The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1921-06-10

glass off. So, as couldn't see to kill
him, l had to Join the picnic here"
Hugh laughed, and then suddenly
grew serious.
"By the way, you didn't see a man
chewing gum on the horizon, did you.
when l made my entrance? Dogrob-
her suit, and face like motor-mas
cot"
'~Thank God, was spared that!" re.
marked Algy.
Good" returned Hugh. Hes prob
ably away with it by now, and he's
no fool For I'm thinking it's only
Peter and him between us and" He
left his remark unfinished, and for q
while there was silence. Jerry is
over in France still, putting stamp
paper on his machine; Ted's gone up
to see that Potts is taking nourish-
ment."
"And here we sit like three we'll
preserved specimens in a bally
museum" broke in Algy, with a rue
full laugh. "Whatn they do to us,
Hugh?"
But Drummond did not answer, and
the speaker, seeing the look on his
race, did not press the question.
Slowly the hours dragged on, until
the last CLEANS of daylight had faded
from the skylight above, and a soli-
tary electric light, hung centrally,
gave the only illumination. Period
1cally Heinrich had come in to see
that they were still secure: but from
the sounds Of the hOarse laughter
which came at frequent intervals
through the half-Open door, it was evil
dent that the German had found other
and more congenial company. At
'engtn ne appeared carrying a tray
with bread and water on it, which he
placed on table near Hugh.
rood for you, you English swine,"
he remarked, looking gloatingly at
each in turn. Herr darlington the or
der gave, so that you will fit be to-
morrow morning. Fit for the torture"
he thrust his flushed face close to
Drummond's, and then deliberately
spat at him.
Algy Longworth gave a strangled
grunt, but Drummond took no notice.
With quiet smile, he looked I'D at
the German
How much, my friend" he re-
marked, "are you getting for this?"
Tbe German leered at him.
Enough to see that you tomorrow
are here" he said
"And 1 always believed that YOURS
was business nation" laughed Hugh.
SAND pounds in notes in my cigarette
case
You hof, hof you" the German
grunted. "Then the filthy Boche will
for you Of them take care"
Hugh looked at him angrily.
If you do" he cried, you must let
me go"
The German leered still more.
"Naturlich. You shall out of the
house at once walk"
He stepped up to Drummond and
ran his hands over his coat, while the
others stared at one another in amaze
ment. Surely Hugh didn't imagine
the swine would really let him go; he
would merely take the money and
probably spit in his face again. Then
they heard him speaking, and a sudden
CLEAN of comprehension dawned on
their faces.
You'll have to undo one of the
ropes, my friend, before you can get
at It, said Hugh quietly
For moment the German hesitat-
ed. He looked at the ropes carefully {:
the one that bound the arms and the
upper part of the body was separate
from the rope round the legs. Even if
ne did undo it the fool Englishman
was still helpless, and he knew that he
was unarmed. Had he not himself re-
moved his revolver, as he lay uncon-
scious in the hall? What risk was
there, after all? Besides, if he called
some one else in he would have to
share the money
And, as he watched the Germans
1ndecisiOn, Hugh's forehead grew
damp with sweat. Would he undo
the rope? Would greed conquer eau
ton?
At last the Boche made up his mind.
and went behind the chair. Hugh
felt him fumbling with the ROPE, and
flashed an urgent look of caution at
the other two.
You'd better be careful, Heinrich, -
he remarked, that none Of the others
see, or you might have to share"
The German ceased undoing the
knot, and grunted. The English swine
had moments of brightness, and he
went over and closed the door, Then
he resumed the operation of untying
the rope; and, since it was performed
behind the chair he was in no position
to see the look on DrummOnd's face.
Only the two spectators could see
that, and they had almost ceased
breathing in their excitement That
,, he had q plan they knew; what It was
they could not even guess
Al last the rope fell clear and the
! German Sprang back
Pat the case Oh the table" tie cried.