The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-12-08

seemed almost dream. And a. he
looked al the broad back and massive
head OF the man al the window. and
from him 10 the girl idly smoking on
the sofa. he smiled little grimly. He
had lust remembered the thumhscrew
OF the preceding evening Assuredly
the demobiized 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 quieNy. lie
saw the white CLEAN Of shirt front,
and the next moment a man pushed
open the window and came unsteadily
into the room. II was Mr.. Benton, and
quite obviously he had been seeking
consolation 10 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-
slve stare into the darkness.
The girl took not the slightest notice
Of the new arrival, who gazed stupid
ly at Drummond across the table.
1--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.
TEL her, will 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 youf" he said quietly.
Drummond stood up.
81 ordered my car for ten o'clock"
he answered. IL am quite sure that
| shall be more useful to Mr.. Peter
son at large than am cooped up
here | might even lead him to this
hidden treasure which he thinks I've
got"
"You will do that, all right" re-
marked Peterson. But at the mo-
ment / was wondering whether Ut
tie persuasion now-might not give me
all the information | require more
quickly and with less trouble
A heeting vision Of a mangled, pulp
Ike thumb flashed across Hughs
mind; once again he heard that hide
Gus cry, half animal, half human,
which had echoed through the dark
ness the preceding hight, and for an
instant his breath cane a little faster.
Then he smiled. and shook his head.
Il think you are rather too good
judge Of human nature to try anything
50 foolish" he said thoughtfully. You
see. unless you kill me, which | don't
think would suit your book, you might
find explanations little difficult to-
morrow"
For while there was silence in the
room, broken at length by a short
laugh from Peterson.
For a young man. truly your per-
spicacity is great" he remarked. "lr-
ma. is the blue room readyi IL so,
tell Luigi to show Captain Drummond
to IT,"
II will show him myself" she an
swered. rising.
Hugh saw look OF annoyance pass
over Peterson's face as he turned
to follow the girl. and II struck him
that that gentleman was not best
pleased at the turn OF events. Then
the door closed, and he followed his
guide up the stairs.
The girl opened the door Of a room
and switched on the light Then she
faced him smiling, and Hugh looked
al her steadily. TELL me, you ugly
man" she murmured. why you are
such a fool"
Hugh smiled, and as has been said
before, Hughs smile transformed his
face.
Il must remember that opening" he
said. 1T establishes a basis Of in
timacy at once. doesn't itl'
She swayed little toward him,
and then. before be realized her in
tention. she put 8 hand on his shout
der
Don't you understand" she whis-
pered fercely. that they'll Kill your
She peered past him half fearfully,
and then turned 70 him again. GO.
you idiot. go-while there's time. Get
out q it-gp abroad, DO anything
bur don't fool round here.
1T seems a cheerful household" re-
marked Hugh with . smile. May
ask Why you're ali 80 concerned about
mes Your estimable father gave me
the same advice yesterday morning.
Don't ask Why she answered fe-
verishly. because ] can't tell you
Only you must believe that what I
say Is the truth-you must It's just
possible that II you 20 nov and tel
them where you've hidden the Ameri-
LIs4s