Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-07

uarK SIdCorOOm nor ndnQS CroIHDlou
so with excitement that for moment
she fumbled in vain for the switch.
She had begged to be permitted to
help him, and Craven promised to
command her services, If ever need
should arise; but his tone in promising
had been mellow with an indulgence
deprecating the implication that
Downing Streets secret ambassador
could ever need the aid of woman's
hands and wits In his occult and mo-
mentcus affairs.
Yet already that time had come |!
She was half wild with delight.
After some minutes the quiet of the
ship was made musical with the mel
low and deliberate sounding Of eight
bells, midnight. She had still half an
hour to wait-an almost insufferably
protracted vigil, with every faculty
tense In apprehension Of the prema.
ture return Of her Dowager Dragon.
But tonight nothing happened to
change this custom; and the stroke Of
one bell of the midnight watch found
Lydia, unhindered. leaving her door, a
long cloak effectually Disgusting her
light dinner gown.
Cautiously. with swift glances max.
ing sure that the alleyway was empty
all down its darkened length, she stole
forward, slipped quickly through the
port doorway into the welcome blank
ness which closed round her like a
magic garment Of invisibility. At
intervals electric bulbs incased in
hemispheres of clouded glass blotted
the obscurity overhead, but lent little
aid to the girls straining vision. And,
now that most Of the passengers were
abed, every port she passed was dark.
At the fifth stanchion, midway be-
tween two of the overhead lights, she
found no one waiting; and, since she
had encountered no one on the way,
she CROPPED on to the sixth, found it
deserted, and, returning, settled down
to wait.
Suddenly Craven stood before her
ness: with no warning Of any sort, he
was there!
Without speaking, Lydia stretched
forth a hand to his. He suffered her
caress without apparent emotion, and.
peering anxiously into his face, she
saw it set In mold of care and vigi-
lance-even now, when they were ut
terly alone!
When he spoke 1t was in preoc-
cupied tone. "Hope I haven't kept
you waiting"
"Only q mOment.~
He shook his head YEARLY. II was
detained" For several seconds he
seemed deep in thought. Then his
words came swiftly, "I'm suspected
watched Did anyone see your"
She thrilled deliciously. 81 think
not. I've been here some time, quite
undisturbed"
"Good But they nearly got mel"
"Who?"
He smiled family. "The other SIDE"
Lydia's grasp frightened on his
plump fingers. "You-you're not in
danger"
Don't be alarmed. They'd never
dare attempt anything aboard this YES
sci. But I've stolen a march on them
and something else, something more
valuable" Straining dramatic
pause to the swapping point, he eased
1t with a word, "Evidence!"
At this the foghorn whooped like q
demon Of derision. Until 1t was quiet
again Craven stood moveless, chin on
bosom, eyes blank with abstraction.
YES he affirmed, "dev'lisa good
evidence! Look here, I'll have to tell
you something. We've been sold out
mean there's a traitor in our corps"
"But can't you do something's" .
.Rather!S Craven laughed shortly.
"In fact, I have done something al
ready. He won't go far; for his word
"a squealer's word-won't have much
weight with the other side, lacking
proofs. and I've got the evidence to
discredit him. he paused again,
touched his breast lightly but effec-
lively, "here!"
Again interrupted by the foghorn. he
started and frowned irritably, SEEM
Ing to detect something sardonic in its
accent
"WelI-thats all. You understand
now. The point is. I'm known to have
-ah-stolen this evidence. But don't
worry. This is where you come I'M
From his coat pocket Craven produced
small, oblong box Of inlaid wood.
highly polished. "I've managed to pack
the evidence in this one of those Chi
nese puzzle boxes. II you don't know
the combination, it needs an ak to open
1t. Put 1t away somewhere-ycur
trunk till we land-but take it ashore
In your handbag. A tip from the other
side, you know, and the customs in
spectors'll turn my luggage inside QUIT
but you're perfectly safe, you see,
coming in as an alien. They'll pass you
on your declaration
The girl slipped the box--it was
about large enough to hold deck of
cards-into the lining pocket Of her
cloak. "I'll keep it SAFE" she said
quietly.
"Dear child! It's so good to have