The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-09-10

a moments indecision Drummond took
a running jump. and caught the riase
of the sloping roof on the side nearest
the road. From where he was he could
not see The Larches, and so he dld
not know what luck the American hau
had. But he realized that 1t was long
odds against his getting through, ana
that his chief hope lay in hlmseH. II
occurred to him that far too lew I'M
biased people knew where he was IL
further occurred TO him that It was
state of affairs which was likely 10
continue unless he remedied it himself.
And so. lust as Peterson came Strolllng
around a corner of the house followed
by several men and long ladder,
Hugh commenced to sing. He shouted,
he roared al the top of his very pow
erful voice, and all the time he watched
the men below with a wary eye.
1t was just as two laborers came IN
to investigate the hideous din that
Peterson's party discovered the ladder
was too short by several yards.
Then with great rapidity the audi
ence grew A passing milkman; two
commercial travellers, a gentleman of
slightly inebriated aspect, whose trous-
ers left much TO the imagination; and
finally more farm laborerS. Never had
such a tit-bit of gossip for the local
alehouse been seen in the neighbor-
hood; it would furnish topic of con-
yersation for weeks to come. And still
Hugh sang and Peterson cursed; and
still the audience grew. Then. at last.
there came the police with notebook
all complete. and the singer stopped
singing TO laugh.
The next moment the laugh froZe on
his lips. Standing by the skyliSht, With
his revolver raised, was Lexington, and
Hugh knew by the expression of his
face that his finger was trembling on
the trigger Out of view of the crowd
below he did not know of its existence,
and, in flash. Hugh realized his dan
ger.
Good morrow, Henry he said
quietly. Il wouldn't fire if / were you.
We are observed. as they say in melo-
drama If you don't believe me, his
voice grew little tense, lust wait
while talk to Peterson who is at pres
ent deep in converse with the village
constable and several farm laborers.
1t is doubtful whether any action in
Hugh Drummonds life ever cost him
such an effort Of will as the turning
of his back on the man standing two
| yards below him, but he did IT ap-
parently without thought. He gave one
| last glance at the face convulsed with
rage, and then with q smile he looked
| down at the crowd below.
Peterson" he called out affably,
there's pal of yours up here-dear
old Henry. And ae's very annoyed at
my concert. Would you just speak to
him, or would you like me TO be more
! explicit? He is SO annoyed that there
might be an accident at any moment,
| and l see that the police have ar
| rived SO-er@'
Even at that distance he could see
| PetersOn'S eyes of fury. and he chuck
| led softly to himself. But when the
| leader spoke. his voice was as suave
as ever; the eternal cigar giowed even
ly at its normal rate.
Are you up on the roof, Lakfng-
ton?'' The words came clearly through
the still summer air.
your turn, Henry" said Drummond.
"Prompter's voice off-'yes, dear Peter
son, l am here, even upon the roof.
! with liver of hideous aspect
With mighty effort Lexington con-
trolled himself. and his voice. when he
| answered, was calm.
"Yes, I'm here What's the matter!'
Nothing" cried Peterson, but
we've got quite large and aEprecia-
tive audience down here. attracted by
our friends charming concert, and I've
Just sent for large ladder by which
he can come down and join US. So
| there is nothing that you can do
nothing" He repeated the word with
faint emphasis, and Hugh smiled
genially.
I'm interested in quite number OF
things, Captain Drummond." said LAX
ington slowly, but they all count as
nothing beside one-getting even with
you. And when l do y HE
dropped the revolver into his coat
pocket. and stood motiOnless. staring
at the soldier.
The next instant he opened door
in the skylight which Hugh had failed
to discover during the night, and
climbing down a ladder inside the
room, disappeared from view.
"Hullo, old BEAM" A cheerful shout
from the ground made Hugh look
down. There. ranged round Peterson
in an effective group, were Peter Oar
rell, Algy Longworth, and Jerry Sey
mour "Bird's-nestin'?
"Peter, old SOUL" cried Hugh JOY
fully, II never thought the day would
come when l should be pleased to SEE
your face, but it has,"
"Ted and his pal, Hugh, have toddlet
of in your car" said Peter. 80 thai
only leaves US four and Toby"
For a moment Hugh stared at hin
| l,.nl..~ ,rb;lo no did como rand men