The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-12-08
CoaYrlahf e. Sc u DeTan e

what mas nappeneOI -
He rushed TO the bell and pealed ii
frantically. and with q smile OF Joy
Hugh watched his frenzied terror. No
one came in answer TO the ring. and
Lexington dashed to the door. only to
recOil into the room with a choking
noise in his throat Outside in the
hall stood four masked men. each
with revolver pointing at his heart
My cue" muttered Hugh. And
you understand, fellows, don't you?-
he's my meat"
The next moment he had diSap-
peared down the ladder, and the three
remaining watchers stared mOtionless
ar the grim scene. For Lexington had
shut the door and was crOuching by
the table his nerve utterly gone. And
all the while the pulled, blOated body
of the German sprawled on the
floor.
Slowly the door into the hail opened.
and with scream OF fear darlington
sprang back. Standing in the door
way was Hugh DrummOnd and his
face was grim and merciless.
You sent for your chauffeur. Henry
Lexington" he remarked quietly. al
am here"
What do you mean?" muttered
LakingtOn thickly.
II drove you back from Laidley
Towers tonight" said Hugh with a
slight smile The proper man was
foolish and had to be killed" He ad-
Vanced few steps into the room. and
the other shrank back. You look
frightened. Henry. Can it be that
the young Swine's wits are. after all,
better than yOurST'
What do you want?' gasped LAX
ington, through dry lips.
u want you. Henry-just you.
Hitherto you've always used gangs of
your rufianS against me. Now my
gang occupies this house. But I'm
not going to use them. It's going to
be just-yOu and l. Stand up. Henry :
stand up-as I have always stood up
to YOU" He crossed the room and
stood in front OF the covering man.
Take half-take half" he screamed.
I've got .treasure-Tve
And Drummond hit him fearful
blow on the mouth.
II shall take all. Henry, to return to
their rightful owners. BOys'-he
raised his voice-"carry out these
other two. and undo them"
The four masked men came in, and
carried out the two chairs.
1.-THE intimidated rabbit. Henry, and
| the kindly gentleman you put TO guard
| Miss Benton" he remarked as the
| door closed. $50 now we may regard
ourselves as being alone. Just you
and l. And one OF US, Lexington
you devil In human FORMS going In
to that bath"
"But the bath means DEATH
shrieked Lakington-"death in agony"
THAT will be unfortunate for the
one who goes in" said DrummOnd
taking a step toward him.
'You would murder meT' half sObbed
the terrified man.
mo, Lexington; I'm not going to
murder you" A CLEAN OF hope came
into the others eyes. But I'm going
to fight you in order to decide which
OF US two ceases to adorn the earth
that is, If your diagnosis Of the con
tents OF the bath is correct. What
little CLEAN OF pity I might have pos
sessOd for you has been completely ex
tingHiShed By your present exhibition
or nauseating cOwardice. Flight. YOU
worm, fight; or I'll throw you n!'
And Lexington fought. The sudder
complete turning OF the tables had fol
the moment destroyed his nerve; now
at DrummOnd'R words, he recovered
himself. There was no mercy on the
soldiers face, and in his inmOst hear
Lexington knew that the end had come
For strong and Wiry though he was
he was ne match for the other.
RelentleEsly he felt himself being
forced toward the deadly liquid he haC
prepared Tor Drummond, and as thi
irony Of the thing struck him, th'
sweat broke ont on his forehead ant
he cursed aloud. At last he backed in
to the edge OF the bath and his strug
J giles redo1bled. But stiH there was a,
mercy en- the soldiers face. and b
! felt himself being forced farther an,
farther ever the liquid until he wa
) emily held from falling into ii by Drum
& mOnd's grip GA hH throat.
j Then. 3aEt before the grip relaxe,
! and he went under. the soldier spOk
! Once;
! Henry IAkinEtOn," he said, ''th
retributlOn is just"
} DrummOnd spr1ng back, and Ii
liquid closed ever ne Wretched man
} head. But only for q second. Wit
a dreadful CRY Lahngton Ieaped on
and even Drummond felt mOmentar
: qnalm OF pity FOE the criminal
clothes we're already burnt through {
, the skia. and kis face-Or what wa
, ! left OF twas a shining copper cOlOl
+ Mad with agony. he dashed to the dOOl
and fang it epea. ne fear mea o1i