The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-07-14
"SAPPER"
Illustrations by
IRWIN MYERS
by Geo n Ooron OK

Drummond," he said at length. "How-
ever, perhaps 1t can walt two Or three
minutes while we get matters perfect
ly clear. I should dislike you not
knowing where you stand" He turned
round and faced the soldier. you
have deliberately, against my advice.
elected to Sight me and the interests
/ represent. So be 1t. From now on
the gloves are off. You embarked on
this course from a spirit Of adventure,
at the instigation Of the girl next
door. She, poor little fool, Is con-
cerned over that drunken waster-her
father. She asked you to help her
you agreed. and, amazing though 1t
may seem. up to now you have scored
q certain measure Of success. ! ad-
NIT 1t, and l admire you for 1t. /
apologize 10Y for having played the
fool with you last night; you're the
type Of man whom one should kill out
lright-Or leave alone"
He set down his coffee cup and care
fully shipped the end of a cigar.
you are also the type Of man who
will continue on the path he has start
ed. You are completely In the dark ;
you have no idea whatever what you
are up against" He smiled grimly,
and turned abruptly on Hugh. "You
fool-you stupid young fool. Do you
really imagine that you can beat me r
The soldier rose and stood In front
OF him.
u" have q few remarks Of my own to
make" he answered, "aDd then We
might consider the interview closed. I
ask nothing better than that the gloves
should be oft-though with your althy
methods Of fighting, anything you
touch will get very dirty. As you
say. ! am completely In the dark N to
your plans: but I have q pretty shrewd
idea what I'm up against. Men who
q employ q thumbscrew on q poor
defenseless brute seem to me to be
several degrees worse than an aborig1-
nal cannibal, and therefore II I put
you down as one Of the lowest types
Of degraded criminal I shall not be
very wide Of the mark. There's no
good you snarling at me, you swine
1t does everybody good to hear some
home truths-and don't forget 1t was
you who pulled of the gloves"
Drummond lit a cigarette; then his
merciless eyes fixed themselves again
ON Peterson.
There Is only one thing MORE" he
continued. "You have kindly warned
me Of my danger; let me give you a
word Of advice In my turn. I'm going
to fight you; II I can, I'm going to
beat you. Anything that may happen
to me Is part Of the game. But II
anything happens to Miss Benton dur.
ing the course Of operations. then. as
surely a there Ii q God above, Peter
son, I'll get at you somehow and muir
der you with my own hands,"
For q few moments there was 81
lence, and then with q short laugh
Drummond turned away. "Shall we
meet again soon1" He paused at the
door and looked back.
Peterson vas still standing by the
table. his face expressionless. every
soon, indeed, young man." he said
quietly. every soon indeed. . . !"
Hugh stepped out into the warm
sunshine and spoke to his chauffeur.
"TAke her ont into the main road.
Jenkins" ne said. "and wait for me
outside the entrance to the next house.
I shan't be long"
Then he strolled through the gar
den toward the little wicket-gate
that led to The Larches. Phyllisi
The thought Of her was singing in his
heart to the exclusion Of everything
else. Just q few minutes with her /;
just the touch Of her hand. the faint
smell Of the scent she used-and then
back to the game.
He had almost reached the gate,
when, with q sudden crashing In the
u~ndergrowth. Jem Smith blundsred out
into the path. His naturally rudy
face was white. and he stared round
~fearfully.
"0awdi SIR" he cried. "mind out.
Ave yer seen itr'
"Seen what, Jemf' asked Drum
mond.
'That there brute. 'E's escaped:
and n o meets q stranger" He
left the sentence unfinished. and
stood listening. From somewhere
behind the house tame q deep
throated, marling roar; then tn
clang Of q paddock shooting home In
metal, followed by q series Of heavy
thuds a. II some big animal was huri-
Ing itself against the bars Of q cAge.
They've got It." muttsred . Jem.
"YOu z to nave . nice little
crowd Of pets about the house." 10
marked Drummond, putting = hand On
the mans arm a. he was about TO
move on. what was that docils
creature we've inst hard calling -
IT. youngf'
The ex-pusiiist looked Il him sul-
le0ly.
Never Jon mind, SIR: Il fain't no
business of yours. An n I was yeu.
! wouldn't make 4 your businsau -
nn1 SGufsT x