Williams news., 1917-11-08
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
CHAPTER VIIl-Continued.


 -10-
 "Then let me see you back to your staterOom, and I'll"
 'tNo, I-rd rather wait here. I must know tonight-I 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 companionway Lydia paused.
 twill you be long"
 "Not ten minutes" Quoin promised. His figure momentarily eclipsed the blur of light that stood for the door, way.
 Indeed it was hardly more than ten minutes when the doorway was again darkened, and Quoin came to Lydia's side.
 ''Was I long? I'm sorry. had to be rather severe before they gave in and up."
 "You succeeded?" He laughed qui- etly. Here it is.'
 Mute in astonishment, speeches. with gratitude, she took the puzzle box from his extended hand.
 "A crook known as Southpaw Smith he deals left-handed-had it, togeth- CT with the father and mother of all black eyes. I 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. Quoin!'' the girl interrupted in Q tremulous voice.
 'sYes?"
 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" he laughed boyishly, 'Tve had a good time bullyragging Southpaw. I like that sort of thing, you know"
 4I 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- Ionway was bewildering. Instinctively Quoin and Lydia paused. The girl smiled wistfully as she offered her hand.
 "Good-night-andt thank you with all my heart, MT. Quoin!''
 Miss Craven,'-he retained her hand for a moment-"will you tell me one thing?"
 "f may-anything-"
 His eyes searched hers jealously. Do you know what's in that box?"
 'No, MT. Quoin! Upon my word of honor, mo-"
 Her eyes were nmpid pools of in- genuous candor. Quoin could no longer doubt. He nodded, releasing her hand.
 Thank you"
 'But," she fingered, "do you?''
 'I do," he admitted reluctantly. "Not through any wish of mine. But Southpaw had only succeeded in pug zling the combination out when I in terrupted. I made him put back-what he'd taken from the box. Don't worry. I've already forgotten what it was. And Southpaw won't bother you again II promise you that"
 Her eyes questioned anxiously, his smiled reinsurance. With yet another goodnight, Lydia turned away.
 He watched her down the aIleyway to the door of B75, 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 it in darkness the Dow ager Dragon suddenly switched on the lights and lifted from her pillow an indignant head framed in a nightcap, the most coquettishly beribboned imag- inable.
 ''Well" 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 it's sprinkling of moisture that glittered like diamond dust. ''The foghorn, you know-and I 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.