Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1917-05-04

He mapped In his berth and read a
novel which he had brought with him
during the afternoon and evening, not
leaving his stateroom. The next morn
ing he passed on deck. He expected
every moment that some man would
attempt To make his acquaintance. No
man did, but IA very pretty young wo-
man sitting In steamer chair looked
at him as he passed her and cast down
her long Spanish lashes. Every time
he passed her i'm pacing back and forth
she gave him the same glance and the
same downward sweep. He suspected
her at once and put himself ON his
guard.
With the exception of the Spanish
woman there was no evidence Of any
person or persons shadOwing him. But
81 the second day out an old lady with
very white hair came up the cOmpan-
ionway and looked about for a seat.
The ship was rolling, and Maitland,
taking hold of her arm, supported her
to steamer chair. She thanked him,
but he would have nothing to do with
every one. The old lady besides thank
ing him made some commonplace re-
mark, To which il would have been po-
lite for him to respond. but he turned
from her as though she had some In
fictitious disease.
Several times after that he surveyed
her from a distance and noticed that
she looked very peculiar. Indeed, after
scrutiniZing her one afternoon as she
sat doing i'm her steamer chair 1t &C.
Cured to him that she was young
person disguised as an old woman.
When the day before the ship was
due at Vera Cruz he saw her and the
young Spanish woman sitting side by
side and talking confidentially he made
up his mind that they had been sent
out from Washington to steal his dis
patch and that one or both Of them had
already opened his suit case. Prob
ably one did the work while the other
kept watch.
A few hours before his arrival In port
Maitland went to his stateroom, took
the dispatch from his pocket and look
ed at it, He felt very happy. If he
had got it so far on the journey despite
those who were trying to get it from
him surely he could do what little re-
NAMED Replacing it, he picked up his
cigarette case, which he had left on a
shelf, lighted cigarette and, lying
down with his novel, began to read. He
soon became drowsy and fell asleep.
When he awoke the ship was In port.
He felt nauseated. Something had hap
pened He clapped his hand to his side
pocket.
The dispatch was gone.
Beaten after all" he moaned.
Starting up, he staggered out and on
to the deck. No one had gone ashore.
last hope occurred to him. He would
have the two women arrested OH a
trumped up charge. There they. were
near the compSnionway. He rushed
forward and, se\ng a policeman on
the dock, beckoned to him. The man
met him on the companionway, and
Maitland, slipping a ten dollar bill into
his hand, told him that there were two
women thieves on board who had rob-
bed him. When the women reached
the dock they were taken into custody.
They made a great ado at their arrest,
asserting their innocence.
II am an American" said the old
lady, land I demand to be taken before
the United States consul"
II will take you to the consulate"
said Maitland, provided your confed-
crate will consent to go with u.s."
The old lady persuaded the other wo-
man to make no objection, assuring her
that 1t was their best course. Maitland
called a carriage, and the three travel
ers entered, the policeman climbing to
the box. On reaching the consulate
Maitland insisted that the Spanish wo-
man go I'm with them. He did not dare
leave her in the carriage. She seemed
Indifferent about it, and the three went
in together. The consul being engaged
at the time, they were placed In the
waiting room.
While waiting, Maitland, facing the
old lady, scrutinized her. What was
there that was familiar about her?
Suddenly-the Spanish woman's back
was turned-she gave him smile.
He recognized his wife.
Rising, Julie went into the hall,
Maitland following her.
Don't worry" she said. Its safe"
"Where?''
I'm my corsage."
How did you come by it?"
I've had II all the time. When /
handed you the cigar box In Washing
ton it contained dummy. l kept the
dispatch"
"Who opened my suit caseT
THE woman in there"
"How do you known"
II saw plainly that she had been
sent to delay the delivery Of the dis
patch and, pretending that l was on
the same errand, won her confidence,
and we agreed to work together. Aft
er she found the envelope was not I'm
your suit case she was sure you had
1t on your person. You were very