The Lamar register., 1921-07-27


as the private den of the principals or
the gang. He associated 1t in his mind
with Peterson himself, suave, impas-
sive. ruthless: with the girl Irma, per-
fectly gowned, lying on the sofa, smok-
Ing innumerable cigarettes. and mani
curing her already faultless nails; and
in a lesser degree, with Henry Laking-
toms thin. cruel face. and blue, staring
eyes.
But tonight different scene con-
fronted him. The girl was not there;
her accustomed place on the sofa was
occupied by an unkempt-looking man
with ragged beard. At the end of
the table was vacant chair, on the
right of which sat Lakington regard
ing him with malevolent fury. Along
the table on each side there were half
a dozen men, and he glanced at their
faces Some were obviously foreign
ers; some might have been anything
from murderers to Sunday school
teachers. There was one with spec
tacles and the general appearance of
an intimidated rabbit, while his neigh
bor. helped by large red scar right
across his cheek, and two blOodshot
eyes. struck Hugh as being the sort
OF man with whom one would not
share a luncheon basket.
Peterson's voice from Just behind
his shoulder reused him.
Permit me, gentlemen, TO Introduce
to you Captain Drummond, ID. S. o.,
NJ. C., the originator of the little en-
tertainment we have just had"
Hugh bowed gravely My only re-
gret is that It failed to function" he
remarked. "As ! told you outside. I'd
quite forgotten your menagerie. In
fact"-his glance wandered slowly and
somewhat pointedly from face to face
at the tablet had no idea 1t was
such large one"
$50 this is the insolent young swine.
is it?" The bloodshot eyes Of the man
with the Scared face turned on him
morosely. what cannot understand
Is why he hasn't been killed by now"
Hugh waggled an accusing finger at
him.
IL knew you were nasty man as
soon as saw you. Now look at Hen
ry up at the end Of the table; he
doesn't say that sort OF thing. And
you do hate me- don't you, Henry;
How's the jaw?'
Captain Drummond." said Laking-
ton. Ignoring Hugh and addressing the
first speaker. twas very nearly killed
last night. I thought for some time
as to whether / would or not, but
finally decided 1t would be much too
easy a death. So II can be remedied
tonight"
II Hugh felt momentary twinge Of
fear at the calm, eXpressionless tone.
and the half-satisfied grunt which
greeted the words. no trace OF I,
showed on his face. Already the
realization had come to him that II
he got through the night alive he would
os more than passing lucky, but he
was too much OF II fatalist to let that
worry him unduly. So he merely stified
a yawn. and again turned to Lakington
$50 II was you, my little one, whose
fairy face l saw pressed against the
window. Would II be indiscreet to ask
how you got the dope into us?"
I.akington looked at him with an ex-
preston Of grim satisfaction on his
face.
you were gassed. II you want to
know. An admirable invention Of my
friend Kaufrner's nation"
A cultural chuckle came from one
of the men. and Hugh looked at him
grimly.
THE scum certainly would not be
complete" he remarked to Peterson,
without a filthy Boche In IT"
The German pushed back his chair
with an oath. his face purple with
passion.
"A filthy Boche." he muttered thick
ly. lurching toward Hugh. Hold him
the arms OF. and l will the throat tear
out.
1t all happened SO quickly. At one
moment Hugh was apparently intent
upon selecting a cigarette, the next
instant the case had fallen to the
floor; there was a dull, heavy thud,
and the Boche crashed back. over
turned chair, and fell like log to
the floor. his head hitting the wall with
q vicious crack. The bloodshot being
resumed his seat little Imply. Hugh
resumed his search for a cigarette.