Evening star., 1921-04-22
CONTINUED from Yesterdays Starr

Have you ever seen woman
skinned alive?" he howled. wildly,
thrusting his face forward at Hugh.
Have you ever seen men killed with
the knotted rope; burned almost to
death and then set free. charred and
mutilated wrecks? But what does it
matter provided only freedom comes,
as it has in Russia. Tomorrow 1t
will be England; in a week the world
|. Even if we have to wade
through rivers of blood up to our
throats, nevertheless it will come. And
in the end we shall have a new earth
Hugh lit a cigarette and leaned back
in his chair.
ut seems a most alluring program"
he murmured. And / shall have much
pleasure in recommending you as
manager of a babies creche. 1 feel
certain the little ones would take to
you instinctively."
He half closed his eyes. while a gen.
eral buzz of conversation broke out
round the table. Tongues had been
loosened, wonderful ideals conjured
up by the Russians inspiring words;
and for the moment he was forgotten.
Again and again the question ham,
mered at his brain-what in the name
of Buddha had Peterson and Laking-
ton to do with this crowd? Two in
tensely brilliant. practical criminals
mixed up with bunch of ragged
trousered Missionaries, who. to all in
tents and purposes, were insane. I.
Fragments Of conversation struck
his ears from time to time. The in
timidated rabbit, with the light of
battle in his watery eye. was declaim-
ing on the glories of workmen's coun-
ellis; bullet-headed man who looked
f-th ha- D,1
was shouting an inspiring battle-dry
about no starvation wages and work
for all.
Can it be possible" thought Hugh,
grimly, that such as these have the
power to control big destinies?" And
then, because he had some experience
of what one unbalanced brain, whose
owner could talk, was capable of
achieving: because he knew some
thing about mob psychology. his half
contemptuous amusement changed to
bitter foreboding.
you fool" he cried suddenly to
the Russian: and every one ceased
talking. You poor damned boob! You
and your new earth. In Petrograd
today bread is two pounds four shill-
ings a pound; tea, fifteen pounds a
pound. Do you call that freedom? Do
you suggest that we should wade to
that, through rivers of blood?" He
gave a contemptuous laugh. II don't
maggoty brain or your insanitary ap-
perance."
Too surprised to speak, the Russian
sat staring at him. and it was Peter
son who broke the silence with his
suave voice.
Your distress, am glad to say, is
not likely to be one of long duration"
he remarked. TN fact. the time has
come for you to retire for the night,
my young friend"
He stood up, smiling. then he walk
ed over to the bell behind Hugh and
rang it.
Dead or mad wonder which" He
threw the end of his cigar into the
CRATE as Hugh rose. while we de-
liberate down here on various mat
ters of Importance we shall be think
ing Of you upstairs-that is to say.
If YOU get there. 1 see that Laking-
ton is even now beginning to 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. He
might have been an ordinary guest
preparing to go to bed. and in Peter
sons face there shone for a moment
a certain unwilling admiration. Only
Lakington's was merciless. with Its
1endsh look in anticipation. and
Hugh stared at him with level eyes
for while before he turned toward
the door.
Then I will say Goodnight. he
remarked. casually. "Is it the same
room that had last time?"
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.
II.
Tho darkness could be feit, a. zeal
darkness inside 4 house always can
be felt. Not the faintest glimmer