The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-08-04

by the unkempt man on the sofa, who,
without warning, exploded unexpected
ly.
"A truce to all this fooling," he
burst forth in a deep rumble; II con-
fess l do not understand 1t. Are we
assembled here tonight, comrades, to
listen to private quarrels and stupid
talk?"
A murmur Of approval came from
the others, and the speaker stood up
waving his arms.
~ know not what this young man
has done: I care less. In Russia such
trifies matter not. He has the appear
ance Of a bourgeois, therefore he must
die. Did we not kill thousands-aye,
tens Of thousands Of his kidney, before
we obtained the great freedom? Are
we not going to do the same In this
accursed countryi XIII him now
throw him In a corner and let us pro-
ceed."
He sat down, amidst a murmur of
approval, in which Hugh Joined heart
lily.
Splendid" he murmured. "A mag
nifcent pe~rOration. Am I right, sir,
In assuming that you are what is vul-
carly known as a B~olshevist"
The man turned his sunken eyes,
glowing with the burning fires of fanat-
icism, on Drummond.
II am one Of those who are fighting
for the freedom Of the world" he cried
harshly, "for the right to live Of the
p%roletariat." He flung out his arms
wildly. ut is freedom; 1t is the dawn
Of the new age"
Hugh looked at him with genuine
curiosity 1t was the first time he had
actually me n of these wild vision
aries in the flesh. And then the curl.
osity was succeeded by a very definite
amazement: what had Peterson to do
with such as he?
For the moment his own deadly risk
was forgotten: a growing excitement
filed his mind. Could 1t be possible
that here, at last, was the real object
of the gang; could it be possible that
Peterson was organizing a deliberate
plot to try and Bolshevize England2
He looked up to find Peterson regard
Ing him with a faint SMILE
1T Is a little difficult to understand,
isn't 1t, Captain Drummond?' he said.
carefully flicking the ash of his cigar
II told you you'd find yourself in deep
water" Then he resumed the contem-
plation of the papers In front Of him.
Hugh half closed his eyes, while a
general buzz Of conversation broke out
round the table.
Fragments OF conversation struck his
ears from time to time. The intimi-
dated rabbit, with the light of battle
in his watery eye, was declaiming on
the glories Of wOrkmen's councils; q
bullet-headed man was shouting an in
spring battle cry about no starvation
wages and work for all.
"Can 1t be possible" thought Hugh,
grimly, that such as these have the
power to control big destiniesr And
then, because he had some experience
Of what M unbalanced brain, whose
owner could talk, was capable Of
achieving; because he knew something
about mob psychology, his half con-
temptuous amusement changed to Q
bitter foreboding.
"You fOolv" he cried suddenly to
the Russian; and everyone ceased talk
ing. you poor ID boob! You-and
your new earth! In Petrograd today
bread Is two pounds four shillings a
pound tea, fifteen pounds a pound. Do
you call that freedom?" He gave q
contemptuous laugh.
Too surprised to speak, the Rus
sian sat staring at him; and it was
Peterson who broke the silence with
his suave voice.
"YOur distress, l am glad to say,
is not likely to be one of long dura-
tion," he remarked. I'm fact, the time
has come for you TO retire for the
night, my young friend"
He stood up smiling; then he walked
over to the bell behind Hugh and rang
II.
dead or mad-I wonder which,"
He threw the end of his cigar into
the CRATE as Hugh rose. "While we
deliberate down here on various mat
ters Of Importance we shall be think
ing Of you upstairs-that is to. say,
II you get there. l see -ha Lexington
is even now beginning - gloat in
pleasant anticipation"
Not a muscle on the soldiers face
twitched; not by the hint Of a look
did he show the keenly watching au-
dience that he realized his danger.
L~akingtOn's face was merciless, with
It's fiendish look Of anticipation, and
Hugh stared at him with level Eyes
for a while before he turned toward
the door.
"Thcn I will say Good night" he
remarked casually. SIS it the same
room that I had last timer"
"No," said Peterson. "A different
one-specially prepared for you. II
you get TO the top Of the stairs a man
will show you where 1t is" He opened
the door and stood there smiling.
And at that moment all the lights
went out.