The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-08-05

civilians who acknowledge only two
rulers-the King and Hugh Drum
mond And they would willingly die
for either.
The result on Drummond was not
surprising; as nearly as a man may be
he was without fear. And when the
Idea came to him as he sat on the
edge Of his bed thoughtfully pulling on
his shoes, no question Of the possible
risk entered into his mind To explore
the house seemed the most natural
thing In the world, and with character
istic breyity he summed up the stu
alton as II struck him.
''They suspect me anyhow: in fact,
they know i took Potts. Therefore,
even II they catch me passage creep
ing, I'm no worse or than ! am now.
And l might find something Of inter-
est. Therefore. carry on, brave heart"
II was dars in the passage outside
as he opened the door Of his room and
crept toward the top Of the stairs. The
collar Of his brown lounge coat was
turned up, and his stocking feet made
no sound on the heavy pile carpet.
Like huge shadow he vanished into
the blackness, feeling his way forward
with the uncanny instinct that comes
from much practice. Every now and
then he paused and listened intently.
but the measured ticking Of the clock
below and the occasional creak Of a
board alone broke the stiffness.
To the left lay the room In which he
had spent the evening, and Drummond
turned to the right. AS he had gone
up to bed Q he had noticed door
screened by a heavy curtain which he
thought might be the room Phyllis
Benton had spoken pf--the room
where Henry Lakington kept his III
gotten treasures. He felt his way
along the wall, and Mt length his hand
touched the curtain-only to drop 1t
again at once. From close beside him
had comea sharp, angry hiss. -
He stepped back pace and stood
rigid, staring at the spot from which
the sound had seemed to conle-but
he could see nothing. Then he leaned
! forward and once more moved the
|. curtain. Instantly 1t came again,
sharper and ahgrier than before.
Hugh passed hand over his fore
head and found 1t damp. Germans he
knew, and things on two legs, but
what was this that Kissed so viciously
in the darknessf At length he deter
mined to risk It, and drew from his
pocket tiny electric torch. Holding
IL well away from his body, he
switched on the light. In the center
of the beam, swaying gracefully to
and fro, was snake. For moment
he watched 1t, fascinated1as II spat at
the light angrily /; he saw the fiat hood
where the vicious head was set on the
upright body; then he switched of the
torch and retteated rather faster than
he had come. 81
"a convivial household" he mutt
tered to himself through lips thatiwere
a ,little dry. "A hooded cobra Is an
uhpleasIng pet.n
Hugh had just determined to recon
hotter the curtained doorway again to
see IL It was possible to eircumvent
the snake, when low chuekle came
distinctly to bis ears from the landing
above
He flushed angrily In the darkness.
There was no doubt whatever as to
the human origin Of that laugh, and
Hugh suddenly realized that he was
making the most profound fool of him
self. TO be laughed at by some dirty
swine whom he could strangle in half
minute--wns impossible. His fists
,clenched, and. he swore softly under
his breath. Then as silently as he
had come down. he commenced to
climb the stairs again. He bad a hazy
Idea that he would Ike to hit some
thing-hard.
There were nine stairs In the first
half Of the flight, and 1t was as he
stood on the fifth that he again heard |
the low chuckle. At the same instant !
something whizzed past his head SO
low that II almost touched his hair,
and there was a clang on the wall be-
side him. He ducked instinctively,
and regardless Of noise raced up the
remaining stairs, on all-fours. His |
jaw was set like a wise. his eyes were
blazing; In fact, Hugh Dummond was
seeing red.
He paused when he reached the top.
crouching In the darkness. Close to
him he could feel some one else. and |
holding his breath, he listened. Then
he heard the man move-only the very |
fhintest sound-but II was enough. |
Without seconds thought he sprang.
and his hands closed on human flesh.
He laughed gently; then he fought in
silence.
HIS opponent was strong above the |
average, but after q minute he was
like q child In Hugh's grasp. BE
choked once or twice and muttered
something; then Hugh slipped his
right hand gently onto the mans
throat. His fingers moved slowly
round. his thumb adjusted itself low
Ingiy, and the man felt his head being
forced back irresistibly. He gave one
stangied cry, and then the pressure