The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-09-09
CHAPTER vll-cOntinued.

What" Lexington asked curiously,
"does he think you areT'
"A charming young girl" answered
Trina demurely, "whose father lost
his life In the war, and who at present
elses out precarlous existence in
government Office. At least, that's
what he told Lady Eruinpley-she's
the woman of unassailable virtue.
She was profoundly sentimental and
scents romance in addition to being
snob and seeming future duke, to
say nothing Of future duchess. BY
the mercy Of Allah she's on a. COM
inittee with his mother for distribut-
ing brown paper underclothes to des-
titute Belgians, and so Freddie wan
gled an invite for her. VOLTA tout"
Splendid" said darlington slowly,
splendid. Young nidley comes of
age in about week, doesn't he?
Monday, TO be exact; and so go
down with my dear aunt on Satur-
day"
darlington nodded bis head as If
satisfied, and men glanced at his
watch.
"What about bed?" he remarked.
"Not yet" said Peterson, hating
suddenly In his walk. Il must see the
Yank before l go to Paris. Wen
have him down here now. Give him
an injection, Henry-and, by God,
wen make the fool sign. Then can
actually take 1t over to the meeting
with me-"
He strobe to the door. followed by
darlington; and the girl In the chair
stood up and stretched her arms above
her head. For a moment or two Hugh
watched her; then he. too, stood up
right and eased his cramped limbs.
make the fool sign" The words
echoed through his brain, and he
stared thoughtfully at the grey light
which showed the approach of dawn.
What was the best thing TO do?
make" with Peterson generally inn
piled torture, If other means failed,
and Hugh had no intention of-watch-
Ing any man tortured. At the same
time something of the natrre Of the
diabolical plot conceived by Peterson
was beginning to take definite shape
IN his mind, though many OF the most
Important links were still missing.
And with this knowledge had come
the realization that he was no longer
a free agent. The thing had ceased
TO be mere sporting gamble with
himself and few other chosen spir-
its matched against gang of GRIM
inals; 1t had become-if his surmise
was correct-a national affair. Eng
land herself-her very existence-was
threatened by one Of the vilest plots
ever dreamed OF In the brain of man.
And then. with sudden rage at his
own impotence, he realized that even
now he had nothing definite to 60 on.
He must know more; somehow or
other he must get TO Paris; he must
attend that meeting ut the Ritz. Then
a sound from the room below brought
him back to his vantage point. The
American was sitting in chair. and
f.akington. with hypodermic syringe
In his hand. was holding his arm.
He made the injection, and Hugh
watched the millionaire. He was still
undecided as to how to act, but for
the moment at any rate, there was
nothing TO be done. And he was very
curious. to hear what Peterson had to
say to the wretched man. who. up to
date, had figured so largely in every
round.
After a while the American ceased
staring vacantly In front Of him. and
passed his hand dazedly over his fore
head. Then he half rose from his
chair and stared at the two men SIT
ting facing him. His eyes came round
to the girl. and with groan he sank
back again, plucking feebly with his
hands at his dressing gown.
Better. Mr.. Potts7" said Peterson,
suayely.
81" stammered the other.
.where am To-
AT The Films. Godalmlng, II you
wish TO know
II thought thought" He rose
swaying. "what do you want with
mel DIN you'll"
"Tush. tush," murmured Peterson.
"There Is a lady present. Mr.. Potts.
And our wants are so simple. Just
your signature to a little agreement.
By which in return for certain services
you promise to Join us In our-er-
labors In the near future"
Il remember" cried the millionaire.
New / remember. You swine-you
filthy swine. refuse absolute
ly.-
-Tne trouble Il. my friend. that you
are altogether too big an employer Of
labor to be allowed to refuse, as
pointed out to you before. You must
be In with ~ otherwise you might
wreck the scheme. Therefore / re-
quire your signature"
-And when yes've got H." cried the
American. what good win Il Be to
yox. / shah repudiate It.
-OAl no. Mr.. Potts." said Peterson
with thoughtful smile: Il can assure
you. you won't TIE distressing NAL
ady frvm which you have recently beea