The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-08-06
CHAPTER IV-Continued.


A fixed determination to know what
lay in that sinister brain replaced his
temporary indecision. Events up to
date had moved so quickly that he had
hardly had time to get his bearings;
even now the last twenty-four hours
seemed almost a dream. And as he
cooked at the broad back and massive
head of the man at the window, and
from him to the girl idly smoking on
the sofa, he smiled little grimly. He
had just remembered the thumbscrew
of the preceding evening. Assuredly
the demobilized officer who found
peace dull was getting his moneys
worth; and Drummond had a shrewd
suspicion that the entertainment was
only just beginning.
A sudden sound outside in the gar
den made him look up quickly. He
saw the white CLEAN Of a shirt front,
and the next moment a man pushed
open the window and came unsteadily
into the room. 1t was Mr.. Benton, and
quite obviously he had been seeking
consolation in the bottle.
"Have you got himT he demanded
thickly, steadying himself with hand
on Peterson's arm.
81 have not" said Peterson shortly,
cycling the swaying figure in front of
him contemptuously. "For heavens
sake, sit down, man, before you fall
down." He pushed Benton roughly
into a chair, and resumed his impas-
sive stare into the darkness.
The girl took not the slightest notice
Of the new arrival, who gaZed stupid
~ at Drummond across the table.
"We seem to be moving in an at
mosphere of cross-purposes, Mr.. Ben
ton," said the soldier affably. Il hope
your daughter is quite we'll"
"Er-Quite, thank you," muttered
the other.
"Tell her, with you, that / propose
to call on her before returning to Lon
don tomorrow"
With his hands in his pockets, Peter
son was regarding Drummond from
the window.
'You propose leaving us tomorrow,
do your he said quietly.
Drummond stood up.
81 ordered my car for ten O'Clock, u
he answered. II am quite sure that
u shall be more useful to Mr.. Peter.
son at large than am coOped NJ
here. I might even lead him to this
hidden treasure which he thinks I've
got"
'YOu win do that, all right" re
marked Peterson. "But at the mo
ment / was wondering whether Ut
tie persuasion now-mighf not give me
all the information I require more
quickly and with less trouble"
A feeting vision Of q mangled. pulp
aike thumb flashed across Hugh'I
mind; once again he heard that hide
Gus CRY. half animal, half human
which had echoed through the dark
ness the preceding night, and for al
instant his breath came little faster
Then he smiled, and shook his head.
IT think you are rather too good ,
Judge Of human nature to try anythin,
90 foolish" he said thoughtfully. "Yov
zee. unless you kill me, which dom
think would suit your book, you nigh
fnd explanations little difficult to
morrow"
For a while there was silence in tn
room, broken at length by shor
aaugh from Peterson.
'For a young man, truly your pei
spicacity is great" he remarked. al
ma. is the blue room ready1 If 81
tell Luigi to show Captain DrummOn
20 It."
II WIN show him myself" she al
@wered, rising.
Hugh saw a look Of annoyance pas
over Peterson's face as he turne
10 follow the girl. and 1t struck hiI
that that gentleman was not be:
pleased at the turn Of events. The
the door closed. and he followed b
guide up the stairs.
The girl opened the door Of a roo
and switched on the light Then sh
faced him smiling. and Hugh locke
Al her steadily. "Tell me. you ugl
man." she murmured. why you n
such a fool"
Hugh smiled, and as has been sal
before, Hugh's smile transformed b
face.
Il must remember that opening" B
said. lit establishes q basis Of II
timacy at once. doesn't itr
she swayed littIe toward hin
AZ then. before e realized her il
tenlion, she put a hand on bis shou