The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-12-28
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| nara 10 believe that this ouiverinp
shaken creature, with his lean and
pasty face and desperate, glaring eyes
tnls man in rough, stained, soiled and
shapeIess garments, could be identical
WIN the well-set-up, prosperous and
conndent man of affairs he remem-
Dered as Drummond. And yet they
were one. Appalling to contemplate
the swift, devastating course of moral
degeneration, that had spread like gan
creme through all the mans physical
and mental fiber
Take good look" Ember advised
grimly. "How about that pet myth
thing now2 What price the astute
sleuth-eh? Perhaps you'd like to
take a few more funny cracks at my
simple faith in hallucinations.
Il had a notion he'd be hanging
around" Ember went on; 81 thought
saw somebody hiding in the woods this
afternoon; and then was sure / saw
him skulking round the edges of the
clearing after dinner. So 1 set Sum
Fat to watch. drove back to the village
to mislead him, left my car there and
walked back. And sure enough
without comment, Whitaker, unable
to stand any longer without discom-
fort. hobbled to chair and sat down.
"Well?" Drummond demanded harsh
ly In a quavering snarl. "Now that
you've got me, what're you going to
do with meP
There was high, hysterical accent
in his voice that struck unpleasantly
on Ember's ear. He cooked his head
to one side. studying the man intently.
Drummond flung himself a step
away from the table, paused, and again
faced his captors with bravado.
"Well?" he cried again. "Wen?"
Ember nodded toward Whitaker.
"Ask him." he said briefly.
Whitaker shook his head. It was
| difficult to think how to deal with this
trapped animal, so wildly different
from the cultivated gentleman he al
ways had in mind when he thought of
DrummOnd. The futility of attempting
to deal with him according to any code
recognized by men of honor was
wretchedly apparent.
"DrummOnd," he said slowly, 81 wish
to God you hadn't done this thing"
Drummond laughed discordantly.
Keep your mealy-mouthed compassion
for yourself" he retorted, sneering.
Whitaker gave a gesture of despair.
''h you'd only been content to keep out
Of the way . ! If only you'd let
me alone"
"rben you let Sara Law alone, d'yOu
hearT'
The interruption was little short of
shrek. Ember motioned to Sum Fat,
who quietly drew nearer.
II swear I don't know what to do or
say"
"Then shut up"
"Thatn be about ALL" Ember inter
posed quietly. At a glance from him,
Sum Fat closed I'm swiftly and caught
and plnloned DrummOnd's arms from
behind.
A disgusting change took place IN
Drummond. In nm instant ne was strug-
Cling screaming. slavering; his face
cOngested. eyes staring, features work
ing wildly as he turned and twisted in
his efforts TO free himself. Sum Fat
held him as ne would have held an un-
ruly child. When a break in Drum
mond's rawlings came at length, together
with gradual weakening of the mans
struggles, the detective turned TO Whit
nker
sorry" he said. 'T didn't dare take
any further chances. He'd have been
at your throat in another minute. It
isn't as If we had simply an everyday
crook TO deal with" Ember went on.
approaching the man. Hes not to
be trusted or reasoned with. He's just
short Of a raving morphomaniac. or /
miss my guess"
With quick movement he caught
Drummonds left arm, pulled the sleeve
Of his cont back to the elbow. unbut-
toned and turned back his cuff
"Hmm-yes." he continued. bending
over to inspect the exposed forearm, I'm
spite OF Drummond's efforts 70 twist
away. Deadly work OF the busy little
needle Good Lord. he's fairly riddled
with puncfurcs f'
"That explains !" Whitaker
muttered ackened.