The Arvada enterprise., 1921-08-25

Drummoud leaned back In his chaif
and regarded his host with faint
smile.
~ must come to you for lsssSsA nf.
Peterson. Though I frankly admit
he added genially, "that l have never
been brought up to regard the forcibls
abduction of q harmless individual and
/ friend who IL sleeping on the enects
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 abb
ruptly to the servant who came into
the room, "and put him to bed. will
consider what to do with him in the
morning"
"Oonsider be DID," howled Mul-
lings, starting forward angrily. you'll
consider 4 thick ear. Mr.. Blooming
Know-all. What wants to know
The words died away in his mouth,
and he gaxed at Peterson like bird
looks at q snake. There was some
thing 20 ruthlessly malignant In the
stare Of the gray-blue eyes that the
ex.soldier who had viewed going over
the top with comparative equanimity
AZ being part Of his Job quailed and
looked apprehensively at Drummond.
"Do what the kind gentleman tells
you. Mullings." said Hugh, ''and 90 to
bed" He ut q cigarette. and thought
fully blew out 4 cloud Of smoke.
"Stop this fOoling," snarled Peter
son. "Where have you hidden POttsT
"Tush. tush," murmured Hugh. "You
surprise me. 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 a moment he thought that Pc
terson was going to strike him, and his
own fist clenched under the table.
II wouldn't. my FRIEND" he said
quietly, Indeed wouldn't. Because
II you hit me, shall most certainly
hit you. And 1t will not improve your
beauty"
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 momentary
loss Of composure. Drummond's hst
unclenched, and he stole look at the
girl. She was in her favorite attitude
on the sofa, and had not even looked
up.
II suppose that It 10 quite useless
for me to argue with you." said Peter
son after q while.
n was q member Of my school de-
batting society,"" remarked Hugh remi-
niDcsntly. "But 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 am in earnest"
II should be sorry to think No." an
swsrsd Hugh. "lf that 10 the best
you can do, I'd cut It right out and
start q tomato farm"
The girl gave q little gurgis q
laughter and 1T another cigarette.
"Will you come and do the danger
ous part Of the work for 10, Monsieur
Hushf' she asked.
"If you promise to restrain the little
fellows, I'll water them with pleas
urs." returned HUH lightly.
Peterson rose and walked over to
the window, whsre he stood motion
lees, staring out into the darkness.
Hugh realised that the situation was
what In military phrassology might BE-
termed critical. There were In the
house probably half . dossn msn who,
like their master. were absolutely un-
acrupulous. II II suited Pstsrsoa's
book to kill him. he would not hesitate
to do 20 for . single seeopd,-
For moment the thought crossed
his mind that he would take no
chances BY remaining 10 the house /:
that he would rush Peterson from
behind and escape into the darkness
of the garden. But II was only mo-
mentary-gons almost bsfers It had
come, for Hugh DrummoHd was not
that manner Of sman-gone even before
he noticed that Peterson was standing
In such q positioa that be could ~
every detail Of the room behind him
reflected In the glass through which
be stared.
DseA HssA aaA Pssssssa .as.
rswiy sssa1s dsash in tAs dask.
ITO m coNTINU0p.)