Judsonia weekly advance., 1921-08-04

MT Potts will see no one. sir" re marked the man 10 whom ne aA- dressed his question. You are ahout the twentieth gentleman who has been here already today"
 Hugh had expected this. and smiled geliially.
 Precisely, my stout fellow" he re- marked. but I'll lay small amount of money that they were newspaper men. Now, I'm not. And think that if you will have this note delivered to Mr. Potts. he will see me"
 He sat down at a table. and drew sheet of paper toward him. Two facts were certain: First, that the man upstairs was not the real Potts; second, that he was one of Peterscn's gang. The difficulty was to know ex- actly how to word the notes There might be some mystic password, the omission of which would prove him an impostor at once. At length he took pen and wrote rapidly; he would have to chance it.
 Urgent. A message from head quarters"
 He sealed the envelope and handed 1t with the necessary five shililngs for postage to the man. Then he sat down to wait After what seemed an interminable delay he saw the mes- senger crossing the lounge.
 'Mr Potts will see you, sir
 Hugh followed his guide along corridor, and paused outside a door while he went into room. He heard a murmur of voices, and then the man reappeared
 "This way, sir" he said. and Hugh stepped inside, to stop with an invol- untary gasp of surprise. The man seated in the chair was Potts, to all intents and purposes. The likeness was extraordinary and had he not known that the real article was at Goring he would have been com pletely deceived himself.
 The man waited till the door was closed: then he rose and stepped forward suspiciously.
 q don't know you," he said. "Who are you?"
 "Since when has every one em- ployed at headquarters known one anotherT Drummond returned guard edly. And, incidentally, your like ness to our lamented friend is won1 derful. It very nearly deceived even me-
 The man, not ill-pleased, gave a short laugh.
 'It'll pass, I think. But it's risky. These cursed reporters have been badgerng the whole morning. :. And if his wife or somebody comes over, what then? It wasn't like RoSca to bungle In Belfast. He's never left clue before, and he had plenty of time to do the job prop erly."
 "A name inside breast-poclSet might easily be overlooked" remarked Hugh, seizing the obvious clue.
 Are you making excuses for him?" snarled the other. Hes failed, and failure Is death. Such IS our rule Would you have it altered?"
 Most certainly not. The issues are far too great for any weakness. !"
 You're right, my friend-youre right Long live the Brotherhood" ]" He stared out of the window with smouldering eyes, and Hugh preserved a discreet silence. Then suddenly the other broke out again. Have they killed that insolent puppy of soldier yet?"
 "Er-not yet" murmured Hugh mildly.
 'They must find the American at once" The man dumped the table emphatically. "It was important be- fore-at least his money was. Now with this blunder-it's vital"
 Precisely" said Hugh Precise ly."
 i've already interviewed one man from Scotland Yard, but every hour increases the danger. However, you have a message for me. What is it?"
 Hugh rose and casually picked up his hat. He had got more out of the interview than he had hoped for, and there was nothing to be gained by prolonging it. But it struck him that MT. Potts impersonator was a man of unpleasant disposition, and that tactically fianking movement to the door was indicated And, being of an open nature himself, it is possible that the real state of affairs showed for moment on his face. Be that as it may, something suddenly aroused the others suspicious, and with snarl of fury he sprang past Hugh to the door
 Who are youY' He spat the words out venomously, at the same, time whipping an ugly-looking knife out of his pocket.
 Hugh replaced his hat and stick on the table and grinned gently.
 'I am the insolent puppy of sol dier, dear old bird" he remarked, watching the other warily. And if I was you I'd put the toothpick away.
 :. You might hurt yourself"
 As he spoke he was edging, little by little, toward the other man, who crouched snarling by the door. His