Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1921-10-26
CHAPTER ~.
ln<Whch He Spends Quiet Night at
the Elms.
ONE.

ONE.
ut is a little difficult to know what
to do with you, young man." said Pc
tersOn gently, after a long silence. II
knew you had no tact"
Drummond leaned back in his chair
and regarded his host with a faint
smile.
81 must come to you for lessons, Mr..
Peterson. Though l frankly admit"
he added genially. that l have never
been brought up to regard the forcible
abduction of a harmless individual and
a friend who is sleeping off the effects
of what low people call a 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 alb
ruptly to the servant who came into
the room, ''and put him to bed. l will
consider what to do with him in the
morning"
Consider be i'd" howled Null
lings, starting forward angrily. You'll
consider a thick ear, Mr.. Blooming
Know-all. What I wants to know"
The words died away in his mouth,
and he gazed at Peterson like bird
looks at a snake There was some
thing so ruthlessly malignant in the
stare of the gray-blue eyes that the
eX-SOldier 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 lit cigarette, and thought
fully blew out cloud of smoke.
stop this fooling," snarled Peter
son. "Where have you hidden Potts"
'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 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 l 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. Drummond's fist
unclenched, and he stole look at the
girl She was in her favOrite attitude
on the sofa, and had not even looked
up.
ST suppose that it is quite useless
for me to argue with you," said Peter
son after while.
81 was member of my school de-
batting society" remarked Hugh remi-
niscently. "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"
81 should be sorry to think So" an
swered Hugh. IF that is the best
you can do, I'd cut it right out and
start tomato farm"
The girl gave a little gurgle of
laughter and lit another cigarette.
evil you come and do the danger
Gus part of the work for US, Monsieur
Hugh?" she asked.
eff 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 half a dozen men who,
like their MASTER were absolutely I'M
scrupulous. If it suited Peterson's
book to kill him, he would not hesitate
to do so for single second.
For 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