The Raymer enterprise., 1921-10-27

running jump, and caught the ridge
Of the sloping roof on the side nearest
the road. From where be was be could
not see The Larches, and 30 be did
not know what luck the American had
had. But he realized that It was long
odds against bis getting through, and
that his chief hope lay in himself. 1t
occurred to him that far too few un.
biased people knew where he was; It
further occurred to him that 1t was
state Of affairs which was likely to
continue unless he remedied It himself.
And 80. Just as Peterson came strolling
around a corner Of the house followed
BY several men and q long ladder,
Hugh commenced to sing. He shouted,
be roared al the top Of his very pow
erful voice. and all the time he watched
the men below with q wary eye.
It was Just a. two laborers came In
u investigate the hideous din that
Peterson's party discovered the ladder
was too short BY several yards.
Then with great rapidity the audi.
ence grew. A passing milkman; two
commercial travellers, Q gentleman Of
slightly inebriated aspect whose trous.
err left much to the Imagination; and
finally more farm laborers. Never had
such q tit-bit Of gossip for the local
alehouse been seen In tho neighbor-
hood; It would furnish Z topic Of con.
versation for weeks to coma. And still
Hugh sang and Peterson cursed; and
still the audience grew. Then, at last,
there came the police with notebook
all complete. and the singer stopped
singing to laugh.
The next moment the laugh frozs on
his lips. Standing BY the skyiight, with
his revolver raised, was darlington, and
Hugh knew BY the expression Of his
face that his finger was trembling on
the trigger. Out Of view Of the crowd
below he did not know Of it, existence,
and, In fash, Hugh realized his dan.
ger.
Good morrow, Henry" he said
quietly. II wouldn't FIRE II I were you.
We are observed. as they say In melo-
drama. II You don't believe me-" his
voice grew q little tense. 'just wait
while talk to Peterson, who is 1t pres
ent deep In converse with the village
constable and several farm laborers."
1t Is doubtful whether any action In
Hugh Drummond's life ever cost him
such an effort Of win a. the turning
Of his back on the man standing two
yards below him, but he did II ap-
parently without thought. He gave one
last glance at the face convulsed with
rage, and then with Z smile be locked
down at the crowd below.
Peterson" he called ont afEably,
"there's q pal Of yours up here-dsar
old Henry. And hes very annoyed at
my concert Would you just speak to
him, or would you like me to be more
explicitf He u 70 annoyed that there
might be an accident at any moment,
and ! see that the police have sr-
rived. So-er-"
Even at that distance be could ses
Psterson's eyes Of fury, and he chuck.
led softly to himself. But when the
leader spoke. his voice was a. suave
- everi the eternal cigar giowed even,
ly at its normal rate.
Are you up Oh the roof. Laking-
tonr The words came clearly through
the still summer air.
"Your turn, Henry" said Drummond.
"Prompter's voice o6-'yss, dear Peter
son. I an here. even upon the roof.
with q liver Of hideous aspect"
With a mighty effort Lakington con-
trolled himself, and his voice. when he
answered. was calm.
"Yes. I'm here. What's the matterr
Nothing" cried Peterson, but
we've got quite large and apprecia.
tive audience down here, attracted by
our friends charming concert, and I've
Just. sent for large ladder by which
he can come down and Join US. SO
there Is nothing that you can do
nothing" He repeated the word with
faint emphasis, and Hugh smiled
genlally.
"I'm interested In quite a number Of
things, Captain Drummond." said LAX.
ington slowly, "but they all count as
nothing beside one-getting even with
you. And when l do :" He
dropped the revolver into his coat
pocket, and stood motionless, staring
at the soldier.
The next instant he opened door
In the skylght which Hugh had failed
to discover during the night, and,
climbing down ladder inside the
room. disappeared from view.
"Hullo, old BEAM A cheerful shout
from the ground made Hugh look
down. There. ranged round Peterson.
In an effective group, we're Peter Dar-
rell, Algy Longworth, and Jerry Sey-
mour. "Bird's-nestin'
Peter. old soul.' cried Hugh Joy
fully. II never thought the day would
come when I should be pleased to see
your face. but It has!"
"Ted and his pal, Hugh. have toddled
Of in your car" said Peter, $50 that
only leaves US four and Toby"
For q moment Hugh stared at him
blankly. while he did some rapid men-
tai arithmetic. He even neglected to