Judsonia weekly advance., 1921-07-28
CHAPTER IV-Continued.


 A fixed determination to know what lay in that sinister brain replaced his temporary indecision. Events up to date had moved so quickly that he had hardly had time to get his bearings ;: even now the last twenty-four hours seemed almost a dream. And as he looked at the broad back and massive head of the man at the window, and from him to the girl idly smoking on the sofa, he smiled a little grimly He had just remembered the thumbscrew of the preceding evening. Assuredly the demobilized officer who found peace dull was getting his moneys worth; and Drummond had shrewd suspicion that the entertainment was only just beginning.
 sudden sound outside in the gar den made him look up quicE:y. He saw the white gleam of a shirt front, and the next moment a man pushed open the window and came unsteadily into the room. It was MT. Benton, and quite obviously he had been seeking consolation in the bottle.
 Have you got him?" he demanded thiclSly, steadying himself with hand on Peterson's arm.
 'I have not" said Peterson shortly, eyeing the swaying figure in front of him contemptuously. "For heavens sake. sit down, man, before you fall down." He pushed Benton roughly into chair, and resumed his impas- sive stare into the darkness.
 The girl took not the slightest notice of the new arrival, who gazed stupid ly at Drummond across the table.
 We seem to be moving in an at mosphere of cross-purposes, MT. Ben ton," said the soldier affably. q hope your daughter is quite we'll"
 .'Er-quite, thank you," muttered the other.
 Tell her, will you, that propose to call on her before returning to Lon don tomorrow"
 With his hands in his pockets, Peter son was regarding Drummond from the window.
 You propose leaving us tomorrow, do you?" he said quietly.
 Drummond stood up.
 T ordered my car for ten o'clock" he answered. 1T am quite sure that I shall be more useful to MT. Peter son at large than I am cooped up here. I might even lead him to this hidden treasure which he thinks I've got"
 You will do that, all right" re- marked Peterson. But at the mo- ment I was wondering whether lit- tie persuasion now-might not give me all the information I require more quickly and with less trouble"
 A fleeting vision of mangled pulp like thumb flashed across Hugh's mind; once again he heard that hide ous cry, half animal, half human, which had echoed through the dark ness the preceding night, and for an instant his breath came little faster. Then he smiled, and shook his head
 T think you are rather too good a judge of human nature to try anything so foolish" he said thoughtfully. You see, unless you kill me, which I don't think would suit your book, you might find explanations a little difficult to- morrow"
 For a while there was silence in the room, broken at length by short laugh from Peterson.
 For a young man, truly your per spicacity is great" he remarked. "Ir- ma, is the blue room ready? If so, tell Luigi to show Captain Drummond to it."
 ''I will show him myself" she an swered, rising.
 Hugh saw look of annoyance pass over Pe.erson's face as he turned to follow the girl, and 1t struck him that that gentleman was not best pleased a. the turn of events. Then the door closed, and he followed his guide up the stairs.
 Tue girl opened the door of . room