The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-11-17

monotonOus regularity; at times 1t re-
sembled a brass band-at others 1t
died away to a gentle murmur. And
occasionally 1t was punctuated with
stranRled snort.
"Great Scott - muttered Hugh ex-
citedly, the whole boiling bunch are
asleep. or I'll eat my hat"
Then who was it Spoken said Algy.
AT least two of 'em are awake right
enough"
And. as if in answer to his question,
there came the voice again from in
side the room.
''Wal. Mr.. Darrell, guess we can
pass on, and leave this bunch"
With one laugh of joyful amaZement
Hugh flung open the door, and found
himself looking from the range Of a
yard into two revOlvers.
Il don't know how you've done it,
boys" he remarked but you can put
those guns away. I hate looking at
them from that end"
What the devil have they done to
all your dials?" said Darrell, slowly
lowering his arm.
wen leave that for the time,'' re-
turned Hugh grimly. as he shut the
door. There are other more pressing
matters to be discussed
He glanced round the room, and a
slow grin spread over his face. There
were some twenty of the gang, all of
them fast asleep. They sprawled gro
tesquely over the table. they lolIed in
chairs; they lay on the floor, they hud-
1IAI in nd Will
tiOn, they SnOred and snOrted.
"a dandy bunch" remarked the
American, gazirg at them with salts
faction. Then he turned to Drum
mOnd. Say now. Captain, we've got
a lorry load of the boys outside; your
friend here thought we'd better bring
'em along. SO IFS up TO you TO get
busy"
"MunngS and his crowd" said Oar
rell, seeing the look of mystihcatiOn on
Hugh's face.
For a FEW moments DrummOnd
stood, deep in thought; then once
again the grin spread slowly over his
face. Get the boys in. Peter: and
get these Jumps of meat carted out to
the lorry. And. while you Go it, Vel
so upstairs anu mop UP.
THREE.
Even in his widest dreams Hugh
had never imagined such wonderful
opportunity. To be in complete pos
session of the house. with strong
forces at his beck and call, was a state
of affairs which rendered him almost
speechless.
Keep your guns handy" whispered
Hugh. Wen draw each room in
turn till we find the girl
But they were not to be put to so
much trouble. Suddenly a door OppO-
site opened and the man who had
been guarding Phyllis Benton peered
out suspiciOuSly. His jaw fell and a
look Of aghast surprise spread over
his face as he saw the four men in
front of him.
Hugh stepped past him and was
smiling at the girl who. with a little
cry of joyful wonder, had risen from
her chair.
Your face. boy" she whispered, as
he took her in his arms. regardless OF
the others, your poor old face! Oh,
InaL DFules 1dkluSIOu-
lie laughed gently, and for a mo-
ment she chung to him, unmindful Of
how he had got to her. Slorying only
in the fact that he had. II seemed to
her that there was nothing which this
wonderful man of hers couldn't man
age; and now, blindly trusting, she
waited TO be told what TO do. The
nightmare was over; Hugh was with
her. e..
Are there any cars outsider" Hugh
turned 10 the American.
Yours" answered that worthy.
And mine is hidden behind Miss
Benton's greenhouse unless they've
moved it," remarked Algy.
Good said Hugh "Algy, take
Miss Benton and her father up to Half
Moon street-at once. Then come back
here"
"But. Hugh" began the girl ap-
pealingIy.
AT once, dear, please He smiled
at her tenderly. but his tone was de
cided. This is going to be no place
| for you in the near future
With no further word Of protest the
girl followed Algy, and Hugh drew
a breath Of relief.
Nov. you ugly-loOking bllghter,' IS
he remarked to the covering rufian,
who was by this time shaking with
fright, I'VE come to you. When does
Lakington return?'
'Termorrow. sir" stammered the
other.
] where IS he nOw?"
The man hesitated for a moment.
but the look in Hugh's eyes galvan-
/ lied him into speech.
Hes after the old wOman's pearls,
sir-the duchess OF Lampshire's."
"AhI" returned Hugh softly. "Of