Middletown transcript., 1921-07-02
CHAPTER IV-continucd.

n uAcu UeIeTIulHdtlOn 10 KNOW mat
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 !;
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 a shrewd
suspicion that the entertainment was
only just beginning.
A sudden sound outside in the gar
den made him look up quickly. He
saw the white gleam Of shirt front,
and the next moment maQ pushed
open the window and came unsteadily
into the room. 1t was Mr.. Benton, and
quite obviously he had been seeking
consolation in the bottle.
Have you got him?" he demanded
thickly, steadying himself with hand
on Peterson's arm.
Il have not" said Peterson shortly,
cyeing the swaying figure in front OF
him contemptuously. For heavens
sake, sit down, man, before you fall
down." He pushed Benton roughly
into a chair, and resumed his impas'
siye stare into the darkness.
The girl took not the slightest notice
of the new arrival, who gazed stupid
ly at Drummond across the table.
1--WE seem to be moving in an at
mosphere of cross-purposes, Mr.. Ben
ton," said the soldier affably. Il hope
your daughter is quite welL'
"Er-quite, thank you,' mutteret
the other.
Tell her, will you, that I 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.
Il ordered my car for ten o'clock,
he answered. II am quite sure tina
l shall be more useful to Mr.. Peter
son at large than I am cOoped VI
here. l might even lead him to thi
hidden treasure which he thinks Iv'
got"
"You will do that, all right" re
marked Peterson. But at the mo
ment l was wondering whether lit
tie persuasion now-might not give m
all the information l require NOR
quickly and with less trouble"
A feeting vision of a mangled, pulp
like thumb flashed across Hugh
mind once again he heard that hide
GUS cry, half animal, half human
which had echoed through the dark
ness the preceding night, and for al
instant his breath came little faster
Then he smiled, and shook his head.
Il think you are rather too good
S-----
50 foolish" he said thoughtfully. "Yo
see, unless you kill me, which l don
think would suit your book, you Nigh
find explanations little difficult tt
morrow" -
For a while there was silence in tn
room, broken at length by a shol
laugh from Peterson.
"For q young man, truly your pei
spicacity is great" he remarked. III
ma, is the blue room ready? II 81
tell Luigi to show Captain DrummOn
to it,"
II will show him myself" she al
swered, rising.
Hugh saw look of annoyance pas
over Peterson's face as he turne
to follow the girl, and it struck NIL
that that gentleman was not bes
pleased at the turn of events. The
the door closed, and he followed hl
guide up the stairs.
The girl opened the door of rool
and switched on the light. Then sh
faced him smiling, and Hugh locke
at her steadily. "Tell me, you usl
man." she murmured, "why you al
such fool"
Hugh smiled, and as has been sal
before, Hugh's smile transformed n
face.
II must remember that opening, i
said. 1T establishes a basis OF II
timacy at once, doesn't it?"
Che swayed a little toward hin
and then, before e realized her II
tention, she put hand on his shou