Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1921-10-26

OF the SaTuon. but II was oIiiH NV
mentary-gone almost before 1t had
come, for Hugh Drummond was not
that manner of man-gone even before
he noticed that Peterson was standing
in such position that he could see
every detail of the room behind him
reflected in the glass through which
he stared.
A fixed determination to. know what
lay in that sinister brain replaced his
temporary indecision. Events up tee
date had moved so quickly that he had
hardly had time to get his bearings;
even now the last twenty-four hours
seemed almost a dream. And as ne
looked at the broad back and massive
head of the man at the window, and
from him TO the girl idly smoking on
the sofa, he smiled a little grimly. He
had Just remembered the thumbscrew
of the preceding evening. Assuredly
the demobiliZed officer who found
peace dull was getting his moneys
worth: and Drummond had q shreWd
suspicion that the entertainment was
only just beginning.
A sudden sound outside in the gar
den made him look up quickly. lie
saw the white CLEAN of shirt front,
and the next moment a man pushed
open the window and came unsteadlly
into the room. 1t was Mr.. Benton, and
quite obviously he had been seeking
consolation in the bottle.
i1a2 10 demanded
thickly. steadying himself with hand
on Peterson's arm.
II 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-
sive stare into the darkness.
The girl took not the slightest notice
of the new arrival, who gazed stupid
Nv at Drummond across the table.
"We seem to be moving in an at
mosphere of cross-purposes, Mr.. Ben
ton" said the soldier affably. II hope
your daughter is quite well.
"Er-quite, thank you," muttered
the other.
"Tell her, will you, that l 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 you?" he said quietly.
Drummond stood UP.
81 ordered my car for ten o'clock"
he answered. II am quite sure that
| shall be more useful to Mr.. Peter
son at large than l am cOoped up
here. l 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 l was wondering whether lit
tie persuasion now-might not give me
all the information | require more
quickly and with less trouble
A fleeing vision of mangled, pulp
like 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 night, and for an
instant his breath came a little faster.
Then he smiled, and shook his head.
Il think you are rather too good a
judge of human nature to try anything
50 foolish he said thoughtfully. you
see, unless you kill me, which 1 don't
think would suit your book, you might
find explanations little difficult to-
morrow"
For a 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. or
ma, is the blue room ready? If so,
tell Luigi to show Captain Drummond
to it,
81 will show him myself" she an
swered, rising.
Hugh saw a look of annoyance pass
over PetersOn's face as he turned
to follow the girl, and it 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 room
and switched on the light Then she
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