Evening star., 1921-05-05
Continued from Yesterdays Starr
CHAPTER XII.
| Which Lakington Plays His
Last Coup"

Toby, I've got sort of horrid
ceiling that the hunt is nearly over"
With regretful sigh Hugh swung
ne car out of the sleeping town
pf Godalming in the direction of
-asd!ey Towers. Mile after mile
iropped smoothly behind the power
ul two-seater, and still Drummond's S
yes wore a look of resigned sad
hess
Very nearly over" he remarked
gain 'And then once more the
|edium of respectability positively
tares US in the face"
You'll be getting married, old
|uily. i0p
For moment his companion
Frightened up.
True. o king" he answered. TT
VIII ease the situation somewhat; at
east. suppose so. But think of it,
Toby: no I-akington, no Peterson
keep one amused"
You're very certain, Hugh" With
feeling almost of wonder Sinclair
Elanced at the square-jawed. ugly
lrofiie beside him. There's many a
my dear old man." interrupted
prummond. there's only one cure for
he proverb-quoting disease dose
salts in the morning." For a
Fhile they raced on through the
karm summers night in silence. and
was not till they were within a
nile Of their destination that Sin
lair spoke again.
What are you going to do with
hem. Hugh?"
"Who-our Carl and little Henry?'
orummond grinned gently. why, I
hink that Carl and I will part
Imicably-unless, Of course. he gives
ne any trouble. And as for I.aking-
on-we'll have to see about Laking-
on. The grin faded from his face
. he spoke. We'll have to see
bout our little Henry" he repeated
loftly. And I can't help feeling.
roby. that between US we shall find
method of Kidding the earth of
Tuch a thoroughly unpleasing fell
ow."
"You mean to kill him." grunted
he other non-committally.
"Just that. and no more" respond
ID Hugh. Tomorrow morning as
ver is. But he's going to get the
hook Of his young life before it
He pulled the car up silently In
he deep shadows of some trees. and
he two men got out.
"Now. old boy. you take her back
o the Elms. The ducal abode is
Hose to-I remember in my extreme
Fouth being worse than passing sick
by those bushes over there after a
|'But confound it ALL" spluttered
Toby Sinclair. Don't you want me
o help you7"
T do-by taking the buzzboS
pack. This little show is my shout
Grumbling disconsolately, Sinclair
IL 1o
You make me tired" he remarked
beevishly. 'I'll be damned IL you
get any wedding present out of me
n fact" and he fired Parthian
hot at his leader. you won't have
elf"
For a moment or <wo Hugh stood
Watching the car as IL disappeared
Town the road along which they had
ust come. while his thoughts turned
o the girl now safely asleep in his
lat in London. Another week-per-
haps fortnight-but no more. Not
Pleasant conviction that Phyllis
would not require much pegsuas ion
o come round to his way Of think
ng-even If she hadn't arrived there
lready. And so delightful was
he train Of thought thus conjured
p that for while Peterson and
Arlington were forgotten. The rose
tie dreams of the young about to
ved have been known to act similar
before.
Wherefore to the soldiers instinc-
i've second nature. trained in the
var and sharpened by his grim duel
With the gang. must be given the
redit OF preventing the ringing OF
he wedding bells being postponed for
,ood. The sudden snap Of twiS
lose by. the sharp hiss of a COM
ressed-air rifle, seemed simultaneous
nth Hugh hurting himself fiat on his
ace behind a sheltering bush. In
eaIity there was that fraction of a
econd between the actions which
llowed the bullet to pass harmlessly
yer his body instead of finishing his
areeE there ans then. He heard it