The Connecticut labor press., 1920-06-05
CHAPTER iII-continued.

I had noticed that she had substf- tuted a tiny Japanese fan for the one that Montani had inspected so eager ly. When I spoke of the change she had said the other was too precious keep it locked up.
 T hate to bother you, sir, knowing you"
 The mention of the fan had brought me to an abrupt halt. I resented hay- ing the thing thrust at me In the ecstatic mood in which left the house, but the visit of the German speaking stranger was serious, and Antoine knew that his story had startled me. He told me further that the man had carefully outlined to El- sic just how she could take advantage of her freedom of the house to appro- priate the fan when the ladies were out and the servants off the second floor. She was to be paid for her as- sfstance; two hundred dollars had been promised; even more had been suggested. Elsie and the stranger had left the garage and passed oct of ear shot before Elsie fully consented; but Pierre had given Antoine the impress sion that she would make the attempt.
 Tt was to be for the kaiser, for Ger many" declared Antoine bitterly. And she was to be careful aboul Flynn. I always thought Flynn was straight-I did indeed, sir r
 T think Flynn and his wife are both honest, but we'll take no chance. Warn the guards to be on the alert We don't want Elsie to get the idea that she's being watched; so tell the men to keep away from the garage. I'll keep an eye on the Flynns. You go home and go to bed. -
 The deep calm of the country night had settled upon the shore, and the Hymns quarters were perfectly tran quil. It didn't seem possible that an International episode was in process of incubation in that quiet neighborhood. I began to think that the general dis trust of the German woman by her as- sOciates might be responsible for Pierre's story. But, viewed in any light, had duty to perform. If Elsie had visited the house and purloined the fan, she would be very likely to get rld of 1t as quickly as possible. and de- termined to keep watch. l drew the blinds. got into my dressing gown and. re-enforcing the lampshade with q newspaper to deaden the light, pro- ceeded to read
 1t was on toward one o'clock and was dozing when sound reused me. A door on the Flynn side of the hall creaked; there was silence, then l heard furtive steps on the stair. I snapped out my light and peered out of the window just as Elsfe's robust figure disappeared into the shadows. I was about to follow when the creak- ing of the Flynn door was repeated. In a moment another peep through the shade showed me Flynn himself, and he, too, quickly vanished. Here was situation indeedi If Elsie was keep Ing tryst with her co-conspirator of the afternoon and her husband was spying upon her, row of large proportions was likely to result at any moment. I leaned from the window as far as 1 dared and saw the woman close to the wall at the farther end of the building. The scene was well set for trouble, and was wondering what I could do to avert the disturbance and the exposure of the foolish woman when the whole matter was taken out of my hands,,
 "You fool! You scoundrel l" she bel lowed in German. That you should think me a plaything to commit rob- bery for you! That I should steal from my mistress to satisfy you, you piece of swine-fesh i''
 I had often heard Elsie vocally dis ciplining her Irish husband and knew the power of her lungs and the vigor sf her invective, but she seemed bent sRon apprising the whole common ssaith oi Connecticut of the fact that