Middletown transcript., 1921-09-10

SlQG OF the central EOOlu was SiSAi'S
visible. In the three chairs sat the
motionless, bound figures so swathed
in rope that only the tops of their
heads were visible just. as Lakington
had left him and Toby and Algy earli-
er in the evening. The only moving
thing in the room was the criminal
himself, and at the moment he was
seated at the table with the Chinese
cabinet in front of him. With quick
turn of his wrist he pried open two
flaps of wood, and folded them back
against the side. Then he lifted out
parcel OF gold and silver tissue from
underneath.
"My hatw muttered Hugh, what a
fool was not to think of It! Just
false bottom actuated by closing
tie lid:
But the American, whistling gently
to himself, had his eyes fixed on the
rope of wonderful pearls which LAX
ington was holding lovingly in his
hands.
$50 easy, you scum" continued LAX
ington, "and you thought to pit your
selves against me'-he rose and stood
in front of the chair where he had
last left Drummond. "That fool Of
chauffeur failed to carry out my Or
ders, and create a diversion. You
will see what happens to people who
fail to carry out my orders, in a min
| ute. And after that you'll never see
anything again.
"Say, he's dream-that guy" NUT
tered the American. "What pearls
are those he's got?'
"The duchess of Lampshire's," whis-
pered Hugh. Lifted right under the
nose of the whole bally house party"
| The four watchers on the roof glued
their eyes to the glass. And the sight
| they saw q moment or two afterward
stirred even the phlegmatic Mr.. Green.
A heavy door was swinging slowly
open, apparently of its own vOlitlon,
though Hugh, stealing quick glance
at Lakington, saw that he was press
ing some small studs in niche in
one of the walls. Then he looked
back at the door, and stared dunn
founded. 1t was the mysterious cup
board Of which Phyllis had spoken to
him, but nothing he had imagined from
her words had prepared him for the
reality. 1t seemed to be literally cram
med to overf1owing with the ilost
priceless loot. Gold vessels Of fantas-
tic and beautiful shapes Uttered the
floor: while on the shelves were ar
ranged the most wonderful collection
Of precious stones which shOne and
scintillated in the electric light till
their glitter almost blinded the
watchers.
The pearls were carefully placed In
a position Of honor, and for few
moments Lakington stood gloatine
over his collection.
"Do you see them, Captain Drum
mond?" he asked quietly. each thing
obtained by my brain-my hands. AL
mine-mine His voice rose to 6
shout. "And you pit your puny wits
against me-" With laugh he crossed
the room and once more pressed the
studs. The door swung slowly to ant
closed without sound, while Laking
ton still shook with silent mirth.
sand now'-he resumed, rubbing hi
hands-"we will prepare your bath
CAPTAIN Drummond. And while it i
getting ready, we will just deal will
the chauffeur who neglected his or
r ders."
For a few minutes he bent owe
the chemicals, and then he poured tn
t mixture into the water which hal
filled the long bath at the end of tn
d room. "About five minutes befor
we're quite ready" he announced
\ "Just time for the chauffeur"
He went to speaking-tube, dow
8 which he blew. Somewhat naturall
! there was no answer, and LakingtO
y frowned.
t "A stupid fellow" he remarked soft
". "But there is no hurry; l vii
deal with him later"
Lakington returned to the chat
e which contained, as he thought, hi
S chief enemy, and was standing besid
v it with an unholy joy shining on hi
: face.
r "And since I have to deal with hil
later, Captain Drummond, d. 5. U
d NJ. c., may as well deal with 70
d now. Then it will be your friend
J. turn. l am going to cut the rope
70 and carry you. while you're so numbe
n that you can't move, to the bath. The
a I shall drop you in, Captain Drum
70 mond, and when. afterward, you pra
n for death. 1 shall mercifully spar
Is your life-fOr a while"
He slashed at the ropes behind tn
,r chair, and the four men craned TO
1t ward expectantly.
IS "There," snarled Lakington. IT
al ready for you, you young swine"
,t And even as he spoke, the wort
~ died away on his lips, and with
,e dreadful cry he sprang back. Ft
q. with dull, heavy thud the body
!? the dead German Heinrich rolled Q
n. the chair and sprawled at his feet.
of "My God!" screamed Lakingto
III "What has happened? IL"
% He rushed to the bell and pealed
). frantically, and with a smile OF j
in Hugh watched his frenzied terror. \
le one came in answer to the ring, an
Lakington dashed to the door, only
+" recoil into the room with choki1
Id noise in his throat Outside in Il
e. hall stood four masked men, ea'
al with a revolver pointing at his heal
"My cue," muttered Hugh. "AI
ye you understand, fellows, don't youS
Sc he's my meat"
in The next moment he had disa
peared down the ladder, and the thr'