The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-09-08

So, taxing every lii4hS AAAIo
account. I think"
There was sudden lightning move
ment. heave and a quick jerk. The
impersonator of Potts WAS dimly con-
scious of flying through the air, and
of hitting the floor some yards from
the door. He made a frantic effort
10 rise, but the pain was TOO great,
and he rolled over cursing, while the
soldier. his hand on the dOOr-knOb,
laughed gently.
III keep the toOthpick." he re-
marked. las memento.
The next moment he was striding
along the corridor toward the ele-
vator. AS a fight it had been a poor
one. hut his brain was busy with the
information he had heard. True, 1t
had been scrappy in the extreme, and,
IN part. had only confirmed what he
had suspected ali along. The wretched
Granger had been fOully done 10 death,
for no other reason than that he was
the milliOnaire's secretary. Hugh's
law frightened; 1t revelted his sense OF
sport. 1t wasn't as If the poor blight
er had done anything; merely because
he existed and might ask inconvenient
questions he had been removed And
as the elevator shot dOwnwards, and
the remembrance of the grim struggle
he had had lin the darkness of The
Films the night before came back to
his mind, he wondered once again II
he had done wisely in not breaking
PetersOn's neck while he had the
chance.
He was still debating the question
In his mind as he crossed the tea
lounge.
'Why, Captain DrummOnd, you look
pensive." A well-knOwn voice from a
table at his side made him look down,
and he bowed a little grimly. Irma
Peterson was regarding him with a
hooking smile.
He glanced at her companion, a
young man whose face seemed vaguely
familiar to him, and then his eyes
rested once more on the girl. Even
his masculine intelligence could ap-
preciate the perfectiOn-in a slightly
foreign style-of her cldthes; and, as
to hep beauty, he had never been IN
der any decisions.
1.-The Carlton seems rather a favor
tie resort of yours she continued,
watching him through half closed eyes.
II think you're very wise to make
the most of it while you can"
While I can7'' said Hugh. THAT
sounds rather depressing
I've done my BEST" continued the
girl, "but matters have passed out of
my hands, I'm afraid"
Again Hugh glanced at her cOmpan-
ion, but he had risen and was talking
to some people who had just come in.
us he one of the firmT'' he re-
marked. His face seems familiar
"Oh, no." said the girl. He is
just a friend" She leaned forward
suddenly. ''Why don't you join us
instead Of so fOOlishly trying to fight
as? Believe me, Monsieur Hugh, it is
the only thing that can possibly save
you. You know too much"
as the invitation to amalgamate
official, or from your own charming
brainT' murmured Hugh
MADE on the spur of the moment"
she said lightly. But 1t may be re-
garded as official"
I'm afraid it must be declined on
the spur of the moment" he an
swered in the same tone. "And equal
Iy to be regarded as official Well,
au revOir. Please tell Mr.. Peterson
how sorry I am to have missed him."
II Will most certainly answered
the girl. But then, mon ami, you
will be seeing him again soon, without
doubt. ="
She waved a charming hand in fare
well, and turned to her companion.
But Drummond, though he went into
the hall outside, did not Immediately
leave the hotel. Instead he button
holed an exquisite being arrayed in
gorgeous apparel and led him to a
point of vantage.
You see that GIRL" he remarked,
having tea with a man at the third
table from the big palm? Now, can
you tell me who the man is? 1 seem
to know his face, but I can't put a
name TO it,
That sir" murmured the exquisite
being, with the faintest perceptible
scOrn at such ignorance, lis the mar
quis Of Laidley. His lordship is fire.
quently here
'Laidley!' cried Hugh, in sudden ex-
element 'LaidleyI The duke of
Lampshire's SON. You priceless old
stuffed tomatO-the plot thickens."
Completely regardless Of the scan
dalized horror on the exquisite beings
face, he smOte him heavily in the
stomach and stepped into Pail Mall.
For clear before his memory had come
three lines on the scrap of paper he
mad torn from the table at The Elms
that first night, when he had grabbed
the dazed millionaire from-under
PetersOn's nose.