The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-06-17

mir. Potts will see no one, SIR re-
marked the man 10 whom he ad-
dressed his question. you are about
the twentieth gentleman who has been
here already today"
Hugh had expected this, and smiled
genially.
precisely, my stout fellow" he re.
of money hat they were newspaper
men. Now, I'm not. And I think that
If you will have this note delivered
TO Mr.. Potts, he will see me-"
He sat down at Il table, and drew
a 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 PeterSon's
gang. The difficulty was to know X
actly how TO word the note. There
might be some mystic password, the
omission Of which would prove him
an impostor ut once. At length he
took Il pen and wrote rapidly; he
would have 10 chance ii.
urgent. 4 message from head
| quarters"
He sealed the envelope and handed
st with the necessary five shillings
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 a
corridor, and paused outside n door
while he went into a 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 al
Goring he would have been com
pletely deceived himself.
The man waited till the door was
closed: then he rose and stepped
forward suspiciously.
Il don't know you," he said. "Who
are your"
"Since when has every n EN-
ployed at headquarters known one
anOther?" Drummond returned guard
eddy. "And, incidentally, your like.
ness TO our lamented friend is won
derful. 1t very nearly deceived even
me-"
The man, not ill-pleased, gave a
short laugh.
eth pass, | think. But it's risky.
These cursed reporters have been
badgering the whole morning. . .
And if his wife or somebody comes
over, what then? 1t wasn't like
Rosca to bungle in Belfast. He's
never left Il clue before, and he had
plenty Of time to do the job prop
erly."
"A name inside a b~reast-pocket
might easily be overlooked" remarked
Hugh, seizing the obvious clue.
"Are you making excuses for him p
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-you're
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 a
soldier yet?'
"Er-not yet" murmured Hugh
mildly.
They must find the American at
once" The man thumped the table
emphatically. 1T was important be
fore-at least his money was. Now
with this blunder-it's vital"
"Precisely," said Hugh, Precise
ly."
1--WE already interviewed one man
from Scotland Yard. but every houi
increases the danger. However. you
bave a message for ne. What is it?'
Hugh rose and casually picked UP
his hat. He had got more out Of the
interview than he het hoped for, and
there Vas nothing % be gained by
%prolonging 1t. But e struck him that
Mr.. Potts impersonasOr was a man
Of unpleasant disposition, and thai
tactically a fianking yoovement to the
door was indicated And, being OF
an open nature him!sv'f, it is possible
that the real state =! affairs showed
for a moment on h,s face. Be that
as 1t may, something suddenly aroused
the others suspicious, and with q
snarl of fury he sprarg past Hugh tC
the door.
who are your" Ee spat the words
out venomously, at ehe same time
whipping an u~gly-lOox'ng knife out of
his pocket.
Hugh replaced hM hat and stick
on the table and gfllned gently.
81 am the insolent puppy Of a sol
der. dear old bir:s..' he remarked,
watching the other rarily. "And If
/ was you I'd put thp toothpick away.
You might s-lrt yourself"
AS he spoke he wYa edging, little by
little, toward the Ther man, who
crouched snarling - the door. His
ewes grim and daterrrinpd never left