The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-07-14

lclI uIOhCs
household, he reflected: Just the spot
for a rest-cure. Then he saw a figure
on the lawn Of the next house which
banished everything else from his
mind and opening the gate, he walked
eagerly toward Phyllis Benton.
FOUR.
IT heard you were down here" she
said gravely, holding out her hand to
him. "Tve been sick with anxiety
ever since father told me he'd seen
you"
Hugh imprisoned the little hand In
his W huge ones. and smiled reas-
suringly.
"Don't worry. little GIRL" he said.
years ago / was told by an old gypsy
that / should die In my bed Of old
age and excessive consumption Of In
valid port. . As a matter Of
fact, the cause Of my visit vas rather
humorous. They abducted me In the
middle of the night. with an ex-sol-
der Of my old battalion, who was. I
regret to state, sleeping OF the effects
Of much Indifferent liquor, In my
rooms. They thought he was your
American millionaire cove, and the
wretched Mullings vas too drunk to
deny II. In fact, I don't think they
we asked his opinion at ALL" Hugh
grinned reminiscently. "A pathetic
spectacle"
"Ohl but splendid" cried the girl q
little breathlessly. Tell me, where
Is the American nOwT
MANY miles out Of London" an
swered Hugh. 81 think we'll leave
1t at that. The less you know, Miss
Benton, at the moment-the better
"Have you found out anything3" she
demanded eagerly.
Hugh shook his head.
mot a thing. Except that your
neighbors are as pretty q bunch of
%scoundrels as l ever want to meet"
"But you'll let me know II you do"
She laid a hand beseechingly on his
arm. you know what's at stake for
me. don't your Father. and-ohl but
you know"
Il know" he answered gravely. VI
know. old thing. I promise I'll let
you know anything I find out. And
In the meantime I want you to keep
an eye ixed on what goes on next
door. and let me know anything Of
importance by letter to the Junior
Sports club" He Lit a cigarette
thoughtfully. II have an idea that
they feel 30 absolutely confident in
their own power that they are going to
make the fatal mistake Of undertaking
their opponents. We shall see." He
turned to her with a twinkle In his eye.
Anyway. u Mr.. darlington will see
that you don't come to any harm"
1.-The brute |" she cried, very low.
"How I hate himT" Then with a
sudden change Of tone she looked up
at DrummOnd. II don't know whether
it's worth mentioning" she said
slowly. "but yesterday afternoon four
men came at different times to The
Elms. They were the sort Of type
n sees tub-thumping In Hyde Park.
all except one, who looked like a re-
spectacle w~0rkingman."
Hugh shook his head.
Don't seem to help much, does it,
Still. M never knows. Let me know
anything like that In future at the
club"
"GoOd morning. Miss Benton"
Peterson's voice behind them made
Drummond swing round with a smoth-
cred curse. "Our inestimable friend,
Captain Drummond. brought such a
nice young fellow to see me last night,
and then left him lying about the
house this morning. I have sent him
along to your car" continued Peter
son suavely, (which I trust war the
correct procedure. Or did you want
to give him to me az a petr
"From a rapid survey. Mr.. Peterson.
I should think you have quite enough
already" said Hugh. ~ trust you
paid him the money you w him."
II will allot It to him In my will"
remarked Peterson. IT you do the
same In yours, doubtless he will get
Il from n Of us sooner or later. In
the meantime, Miss Benton. Is your
father upr'
The girl frowned.
"No-not yet"
Then I will 60 and e him In bed.
For the present. au revoir." He
walked toward the house, and they
watched him 60 In silence. And 1t
was as ne opened the drawing-room
window that Hugh called after him !:
"Do you like the horse Elliman's
or the ordinary brandf" he asked.
"Tll send you . bottle for that sti6
neck Of yours"
Very deliberately Peterson turned
round.
Don't trouble. thank you. Captain
DrummOnd. I have my " RENE
dieA which are far more efacacious."
CHAPTER FIVE.