Middletown transcript., 1921-06-25
CHAPTER III-Continued.

CHAPTER III-continued.
There was something so incredibly
menacing in the soft. quiet voice that
Drummond looked at the speaker fas-
cinated. He had sudden feeling that
he must be dreaming-that in a mo-
ment Or two he would wake up and
find that they had really been talking
about the weather the whole time.
Then the cynical CLEAN Of triumph in
PetersOn's eyes acted on him like a
cold douche.
"Your candor is as refreshing" he
answered genially, "as your SMILES
are apt. 1 shudder to think Of that
poor little fly. Mr.. Peterson, especial
ly with your chauffeur grinding his
gears to pieces" He held open the
door for his visitor, and followed him
into the passage. At the other end
stood Denny, Ostentatiously busting
bookshelf, and Peterson glanced at
him casually. 1t was characteristic
of the man that no trace of annoyance
showed on his face. He might have
been an ordinary visitor taking his
leave.
And then suddenly from the room
outside which Denny was busting
there came low moaning and an in
coherent babble. A quick frown
passed over Drummond's face, and
Peterson regarded him thoughtfully
"An Invalid in the house?' he re-
marked. "How inconvenient for you!
He laid his hand for moment on the
soldiers arm. II sadly fear you're
going tosmake a fool of yourself. And
1t will be such pity" He turned
toward the stairs. Don't bother,
please; 1 can find my own way out"
THREE.
Hugh turned back into his own
room. and lighting a particularly noisy
pipe. sat down in his own special
chair. He was under no delustons as
to the risks he was running. Under
rating his opponent had never been
fault of his, either in the ring or in
France, and he had no intention OF
beginning now. The man who could
abduct an American millionaire, and
drug him till he was little better than
q baby, and then use thumbscreW
to enforce his wishes, was not likely
TO prove prescriptions in the fu-
ture.
After a while he began half-uncon-
sciously to talk aloud to himself. 1.-TWO
alternatives, old buck" he remarked,
stabbing the air with his pipe. "One-
give the Potts bird up at Berners
street: two-do not. Number one
out Of court at once. Preposterous-
absurd. Therefore number two holds
the field" He rang the bell.
James" he said, as the door op-
ened, take p piece Of paper and a
pencil-if there's one with a point
and sit down at the table. I'm going
to think, and I'd hate to miss out any
thing"
His servant complied, and for a
while silence reigned.
"First." remarked Drummond, put
down-'They know where Potts is
Two-They will try to get Potts.
"Yes sir" answered Denny writing
busily.
"Three-sThey will not get Potts
Now, James, you've got to DO some
thing else. Rise and with your we'll
known stealth approach the window,
and see if the watcher still watcheth
without"
The servant took a prolonged sur
vey, and finally announced that he
failed to see him.
"Then that proves conclusively that
he's there" said Hugh. "Write it down,
James: Four-'Owing to the watcher
without, Potts cannot leave the house
without being seem Five-I otis must
leave the house without being seen.'
/ want him, James, l want him all to
myself He shall 60 to my cottage on
the river, and you shall look after
him."
Eyes, SIR" returned James dutifully.
"And in order to get him there, we
must get rid of>the watcher without.
How can we get rid of the bird-how
can we, James, I ask you? Why, by
giving him nothing further to watch
for. Once let him think that Potts
is no longer within, unless he's an
imbecile he will no longer remain with
out. Now trot along over, James, and
give nv compliments to Mr.. Darrell.
Ask him to come in and see me for a
moment. Say I'm thinking and daren't
move"
James rose Obediently, and Drum
m0nd heard him cross over the pas