Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1917-08-29
CHAPTER VIII-continued.

10
HThen Isc me see you back to your
staterOOm, and I'll"
"Ne, I'D rather wait here. I must
know tonight can't sleep without
moving
Admiration kindled in Quoin's re-
g0rd. He liked that spirit. She had
been quick to recover, quicker than the
average woman would have been.
sVery WELL" he assented.
They moved forward. Opposite the
companiorway Lydia paused.
"Wiu you be longT
"NOt ten minutes" Quoin promised.
His figure mOmentarily eclipsed the
tlur 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 Lydias
side.
WAS I long? I'm sorry. had to be
rather severe before they gave in
and up"
You succeeded" He laughed qui-
ely. Here II Is.
Mute in establishment, speeches.
with gratitude, she took the puzzle box
from his extended hand.
"a crook known as Southpaw Smith
he deals Ieft-handed-had it, togeth-
or with the father and mother of all
black eyes. 1 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.
''Tes?"
Her embarrassment was painful.
what can 1 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, 1--WE had a good
time bullyragging SoNthpaw. I like
that sort of thing, you know"
Il shall be always grateful"
Then do something to oblige me.
I shan'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
QuOln and Lydia paused. The girl
smiled wistfully as she offered her
hand.
"Good-night-and thank you with all
ny heart, Mr.. Quoin!"
Miss Craven,"-he retained her
hand for a moment-"will you tell me
one thing?"
If l may-anything-"
His eyes searched hers jealousy.
30 you know what's in that box?"
NO, Mr.. Quoin! 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 you"
u do" he admitted reluctantly.
Not through any wish Of mine. But
@uthpaw had only succeeded in puz-
ling the combination out when l in
lerrupted. I made him put back-what
ned 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
Uled reinsurance. With yet another
Goodnight, Lydia turned away.
de watched her down the alleyway
he door of B75, then turned to seek
S own berth, shaking his head to rid
u tormenting doubts.
Notify closing the door, Lydia as
"-ly shot the bolt, hoping to gain
u bed unquestioned. But as she
~"ed toward it in darkness the Dow
sf Dragon suddenly switched on the
s-S and lifted from her pillow an
-snant head framed in a nightcap,
most coquettiShly beribboned mag
"eI!' She demanded tartly. where
80 You been, if you please?"
-'~a showed her a countenanee in
Sll Of any trace of guile. "On
she said quietly, removing her
~. "a with its sprinkling of moisture
sttered like diamond dust. "The
s-o'u you know-and l wasn't
~! anyway. It's wonderful out
lS 50 still and dark and uncanny.
mink almost anything could hap
- ad 10 one be the WISER"