The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-15
CHAPTER VlI--Cortinued.

docs ne mink you are!
"A charming young GIRL" answered
Irma demurely, whose father lost
his life in the war, and who at present
ekes out a %preCarious existence in a
government office. AT least, that's
what he told Lady Frumpley-she's
the woman of unasSailable virtue.
She was profoundly sentimental and
scents a rOmanCe, in addition to being
a snob and seeming a future duke, TO
say nothing Of a future duchess. BY
the mercy Of Allah she's on a com
mittee with his mother for diStribut-
ing brown paper underclothes TO des-
titute Belglans, and so Freddie wan
gled m invite for her. VOLTA tout"
"Splendid," said Lexington slowly.
"Splendld. Young Laidley comes of
age In about a week, doesn't hep
Monday, TO be exact; and SO l go
down with my lear aunt on Satur-
day"
satisfied, and then glanced at his
watch.
what about bed?" he remarked.
"Not yet" said Peterson, hating
suddenly in his walk. II must see the
Yank before | 60 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 it 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 n 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 i'm
piled torture, If other means failed,
and Hugh had no intention of watch
ing any man tortured. At the same
time something Of the nature OF the
diabolical plot conceived by Peterson
was beginning TO take a 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 Il mere sporting gamble with
himself and q few other chosen spir-
its matched against a gang of Grim
fualS 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 a sudden rage at his
own impotence, he realized that ever
now he had nothing definite to go on.
He must know more; somehow or
other he must get 10 Paris; he must
attend that meeting at the Ritz. Then
q sound from the room below brought
him back TO his vantage point. The
American was sitting IN A chair, and
darlington. with a 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 10 the wretched man, who, up to
date. had figured so largely in every
round.
After q while the American ceased
staring vacantly in front of him, and
passed his hand dazedly over his fore
hnol TThnp hn half rosa from his
chair ana stared at the two men sit
ting facing him. His eyes came rOund
to the girl, and with a groan he sank
back again, plucking feebly with his
hands ~ his dressing gown.
Better, Mr.. Potts. said Peterson.
suavely.
IL" stammcred the other.
~Where am II"
at The Elms, Godalming, If you
wish to know"
81 thought thought He rose
swaying. what do you want with
me? Oh you"
"Tush. tush," murmured Peterson.
There is a lady present, Mr.. Potts.
And our wants are so simple. Just
your signature to II little agreement,
by which in return for certain services
you promise 10 join us in Our-er-
tabors in the near future
Il remember" cried the millionaire.
Nov | remember. You swine-you
filthy swine. l refuse . . absolute
IT,"
1.-The trouble is, 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 us, otherwise you might
wreck the scheme. Therefore l re-
Quire your signature"
"And when you've got It," cried the
American, what good will 1t be to
you. I shall repudiate It,"
"Oh no. Mr.. Potts" said Peterson
with a thoughtful! smile; II can assure
you. YOU won't. The distressing NAL