleet the exact date," was her reply. We were on our way home from Alex andria.'
 Have you ever, in any of the ports | you've been, seen a yacht called the Lola?" I asked eagerly, for it occurred to me that perhaps she might be able to give me information.
 "The Lola!" she gasped, and instant ly her face changed. A flush over spread her cheeks, succeeded next mo ment by deathlike pallor. "The Lola!" she repeated in strange. hoarse voice, at the same time en- | utdNOi il6 iOhuouSit hOt No SAhibil any apprehension. No. l have never heard of any such vessel. Is she a steam yacht? Who's her owner?"
 regarded her in amazement and suspicion, for 1 saw that mention of the name had aroused within her some serious misgiving That look in her dark eyes as they fixed themselves upon me was one of distinct and un- speakable terror.
 What could she possibly know con corning the mysterious craft?
 'I don't know the owners name" said, still affecting not to have noticed her alarm and apprehension The vessel ran aground at the Meloria. a dangerous shoal outside Leghorn. and through the stupidity of her captain was very nearly lost
 "Yes?" she gasped. in halfwhisper, bending to me eagerly. unable to sui ficiently conceal the terrible anxiety aboard herr"
 Yes" was the only word I uttered
 A silence fell between us. and as my eyes fixed themselves upon her, I saw that from her handsome mobile coun- tenance all the light and life had sud denly gone out, and I knew that she was in secret possession of the key to that remarkable enigma that so pug zled me.
 Of a sudden the door opened and a voice cried gayly:
 Why, I've been looking everywhere for you, Muriel. Why are you hidden here? Aren't you coming?"
 We both turned, and as she did so a low cry of blank dismay involuntarily escaped her
 Next instant l sprang to my feet The reason of her cry was apparent. for there, in the full light of the golden sunset streaming through the long open windows, stood a broad-shoul- dered, fair-bearded man in tennis fan nels and Panama hat-the fugitive l knew as Philip Hornby! faced him speechlesS.