Middletown transcript., 1921-08-06

SUCH Il etll-Dll VI SOSSlp lOI Tic lOIdi
alehOuSe been seen in the neighbOr-
hood; it would furnish a, topic of con-
verSatiOn for weeks to come. And still
Hugh sang and Peterson cursed; and
still the audience grew. Then, at last.
there came the police with notebook
all complete, and the singer stopped
singing to laugh.
The next moment the laugh frOZe on
his lips. Standing by the skylight, with
his revolver raised, was Lakington, and
Hugh knew by the expression of his
face that his finger was trembling on
the trigger. Out of view of the crowd
below he did not know of it's existence,
and, in flash, Hugh realized his dan
ger.
Good morrow, Henry" he said
quietly. Il wouldn't fire if | We're you.
We are observed, as they say in melo-
drama. If you don't believe me-" his
voice grew a little tense, lust wait
while talk to Peterson. who is at pres
ent deep in converse with the village
constable and several farm laborers."
1t is doubtful whether any action in
Hugh Drummond's life ever cost him
such an effort of will as the turning
of his back on the man standing two
yards below him, but he did it ap-
parently without thought. He gave one
last glance at the face convulsed with
rage, and then with smile he looked
down at the crowd below.
Peterson" he called out affably.
there's pal of yours up here-dear
old Henry. And le's very annoyed at
my concert. Would you just speak to
him, or would you like me to be more
explicit? He is so annoyed that there
might be an accident at any moment,
and l see that the police have ar
rived. So-er-"
Even at that distance he could see
Peterson's eyes of fury, and he chuck
led softly to himself. But when the
leader spoke, his voice was as suave
as ever; the eternal cigar glowed even
ly at its normal rate
"Are you up on the roof, Laking-
ton?' The words came clearly through
the still summer air.
Your turn, Henry" said Drummond.
''Prompter's voice off-'yes, dear Peter
son, l am here, even upon the roof,
with a liver Of hideous aspect"
With mighty effort Lakington con-
trolled himself, and his voice, when he
answered, was calm.
Eyes, I'm here. What's the matter?"
Nothing" cried Peterson, 'but
we've got quite a large and apprecia-
tive audience down here, attracted by
our friends charming concert, and I've
just sent for large ladder by which
he can come down and join us. So
there is nothing that you can do
nothing" He repeated the word with
a faint emphasis, and Hugh smiled
genially.
'Im interested in quite a number of
things, Captain Drummond," said LAX
ington slowly, "but they all count as
nothing beside one-getting even with
you. And when l do He
dropped the revolver into his coat
pocket, and stood motionless, staring
at the soldier.
The next instant he opened door
in the sl1ylight which Hugh had failed
to discover during the night, and
climbing down a ladder inside the
room, disappeared from view.
"HuIlo, old bean" A cheerful shout
from the ground made Hugh look
down. There, ranged round Peterson,
in an effective group, were Peter OAR
rell, Algy Longworth, and Jerry Sey-
mour. ''Birds-nestin'
"Peter, old SOUL" cried Hugh joy
fully, "I never thought the day would
come when l should be pleased to see
your face, but it has!'
"Ted and his pal, Hugh, have toddled
off in your car" said Peter, $50 that
only leaves us four and Toby"
For a moment Hugh stared at him
blankly, while he did some rapid men
tai arithmetic. He even neglected to
descend at once by the ladder which
had at last been placed in position.
"Ted and us four and Toby" made six
and six was the strength of the
party as it had arrived. Adding the
pal made seven; SO who the deuce
was the pal?
The matter was settled just as he
reached the ground. Lakington, Wild
eyed and almost incoherent, rushed
from the house, and, drawing Peter
son on one side, spoke rapidly in a
whisper.
ITS all right" muttered Algy rap
idly. 'They're halfway to London
by now, and going like h if I know
Ted"
1t was then that Hugh started to
laugh He laughed till the tears poured
down his face, and Peterson's livid
face of fury made him laugh still
more.
"Oh you priceless pair!' he sobbed.
Fright under your balIy noses. Stole
away! Yoicksw There was another
interlude for further hilarity. "Give
it up, you two old dears, and take to
knitting. Well, au revoir. Doubtless
we shall meet again quite soon. And,
above all, Carl, don't do anything in
Paris which you would be ashamed of
my knowing"
With a friendly wave he turned on
his heel and strolled off, followed by
the other three. The humor of the
situation was irresistible; the absolute
powerlessness of the whole assembled
gang to lift a finger to stop them in
front of the audience, which as yet
showed no signs Of departing, tickled
him to death. In fact, the last thing
Hugh saw, before corner of the