The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-12-03


rose. and in the summer twilight. whom
all the ports were opened. Horribly took
me over the vessel. Az 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
It was an armory crammed with rifles.
revolvers and ammunition.
1t had not been intended that
should see that interior. and the rea-
son why the customs officers had been
bribed was now apparent
passed ON without remark. making
believe that l mad 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 a 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
ilornby 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 about-evidently
portraits OF Hornby's friends. Upon
81 xal1 OF
heavy oxidized silver frame, but
empty, while lying on the floor be-
meath a 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 | found them to form
the cabinet portrait OF sweet-looking
and extremely pretty English girl Of
eighteen or nineteen, with bright,
smiling expression, and wearing a
fresh morning blouse OF white pique.
About the expression Of the pictured
face was something which | 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
photograph. and saw that It had been
taken by q wellknown and fashionable
firm in New Bond street.
Next second. however. hearing
Hornby's returning footsteps. | f1ung
the fragments hastily beneath the
couch where had discovered them.
Why, wondered, had the picture
been destroyed-and by whom?
Afterwards on deck | purposely led
the conversation to Hornbys family.
md learned from him that he had no
children.
You'll get the repairs to your en-
gires done at Orlando's. | suppose?"
remarked, naming the great ship-build-
| ing Arm Of Leghorn.
Yes. l have already given tho or
der. They are contracted to be I'm
ished by next Thursday, and then we
shall be OF to Zante and Chic"
For what reason, I wondered, recol-
lecting that formidable armory on
board. Already had seen quite suf-
flclent to convince me that the Lola.
although outwardly a pleasure yacht.
was built OF steel, armored in its most
vulnerable parts. and capable of re-
sisting a v'ry 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 a 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
fidential 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
ONCE 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 cfphers with
him, and deposits them at the foreign
once for safekeepfng. Hutchinson
had, Of course. taken his. according to
the regulations.
CurIously enough, however, the door