The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-09-29

Hugh bowed gravely. My only re-
greet is that IT failed to Junction." he
remarked. las told yOu outside, I'd
quite forgotten your menagerle. In
fact''-hls glance wandered slowly and
somewhat pointedly from face to face
at the tablet had no idea it was
such a large one
$50 this is the inSOlent young swine,
is it," The blOodshOt eyes of the man
with the SCARED face turned on him
morOsely What I cannot understand
is why he hasn't been killed by now"
Hugh waggled an accusing finger at
him.
Il knew you were a nasty man as
soon as I saw YOU. Now look at Hen
~ up at the end Of the table; he
doesn't say that sort of thing. And
you do hate me, don't YOU, Henry?
HOw's the jaw"
Captain DrummOnd." said Laking-
ton. ignoring Hugh and addressing the
first speaker. was very nearly killed
last night l thought for some time
as 10 whether | would or not. but l
finally decided it would be much too
easy a death. So IT can be remedied
tonight
If Hugh felt mOmentary twinge Of
fear at the calm. eXpresSionless tone,
and the half-satiSfied grunt which
greeted the words. no trace of it
. showed on his face. Already the
realization had come TO him that If
he got through the night alive he would
be more than passing lucky, but he
-
worry him unduly. SO he merely stifled
yawn. and again turned 10 LakingtOn
so it was YOU, my little one. whose
fairy face | saw pressed against the
window. Would it be indiScreet TO ask
how you got the dope into us?'
darlington looked at him with an ex-
preston of grim satisfaction on his
face.
You were gassed, if you want TO
know. An admirable invention of my
friend Kaufrner's nation"
A cultural chuckle came from one
of the men, and Hugh looked at him
grimly.
The scum certainly would not be
complete" he remarked to Peterson,
without a filthy BOche in it,"
The German pushed back his chair
with an oath. his face purple with
passion.
"a filthy Boche." he muttered thick
ly. lurching toward Hugh. Hold him
the arms of. and 1 will the throat tear
out.
1t all happened so quickly. At one
moment Hugh was apparently intent
upon selecting ii cigarette. the next
instant the case had fallen TO the
floor; there was Il dull, heavy thud,
and the BOche crashed back, over
turned chair, and fell, like a log to
the floor, his head hitting the wall with
a vicious crack. The blOOdshot being
resumed his seat little Imply Hugh
resumed his search for a cigarette.
After which breezy interlude," re-
marked Peterson, ''let us to business
get"
Hugh paused in the act of striking
a match. and for the first time a gen
uine smile spread over his face.
There are moments. Peterson" he
murmured, when you really appeal
TO me-"
Peterson took the empty chair next
to Lexington.
''Sit down." he said shortly. at can
only hope that 1 shall appeal to you
still more before we kill you"
Hugh bowed and sat down.
Consideration" he murmured, was
always your strong point. May I ask
how long have TO liver"
Peterson smiled genially.
-.
ington you are to be spared until to-
morrow. At least, that is our present
Intention. OF course, there might be
an accident in the night; in a house
like this one never can tell. Orr
he carefully cut the end off a cigar
you might go mad, in which case we
shouldn't bother 10 kill you. In fact,
if you go mad, we shall not be dis
pleased"
Once again he smiled geniaIIy.
AS 1 said before, in a house like
this, you can never tell. :"
The intimidated rabbit, breathing
heavily, was staring at Hugh fascin-
ated; and after moment Hugh turned
10 him with a courteous bow.
I4addie," he remarked. you've been
eating onions. Do you mind detecting
the blast in the opposite direction?"
His calm imperturbability seemed to
madden Lexington.
You wait" he snarled thickly; you
wait till I've finished with you. You
won't be so id humorous then. -
Hugh regarded the speaker languid-
ly.
Your suppOsition is more than prob
able" he remarked, In a bored voice.
i shall be too intent on getting into
Turkish bath to remove the contain
ination to think OF laughing"
Slowly darlington sank back in his
chair. hard. merciless smile on his