The Raymer enterprise., 1921-09-15

DOCTOR SaIo no alc0hO1 and very little
meat"
| His voice died away. and he rose
slowly to his feet. In the open door
four men were standing, each with
la peculiar-shaped revolver In hi,
hand.
What the devil" cried Drummond
furiously. rs the meaning Of this7"
Cut II out" cried the leader con.
temptuously. these guns are silent
II you utter-you die. Do you get
meT"
The veins stood out on Drummond's 4
forehead, and he controlled himself
with an immense effort.
Are you aware that this man Is q
guest Of mine. and sickr' he said. his
voice shaking with rage.
You don't say" remarked the lead.
er. and one Of the others laughed. RIP
the bed-clothes of, boys, and gag the
young cock-sparrow."
Before be could resist, q gag was
thrust in Drummond's mouth and bis
hands were tied behind his back. Then.
helpless and impotent he watched
three Of them lift up the man from
the bed, and putting a gag In his
mouth also. carry him out Of the room.
Move" said the fourth to Hugh.
You join the picnic"
A large car drove up AZ they
reached the street. and In less time
than II takes to tell. the two helpless
men were pushed In, followed by the
leader; the door was shut and the car
drove of.
Don't forget" he said to Drum
mond suavely, "this gun IL silent You
had better be the same"
At one o'clock the car swung up to
The Elms. For the last ten minutes
Hugh had bsen watching the invalid
10 the corner, who was making frantic
efforts to loosen his gag. His eyes
were rolling horribly. and he swayed
from side to side In bis seat, but the
bandagss round his hands held 6rm
and at last he gave It up.
Even when he was lifted out and
carried indoors hs did not struggle: :
he seemed to have sunk Into q sort
Of apathy. Drummond followed with
dignihed calmness. and was led Into .
room of the hall.
In Z moment Of two Peterson en-
tered, followed BY his daughter. "Ahl
my young friend" cried Peterson af.
fahly, Il hardly thought you'd give me
such an easy run ~ this." He put
his hand into Drummond's pockets,
and pulled out his revolver and . bun
die Of lette1. TO your bank" he
murmured. "Ohl surely. surely not
that a. well. Not even stamped. On
gag him. Irma-and unite his hands.
My very dear young friend-you pain
me-"
u wish to know, Mr.. Peterson" said
Hugh quietly. by what right this das-
tardly outrage has been committed.
A friend Of mine, sick in bed-re-
moved, abducted In the middle Of the
night: to say nothing Of me-"
With a gentle laugh Irma offered
him cigarette. Mon Dieu!" she re-
marked, but you are most gloriously
ugly, my Hughr
Peterson. with q faint smile, opened
the envelope In his hand. And, even
~ he pulled out the contents, he
paused suddenly and the smile faded
from his face. From the landing up
stairs came q heavy crash, followed
by food Of the most appalling Ian.
guage.
what the-h-l do you think
you're doing. you nat-faced son Of
Maltese goat1 And where the h|l am
I. anyway
II must apologize for my friends
language" murmured Hugh gently,
but you must admit he has some JUS
tiHcation. Besides, he was, regret to
state. quite wonderfully drunk earlier
this evening, and just a. he was sleep
Ing It of these desperadoes abducted
him."
The next moment the door burst op-
en-. and an infuriated object rushed In,
His face was wild. and his hand was
bandaged, showing a great red stain
on the thumb.
whats this-jestr he howled furi-
ously. "And this id bandage all
covered with red inkr
You must ask my friend here,
Mullings." said Hugh. Hes got q
peculiar sense Of humor. Anyway,
he's got the bill In his hand"
In silence they watched Peterson
open the paper and read the contents,
while the girl leaned over his shoulder.
To Mr.. Peterson, Godalming.
{ 9. d.
To hire Of one demObilized
soldier ................. SO 0
To making him drunk Tin
this item present strength
and cost Of drink and
soldiers capacity must
be allowed for). ......... SO o
To bottle OF red Ink ...... 0 o l
To shock to system. ....... 10 0 0
Total ..................f20 0
CHAPTER ",