The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-09-28
CHAPTER Vili-Continued.

mo, I'D rather wait here. must
know tonight can't sleep without
knowing"
Admiration kindled in Quoin's re-
gard. He liked that spirit. she hau
been quick to recover, quicker than the
average woman would have peeh'
Every WE'LL" 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 Lydla 5
side.
"Was l long2 I'm sorry. had to De
rather severe before they gave IN
and up"
"You succeeded" He laughed qui-
city. "Here 1t is"
Mute in establishment, speeches.
with gratitude, she took the puzzle DoA
from his extended mana.
"a crook known as Southpaw Smith
he deals left-handed-had 1t, togeth-
err with the father and mother OF all
black eyes. / was almost sorry Ior
him. George Traymore' is his ailas
on the passenger list. A tall. slender
scoundrel---very, very smooth. MOI
that you're likely to see him before we
land, if then. He'll lay very low ana
make the quietest getaway from the
dock he can manage"
"Mr. Quoin!" the girl interrupted IN
a tremuous voice.
"YeS?"
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. Besldes' !,
he laughed boyishly, "Pve had gooo
time bullyragging SOuthpaW. l ike
that sort of thing, you know"
81 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. 1nstinctively
Ouoin and Lydia paused. The girl
smiled wistfully as she offered her
hand.
northumberland thank you with all
my heart, Mr.. Quoin!"
"Miss Craven, he retained ner
hand for a moment-"will you tell me
one thing?"
eff I may-anything-"
His eyes searched hers jealousy.
DO you know what's in that boxT
mo, Mr.. Quoin! Upon my word OF
honor, no."
Her eyes were limpid pools of In
commons candOr. QuOin could no
longer doubt. He nodded, releasing
her hand.
"Thank you"
"But," she fingered, "do your"
81 do" he admitted reluctantly.
"Not through any wish of mine. But
Southpaw had only succeeded In puz-
cling the combination out when l in
terrupted. l 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
I promise you that"
Her eyes questioned anxiously, his
smiled reinsurance. With yet another
goodnight, Lydia turned away.
He watched her down the alleyway
70 the door of BT5, then turned to seek
his own berth, shaking his head to rid
1t 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
oger Dragon suddenly switched on the
lights and lifted from her pillow an
Indignant head framed in a nightcap,
the most coquettishly beribboned mag
Unable.
"Well?" she demanded tartly. where
have YOU been, If you pleaseT
lydia showed her a countenance IN
nocent of any trace Of guile. ION
decl,- she said quietly. removing her
cloak with its sprinkllng Of moisture
that gIittered like diamond dust. The
fogborn. YOU knOw-and wasn't
sleepv. anyway. It's wonderful out
tbera so still and dark and uncanny.
You'd think almost anything could hap
non. and no one be the wiser.