The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1921-05-10
CHAPTER Nv.
CHAPTER
IN Which He Spends a Quiet Niaht at
the Elms

=" WHICH ne OPSn08 q QOlSS Nl0nt AZ
the Etns.
ONE.
: ut is little difficult to know what
to do with you, young man. said Pc
terson gently, after long silence. 81
knew you had no TACT
Drumm0nd leaned back in his chair
and regarded his host with a faint
smile.
Il must come to you for lessons, Mr..
Peterson. Though I frankly admit, -
he added genially, "that have never
been brought up to regard the forcible
abduction Of harmless individual and
: friend who is sleeping off the effects
Of what low people call jag as being
exactly typical of that admirable quail
ity."
Peterson's glance rested on the dis
heveled man still standing by the door,
and after a moments thought he
leaned forward and pressed bell.
'"Take that man away" he said alb
ruptly to the servant who came into
the room, "and put him to bed. 1 will
consider what to do with him in the
morning."
CONSIDER be ID" howled Null
lfngs, starting forward angrilv you'll
consider a thick ear. Mr.. Blooming
Know-all. What wants to know
The words died away in his mouth.
looks ut a snake There was some.
thing so ruthlessly malignant in the
stare Of the gray-blue eyes that the
ex-sOldier who had viewed going over
the top with comparative equanimity
as being part Of his job quailed and
looked apprehensively~a Drummond.
do what the kind gentleman tells
you, Mullings."" said Hugh, land go to
bed, He lit a cigarette, and thought
fully blew out cloud of smoke
"Stop this .foolinS." snarleu Peter
son. Where have you hidden l'otts?
Lush. tush." miirmU:ed Hugh. 'A on
surprise me. l had formed such
charming mental picture of YOU. Mr.
Peterson, as the strong. silent man
who never lost his temper and here
you are disappointing me- at the begin
ming OF our acquaintance.
For Il moment he thought that Pc
'erscn was going to strike him. and his
.'"n fist clcnched under the table
II wouldn't. my friend" he said
quietly. ''indeed I wouldn't. Because.
II you hit me- shall most certainly
hit YOU. And it will not improve your
heauty''
Slowly Peterson sank back in his
chair, and the veins which had been
standing out on his forehead became
normal again. He even smiled; only
the ceaseless tapping of his hand on
his left knee betrayed his monentary
loss of composure. Drummond's fist
unclenched, and he stole look at the
girl. She was in her favorite attitude
on the sofa, and had not even looked
up.
2 II suppose that 1t is quite useless
for me to argue With you" said Peter
son after while.
81 was a member of my school de-
batting society" remarked Hugh remi-
nfScently. "Rut I was never much
good. I'm too obvious for argument,
I'm afraid"
"YOu probably realize from what
has happened tonight" continued Pc
terson. ''that I am in earnest"
II should be sorry to think So" an.
swered Hugh. eff that is the best
you can do, I'd cut 1t right out and
start tomato farm"
The girl gave little gurgle OF
laughter and lit another cigarette.
"Will you come and do the danger
Hugh?" she asked.
IF you promise to restrain the little
fellows, I'll water them with pleas
ure." returned Hugh lightly
Peterson rose and walked over to
the window, where he stood motion.
less. staring out into the darkness.
Hugh realized that the situation was
what in military phraseology might he
termed critical. There were in the
Ike their master. were absolutely I'M
scrupulous. If 1T suited Peterson's
hook to kill him, he would not hesitate
10 do so for single second.
For moment the thought crossed
his mind that he would take no
chances by remaining in the house:
that he would rush Peterson from
behind and escape into the darkness
of the garden. But 1t was only mo-
mentary-gone almost before it 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
rejected In the glass through which
he stared.