The Lamar register., 1921-06-08

make out small w!cket-gate, clos
ing path which connected both
houses. He tried II. and found TO his
satisfaction that II opened silently.
Save for one room on the ground
floor the house WIS in darkness. and
Hugh determined 10 have look al
that room There was u chink in the
curtains through which the light was
streaming out, which struck him as
having possibilities.
Keeping under cover. he edged
toward 1t, and, al length, ne got into
a position from which he could see
inside. And what he saw made him
decide 10 chance IL. and go even closer.
Seated at the table WIS man he
did not recognize; while on either
side OF him sat Lakington and Peter
son. Lying on IA sofa smoking u
cigarette and reading a novel was
tall dark girl. who seemed completely
uninterested In the proceedings OF
the other three. Hugh placed her
at once as the doubtful daughter lrma.
and resumed his watch on the group
at the table.
A paper was In front OF the man,
and Peterson, who WAS smoking d
large cigar. was apparently suggest
ing that he should make use of the
pen which Iakington was obligingly
holding in readiness. la all respects
Ii harmless tableau. save for one small
thing-the expression on the mans
face. Hugh had seen II before often
only then II had been called she'll
shock. The man WIS dazed. semi
unconscious. Every now and then he
stared round the room. as II be-
wildered: then he would shake his
head and pass his hand wearily over
his forehead For a quarter of an
hour the scene continued; then LAX
ington produced an instrument from
his pocket. Hugh saw the man
shrink back In terror, and reach for
the pen. But what impressed him
most Ia that momentary flash Of
action was Peterson. There was
something inhuman In his complete
passiyity. Even as he watched the
man signing his name, no trace Of
emotion showed on his face-whereas
on Lakingron's there shone fiendish
satisfaction.
The document was still lying on
the table. when Hugh produced his
revolver. He knew there was foul
| play about and the madness OF what
he had suddenly made up his mind
to do never struck him: being that
manner Of fool. he was made that
way. But he breathed a pious prayer
that he would shoot straight-Hnd
then he held his breath. The crack
Of the shot and the bursting Of the
only electric light bulb IN the room
were aimosI Simultaneous. and the
next second. with roar VI Come
On. boys" he burst through the win
| dow. At an immense advantage
over the others, who could see moth.
ing for the moment. he blundered
round the room. He timed the blow
straight on the point Of the Jaw and
he felt the man go down like = log.
Then he grabbed at the paper on the
table. which tore In his hand, and
picking the dszed signer up bodily,
he rushed through the window onto
the lawn. There was not an instant
TO be lost; only the impossibility Of
seeing when suddenly plunged into
darkness. had enabled him TO pull the
thing on SO far. And before that ad-
vantage disappeared he had to be back
Al The Lsrches with his burden. NO
Light weight for even Q man Of his
strength TO carry.
But there seemed to be no pursuit.
no hue and cry. As he reached the
little gate he paused and looked back,
and he fsncied he saw outside the
window a CLEAN OF white, such as q
shirt front. He fingered for an instant,
peering into the darkness and recover
ing his breath, when with q vicious
phut something buried itself in the tree
beside him. Drummond fingered nc
more; long years OF experience left
no doubt In his mind as to what that
something was.
| ''Compressed-air rife-or electric.
he muttered TO himself. stumbling on,
and half dragging, half carrying bis
dazed companion.
He was not very clear In his own
mind what TO do next, but the mat
ter was settled for him Unexpectedly
Barely had he got into the drawing
room. when the door opened and the
girl rushed In.
"Get him away at once" she cried
/ aIn rour oar nan't waafe \