The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-09-29

throw him in corner and let us pro-
ceed''
He sat down, amidst Il murmur of
approval, in which Hugh joined heart
lily.
splendid" he murmured. a mag
nificent peroratiOn. Am I right, sir,
in assuming that YOU are what is vul-
carly known as a Bolshevist?"
The man turned his Sunken eyes,
glowing with the burning fires of fanat-
icism. on Drummond.
Il am one Of those who are fighting
for the freedom of the world he cried
harshly. for the right to live of the
prOletariat." He flung out his arms
wildly. 1t is freedom; it is the dawn
of the new age"
Hugh looked at him with genuine
curiosity; it was the first time he had
actually met one Of these wild vision
aries in the flesh. And then the curl
Osity was succeeded by a very definite
amazement: what had Peterson to do
with such as he?
For the moment his own deadly risk
was forgotten a growing excitement
filled his mind. Could it be possible
that here, at last, was the real object
Of the gang; could it be possible that
Peterson was organizing a deliberate
plot to try and BOlshevize England?
He looked up TO find Peterson regard
ing him with a faint smile.
1t is Il little difficult to understand,
isn't it, Captain DrummOnd2' he said.
carefully Ticking the ash off his cigar
Il told you you'd find yourself in deep
water" Then he resumed the contem-
platiOn of the papers in front of him.
Hugh half closed his eyes, while a
general buzz of conversation broke out
round the table.
r. Fragments of conversation struck his
ears from time to time The intimi-
dated rabbit, with the light of battle
in his watery eye. was declaiming on
the glories of workmen's councils; a
bullet-headed man was shouting an in
spring battle cry 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 something
about mob psychology, his half con-
temptuOuS amusement changed TO a
bitter foreboding.
you fOoll" he cried suddenly to
the Russian; and everyone ceased talk
ing. You poor ID boob YOu-and
your new earth! In Petrograd today
/ bread is two pounds four shiIlings a
pound; tea, fifteen pounds pound Do
you call that freedom?" He gave a
contemptuOus laugh.
Too surprised to speak. the Rus
sian sat staring at him; and it was
Peterson who broke the silence with
his suave voice.
Your distress, I am glad to say,
is not likely TO be one of long dura-
uon," he remarked. in fact, the tine
has come for you to retire for the
night, my young friend
de stood up smiling; then he walked
over to the bell behind Hugh and rang
II.
Dead or mad-I wonder which"
He threw the end OF his cigar into
the CRATE as Hugh rose. while we
deliberate down here on various mat
tiers OF importance we shall be think
ing OF you upstairs-that is to say,
/ II you get there. see that Lexington
/ Is even now beginning to gloat in
! pleasant anticipation"
Not a muscle on the soldiers face
twltched; not by the hint of a look
did he show the keenly watching au-
dienee that he realized his danger.