Judsonia weekly advance., 1921-07-21

terson gently, after long silence. "I knew you had no tact"
 Drummond leaned back in his chair and regarded his host with faint sunIle..
 T must come to you for lessons, MT. Peterson. Though I frankly admit" he added genially, "that l have never been brought up to regard the forcible abduction of a harmless individual and friend who is sleeping off the effects. of what low people call jag as beibsoo exactly typical of that admirahle onoi, ity."
 Peterson's glance reSt6d nm ,nr 5,.. oeveieu man stiil Standing by the door, anu alter assfhoment's thought he leaned forSSard foSard and pressed bell.
 that man away" he said ab- r1bfy to the servant who came into <the room, land put him to bed. I will consider what to do with him in the morning."
 Consider be d-d," howled Null lings, starting forward angrily. You'll consider thick ear, MT. Blooming Know-all. What l wants to know"
 The words died away in his mouth, and he gazed at Peterson like bird looks at snake. There was some thing so ruthlessly malignant in the stare of the gray-blue eyes that the ex-sodier who had viewed going over the top with comparative equanimity as being part of his job quailed and looked apprehensively at Drummond.
 Do what the kind gentleman tells you, Mullings," said Hugh, "and go to bed" He Tt a cigarette, and thought fully blew out cloud of smoke.
 "Stop this fooling," snarled Peter son. "Where have you hidden PottsY
 .'Tush, tush," murmured Hugh. You surprise me. I 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 Pe- terson was going to strike him, and his own fist clenched under the table.
 T wouldn't, my friend" he said quietly, indeed I wouldn't. Because if you hit me, shall most certainly hit you. And it 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. Drummonds fist unclenched, and he stole look at the girl. She was in her favorite attitude on the sofa, and had not even looked up.
 q suppose that it is quite useless for me to argue with you," said Peter son after while.
 T was member of my school de- batting society" remarked Hugh remi- niscently. ''But I was never much good. Pm too obvious for argument, I'm afraid"
 You probably realize from what has happened tonight" continued Pe- terson. that am in earnest"
 'I should be sorry to think so," an swered Hugh. If that Is the best you can do, I'd cut 1t right out and start tomato farm.'
 The girl gave a little gurgle of laughter and lit another cigarette.
 'WiIl you come and do the danger ous part of the work for us, Monsieur Hugh?" she asked
 "If you promise to restrain the little fellows, I'll water them with pleas ure." returned Hugh lightly.
 Peterson rose and walked over to the window, where he stood motion less, staring out into the darkness. Hugh realized that the situation was what in military phraseology might be termed critical. There were in the house probably halt a dozen men who, like their master, were absolutely un- scrupulous. If it suited Peterson's book to kill him, he would not hesitate to do so for single second.
 For a moment the thought crossed his mind that he would take no chances by remaining in the house that he would rush Peterson from behind and escape into the darkness of the garden. But it was only mo mentary-gone almost before it had come, for Hugh Drummond was not that manner of man-gone even before he noticed that Peterson was standing in such a position that he could see every detail of the room behind him reflected in the glass through which he stared.