The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-11-24

is. But he's going to get the shock
of his young life before it happens"
He pulled the car up silently in the
deep shadows of some trees, and the
two men got out
"Now. old boy. you take her back
TO The Films"
But confound it ALL spluttered
Toby Sinclair. Don't you want me
to help you?"
81 do: by taking the buzz-box back.
This little show is my shout"
For a moment or two Hugh stood
watching the car as it disappeared
down the road along which they had
just come. while his thoughts turned
to the CIR! now safely asleep in his
fiat in London. Another week-per-
haps a fOrtn!ght-but no more. Not
day more. And so delightful
was the train of thought thus con
jured up, tEat for a while Peterson
and Lexington were forgotten. The
roseate dreams of the young about to
wed have been known to act similarly
before.
Wherefore to the soldiers inStinc-
tive second nature. trained in the war
and sharpened by his grim duel with
the gang must be given the credit of
preventing the ringing of the wedding
bells being postponed for good. The
sudden snap Of a twig close by. the
sharp hiss Of n compassionate rifle,
seemed simultaneous with Hugh hurl-
ing himself flat on his face behind a
sheltering bush. In reality there was
that fraction of a second between the
actions which allowed the bullet TO
pass harmleSSly over his body instead
Of finishing his career there and then.
He heard it go tipping through the
underground as he lay mOtionless on
the ground: then very cautiously he
turned his head and peered about.
a shrub was shaking a few yards
away, and on it Hugh fixed his half
closed eyes. If lie lay quite stu The
man, whoever he was, would probably
assume the shot had taken effect, and
come and investigate. Then things
would be easier. as two or three
Boches had discovered to their cost
/ in days gone by.
For two minutes he saw no one
( then very slowly the branches parted
{ and the white face of a man peered
! through. 1t was the chauffeur who
usually drove the Rolls Royce, and
he seemed unduly anxious TO satisfy
himself that all was we'll before com
ing nearer. The fame of Hugh Drum
+ mond had spread abroad amongst the
satellites of Peterson.
AT last he seemed to make up his
mind, and came out into the open.
Step by step he advanced toward the
motionless figure, his weapon held in
readiness to shoot at the faintest
movement. But the soldier lay
Sprawling and inert, and by the time
the chauffeur had reached him there
was no doubt in that worthy's mind
that, at last, this wretched meddleT
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. AnC
the fact that such an action was 6
little more foolish than Offering a man
eating tiger n peppermint lozenge die
not trouble the chauffeur. In fact
nothing troubled him again.
He got out one gaSping cry of ter
rOr as he realized his mistake; theI
he had a blurred cOnsci Ousness of thu
world upside down. and eyerythin,
was over. 1t was Olaki'S most danger
Gus throw, carried out by gripping tn,
victims wrists and hurting his body
[ over by a heave of the legs. And min,
, times out Of ten the result was /
. broken neck. This was one of TIT
l nine.
For while the soldier stared at tn
D body. frOwning thOughtfuuy. To hav
r killed the chauffeur was inconvenient
: but since it had happened it neces
STATED a little Encouragement of hi
plans The moon was setting and tn
! night would become darker. so Their
r was a good chance that Lakingtol
f would not recognize that the drive
2 of his car had changed. And if b
= did-well, it would be necessary I
+ fOregO the somewhat theatrical ente
? tainment he had staged for his benef
at The Eims. Bending over the dea
h man. he removed his long grey dirty
ing-coat and cap; then. without
,, sound, he threaded his way throug
7 the bushes in search Of the car.
= He found it about a hundred yard
: nearer the house, so well hidden /
> a small space OF the road that b
> was almost on top Of it before he rea
o lied the fact. To his relief it wa
r empty, and placing his own cap in
pocket under the seat he put on Ii
+ driving-cOat Of his predecessor. The
f with a quick glance round to ensul
v that everything was in readiness Il
the immediate and rapid departul
d such as he imagined darlington woul