The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1915-02-18

Through the opening came a pair Of
/ fnftive eyes. Slowly. slowly, the face
Of Thompson showed. He did not
bother to look at the slumbcrer. Be
fore revealing himself he had made
sure that his old master slept soundly.
Swift. certain sure, he moved beyond
the curtains
Closer. closer, q step at time, he
advanced. The hate had left his ewes.
for there was no time for hate when
bent on business. Almost close
enough to reach out and rest 4 hand
upon Loubeqne's shoulder he was
when he halted. his mouth dropping
iudicrouSly open. his feet apparently
gimmed to the carpet. his fingers
tWltching uncertainty. his eyes fasten-
ed in amaze at his own face as it
stared back at him from the tiny mir
ror.
As he recoyefe6, his hand darting
swiftly toward his pocket, The sinister
laughter OF his master broke the ST.
leHce.
Keep the hand in the pocket.
Thompson, Keep it there or l shall be
oniiged to shoot and muss the place.
Inc puter-thief's upper lip curled
back from his teeth, giving him the ex-
preston of an angry inongrel dog.
AND you thought to play with mc..'
Loubeqne murmured WonderingIy
more to himself than to his captive
HE man who knows me better than
any one else thought to catch I.oubenne
sleeping. You dared come near me-
after the second affair. If | but had
the time l should strangle YOU with
these hands. They itch for the feel
OF your throat once more | have y
little favor to ask you,'--
The thief groWled something mar
ticnlate, and his eyes glittered ven
omously as he fastened them upon tho
toes Of his boots.
NOW, Thompson, just step to the
telephone, and call up the desk down.
stairs" He made q significant LITTLE
gesture with the revolver in his hand
ant the man hurriedly took down the
receiver, hlS face pasty yellow.
say there is a hotel sneak thief in
Mr.. Lonbeque's apartment waiting to
b. arrested. Mr.. Loubeaue has nc
time to make charges now, but viii
return shortly or meet the procession
downstairs"
Ihe receiver dropped Gathering from
the Theirs hand. Loubeque waved the
automatic quietly toward it and. as the
IlTlful eyes of his former servant mel
his own, they read no pity there-noth-
ing save cold, yindictive intent The
trembling hand took up the receiver
once more and. word for word, trans
nltteo the message as it fell like lev
particles from the spy's lips. Their
thompson yhiried toward him.
Turn me over will you! Well. listen
10 what's coming to You when YOU do
It. know thing or two
''Iou know tco much" smiled tho
spy cooiiy. THAT is exactly the reason
am disposing Of
AND know about her" The thicf's
Iand waved toward the corrido:
Maybe l can't tell a thing or two
ABOUT you and her What's she doing
nefe-whats the reason she got on the
Empress and stuck to you ever SINCE
Inc revolver slapped against the CD
poslte wall as Loubeoue hurled if at
the mans head, following it with his
hylng body, his frame crashing, the
man to the floor his fingers gronjnc
Tor the vile mouth that spluttered on
am saying as what you and me
hno"-im saying as what 1 can tell
ana what it'll look like. WHAT
Loubeque turned his head suddenly
his ears fairly peaked with the eager.
ness OF his listening The rattle Of tba
elevator outside reached his ears. He.
sprang to his feet, dragging the butte,
after him.
we must get OUT he breathed
hoarseiy. eve must away before they
come. Pll-1ll kill you-for this"-
Swiftly the pair darted through the
door and down the hall. Loubeoue
h'1rriedly twisted the knob to Lucille's