The Raymer enterprise., 1921-11-24
Cyril McNeile
"SappW"
ceyy.sshs b. Geo. 4 psssa o.

that, at last, this wretched meddler
with things that concerned him not
had been laid by the heels. Which
was as unfortunate for the chauffeur
as It had been for unwary Huns In
the past.
Contemptuously he rolled Drum
mOnd over; then, noting the relaxed
muscles and inert limbs, he laid his
gun on the ground preparatory to run
ming through his victims pockets. And
the fact that such an action was
little more foolish than Offering man.
eating tiger a peppermint lozenge did
not trouble the chauffeur. In fact,
nothing troubled him again.
He got out one gasping cry Of ter
ror as he realized his mistake; then
he had a blurred consciousness Of the
world upside down, and everything
was over. 1t was Olaki's most danger
GUS throw. carried out by gripping the
victims wrists and hurting his body
over by a heave Of the legs. And nine
times out Of ten the result was a
broken neck. This was one Of the
nine.
For while the soldier stared at the
body. frownlng thoughfdlly. To have
killed the chauffeur was inconvenlent.
but since 1t had happened 1t neces.
STATED little arrangement Of his
plans. The moon was setting and the
night would become darker. so there
was q good chance that Lakington
would not recognize that the driver
Of his car had changed. And II he
dld-well, 1t would be necessary to
forego the somewhat theatrical enter
talnment he had staged for his benefit
at The Elms. Bending over the dead
man, he removed his long grey driv-
ing.coat and cap; then, without q
sound, he threaded his way through
the bushes In search Of the car.
He found 1t about hundred yards
nearer the house. 50 well hidden In
a small space of the road that be
was almost on top Of II before be real
lied the fact. To his relief II was
empty. and placing his own cap In q
pocket under the seat he put on the
driving coat Of his predecessor. Then.
with q quick glance round to ensure
that everything was In readiness for
the immediate and rapid departure
such A. he imagined Lakington would
desire. he turned and crept stealthily
toward the house.
LAidley Towers was en- fete. The
duchess, determined that every con.
ceivable stunt should be carried out
which would make for the entertain.
ment Of her guests, had spared no
pains to make the evening a success.
The duke. bored. to extinction, had
been Ave times routed out Of his study
BY his indefatlgable spouse. and was
now. at the moment Hugh first came
in sight Of the house, engaged In shak.
Ing hands with q tall, aristocratic-
looking Indian. :.
How d'y do" he murmured va.
cantly. What did you say the dam
fellah's name was, my dear2" he whis.
pered In a hoarse undertone to the
duchess, who stood beside him vel.
coming the distinguished foreigner.
"We're so glad you could come, Mr..
Ram Dar." remarked the duchess af.
fably. Everyone Is 30 looking for
ward to your wonderful entertain.
ment." Round her neck were the his
toric pearls. and as the Indian bowed
low over her outstretched hand, his
eyes cleaned for a second.
1t had been the marquis Of Laidley
himself who had suggested getting
hold OF this most celebrated perform
er. who had apparently never been
In England before. And since the
marquis Of Laidley's coming -of-age
was the cause Of the whole evenings
entertainment. his suggestion had
been hailed with acclamation. How
he had heard about the Indian, and
from whom, were points about which
he was very vague; but since he was
a very vague young man, the fact
elected no comment. The main thing
was that here, In the flesh, was q
dark. mysterious performer of the oc-
cult. and what more could a house
party require? And ln the general
excitement Hugh Drummond crept
closer to the open window. Suddenly
his jaw frightened; lrma Peterson had
entered the room with young Laidley.
DO you want anything done. Mr..
Ram Dar1' asked the duchess-"th
lights down or the window shutr'
"No, I thank you" returned the In
dian. II am ready. Who first will
learn Of the things that are written on
the scroll OF F'ateT
And 1t was at that moment that the
intent watcher outside the window
began to shake with silent mirth. For
the face was the face Of the Indian,
Ram Oar, but the voice was the voice
Of Lakington. It struck him that
the next ten minutes or 50 might be
well worth while. The problem Of re.
moving the pearls from the duchess
neck before such an assembly seemed
to present q certain amount of dlfi.
Guilty even to such an expert as Henry.
And Hugh crept a little nearer the