The Lamar register., 1921-07-13

lIuDtTSOuH1DF VI 1oltS was Ioh-
scious OF flying through the air, and
of hitting the floor some yards from
the door. He made a frantic effort
to rise, but the pain was too great,
and he rolled over cursing, while the
soldier, his hand on the door-knob,
laughed gently.
"In keep the toothpick," he re-
marked. las a memento."
The next moment he was striding
along the corridor toward the ele-
vator. As fight 1t had been IA poor
one, but his brain was busy with the
Information he had heard. True, 1t
had been scrappy in the extreme, and,
in part, had only confirmed what he
had suspected all along. The wretched
Granger had been foully done to death
for no other reason than that he was
the millionaire's secretary. Hugh's
Jaw tightened; It revolted his sense of
sport. 1t wasn't as If the poor blight
er had done anything; merely because
he existed and might ask inconvenient
questions he had been removed And
us the elevator shot downwards, and
the remembrance of the grim struggle
he had had In the darkness of The
Elms the night before came back to
his mind, he wondered once again II
he had done wisely In not breaking
Peterson's neck while he had the
chance.
He was still debating the question
lounge.
'why, Captain Drummond, you look
pensive" A well-known voice from u
table at his side made him look down.
and he bowed little grimly. Irma
Peterson was regarding him with d
mocking smile.
He glanced at her companion, q
young man whose face seemed vaguely
familiar to him. and then his eyes
rested once more on the girl. Even
his masculine Intelligence could ap-
preciate the perfection-in a slightly
foreign style-of her clothes; and. as
TO her beauty. he had never been un-
der any delusions.
"The Carlton seems rather u favor
ite resort vT yuurs. size continued.
watching him throu ia hulf closed eyes.
Il think you're very wise TO make
the most of il while you can
while l CAM" said Hugh. THAT
sounds ruther depressing
"rve done my best" continued the
girl, but matters have passed out OF
my hands. I'm afraid"
Again Hugh glanced at her coinpan
ion. but he had risen and was talking
TO some people who had just come in.
"ls he one of the hrmf'' he re-
marked. His face seems familiar"
"Oh, mol" said the girl. He Is
just friend" She leaned forward
suddenly. why don't you join US
instead OF so foolishly trying to fight
usr Believe me, Monsieur Hugh, 1t Is
the only thing that can possibly save
you. You know too much"
rs the Invitation to amalgamate
official, or from your own charming
brainf murmured Hugh.
'"Made on the spur OF the moment"
she said lightly. But 1t may be re-
garded as official"
I'm afraid 1t must be declined on
the spur OF the moment" he an
sNtrtu IN tnt same tone. anu equhi-
ly TO be regarded as official. Well,
au revoir. Please tell Mr.. Peterson
how sorry l am to have missed him"
Il will most certainly" answered
the girl. But then, mon ami. you
will be seeing him again soon, without
doubt. :"
She waved a charming hand In fare
well, and turned to her companion.
But Drummond. though he went into
the hall outside, did not Immediately
leave the hotel. Instead, he button
holed an exquisite being arrayed In
gorgeous apparel. and led him to
point Of vantage.
You see that girl" he remarked,
having tea with a man at the third
table from the big palmf Now. can
you tell me who the man isf l seem
to know his face, but l can't put
name to It,"
THAT, SIR" murmured the exquisite
being, with the faintest perceptible
scorn at such ignorance. ''is the mar
quis OF Laidley. His lordship is fire.
quently here"