Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-03-30

saying things about me, and / was
furious.
"Are you meeting my husband at
Afarseilles. Mrs. Martini" ! asked
her.
was sorry for the question d.
rectly the words had left my lips
sorry for her too. in a way. She
turned deathly pale, and II looks
could have killed, should have besn
a dead woman. She made no answer
at all 1 waited for a moment and
then passed on to my stateroonl.
1T must have been about ten o'clock
/ that night when I heard Il soft
tapping at my door. 1 guessed at
once who it was, and I guessed right.
". 1t was Mrs. Louisa Martin.
wrapped in a dresslng-gowu and
with slippers on her feet. She closed
the door carefully, and she put her
fingers to her lips.
I'VE must be careful" she whis.
pered. You were mad to speak OF
Michael openly"
"Of my husband?"
She laughed contemptuously.
HE married me years before you."
she replied, land another before
either of u.s."
I turned away from her. that she
should not see the hate 10 my face.
Some conviction Of this sort had
been growing upon me of late.
when two women love the same
man." Louisa Martin continued,
they should forget everything when
he Is in danger. I don't see love in
your face" she went on. Then why
are you here?"
"I see no reason why I should dis
cuss that or any other subject with
YOU" I answered. "But az mat.
ter of fact had no idea that Michael
was in A-arseilles."
l thought that she would have
struck me. The Are Of unbelief
bRzed in her eyes.
What are you doing on this
steamer them" she demanded.
II came for holiday trip" told
her.
She leaned a little toward me. In
the unshaded light Of the cabin her
face seemed wan. almost aged.
Listen" she said: this is a mat
ter Of life or death for Michael. You
heard through some one of his being
in Marseilles. Tell me through
whom"
Il swear that l had no idea he
was there" I repeated.
You fooip' she exclaimed. Cant
you see that you are probably fol.
lowed-that the police are making
use Of your"
You are in the same position
yourself" l reminded her.
Indeed I am not" she assured
me earnestly. II was born in Mar
sei1les. have Travelled there repeat.
eddy. II ow every corner and stone
Of the place. 1t was l who taught
Michael that It was the finest hiding
place in the world for the educated
criminal. 1t was 1 who took him
where he Is now"
Our conversation was suddenly in.
terrupted in a very unexpected
fashion. My stewardess entered,
with a thin blue strip in her hand.
Wireless for you. Mrs. soale."
she announced, addressing me by
tho name under which l had booked
my passage.
For me2" I repeated incredulous.
| ly There must be some mistake.
AT~b11,- Il ~. RI -
It's Mrs. Scale, right enough"
the stewardess assured me. There's
no one else of that name among the
passengers.
tore open the envelope. My COM
panton watched me with glittertng
eyes. She could scarcely wait until
the stewardess had departed.
You llar!" she ragged. ''You see
what you have done! You have laid
trail for the police to follow from
London to Marseilles."
She poured out abuse. heard
nothing. My whole attention was
fixed upon these few words staring
at me from the telegraph form:
"Dombey 81st March Genesis
Louise"
l felt her wrist suddenly grip
mine. She read the message over
my shoulder.
Get the code" she whispered
hoarsely. "Quickl'
What code?" demanded. "I
don't know what you're talking
about"
I suppose she must have been con.
vinced at last, for she dropped my
wrist and hurried to the door.
LContinIed In Our Next Issr1eN