The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1917-12-28
Bv LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
CHAPTER viII-Continued.

10
Then let me see you back to your
stateroom, and III"
mo, I'D rather wait here. l must
know tonight can't sleep without
knowing"
Admiration kindled in Quoin's re-
gard. He liked that spirit. She had
been quick to recover, quicker than the
average woman would have been.
"Very WELL" he assented.
They moved forward. Opposite the
.ompanionway Lydia paused.
"Will you be longT
mot ten minutes" Quoin promised.
His figure momentarily eclipsed the
blur of light that stood for the door
way.
Indeed 1t was hardly more than ten
minutes when the doorway was again
iarkened, and Quoin came to Lydia's
side.
"Was long? I'm sorry. had to be
rather severe before they gave in
and up"
atly. Here 1t is
Mute in establishment, speechless
with gratitude, she took the puzzle box
from his extended hand.
"A crook known as Southpaw Smith
he deals Northumberland 1t, togeth-
er with the father and mother of all
black eyes. l was almost sorry for
him. George Traymore' is his alias
on the passenger list. A tall, slender
scoundrel-very, very smooth. Not
that you're likely to see him before we
land, If then. He'll lay very low and
make the quietest getaway from the
dock he can manage"
"Mr. Quon.' the girl interrupted in
q tremulous voice.
"Yes7"
Her embarrassment was painful.
"What can say to you? Mere thanks
aren't adequate"
"Please say no more. To know I've
been of some use Is enough. Besides"
be laughed boyishly, i've had a good
time bullyragging Southpaw. l like
that sort Of thing. you know"
II shall be always grateful"
"Then do something to oblige me.
sha'n't be easy in my mind until
you're safe In your room"
Transition from the gloom Of the
deck to the brilliantly lighted compan-
lonway was bewildering. Instinctively
Quoin and Lydia paused. The girl
smiled wistfully as she offered her
hand.
"Good-night-and thank you with all
my heart, Mr.. Quoin!"
Miss Craven,"-he retained her
one thingl"
III 1 may-anything-"
His eyes searched hers jealously.
DO you know what's in that box?"
NO Mr.. ouoln. Upon my word Of
honor, no."
Her eyes were limpid pools of in
genuous candor. Quoin could no
longer doubt. He nodded, releasing
her hand.
Thank you"
But" she fingered. "do your
II do" he admitted reluctantly.
Not through any wish Of mine. But
Southpaw had only succeeded in puz-
LIlllS lilt out W ACl 1 IA
terrupted. I made him put back-what
he'd taken from the box, Don't worry.
I've already forgotten what 1t was.
And Southpaw won't bother you again
Il promise you that"
Her eyes questioned anxiously, his
smiled reinsurance. With yet another
goodnight, Lydia turned away.
He watched her down the alleyway
to the door of BIS. then turned to seek
his own berth, shaking his head to rid
It of tormenting doubts.
Softly closing the door, Lydia as
gently shot the bolt, hoping to gain
her bed unquestioned. But as she
moved toward 1t In darkness the Dow
ager Dragon suddenly switched on the
lights and lifted from her pillow an
indignant head framed in nightcap,
the most coquettishly beribboned imag-
Unable.
We'll :" she demanded tartly. "Where
have you been, If you please?"
Lydia showed her a countenance In
nocent of any trace of guile. "On
deck" she said quietly, removing her
cloak with its sprinkling of moisture
that glittered like diamond dust. THE
foghorn, you know-and l wasn't
sleepy, anyway. It's wonderful out
there, so still and dark and uncanny.
You'd think almost anything could hap
pen, and no one be the wiser"
CHAPTER TX.