The Lamar register., 1921-09-14

T.. 20 sr,- .5s
ing-coar ana cap. rnen, WITHOUT q
sound. he threaded his way through
the bushes In search Of the car.
He found 1t about hundred yards
nearer the house, so well hidden in
email space of the road that he
was almost on top of 1t before he real.
lied the fact To his relief 1t was
empty, and placing his own cap In a
pocket under the seat he put on the
driving coat Of his predecessor Then,
with quick glance round to ensure
that everything was In readiness for
the Immediate and rapid departure
such AS he imagined Lakington would
desire, he turned and crept stealthily
toward the house
TWO
Laldley Towers was en- fete. The
duchess, determined that every con-
celvable stunt should be carried out
which would make for the entertain
ment of her guests. had spared no
pains to make the evening Il success.
The duke, bored to extinction, had
by his indefatlgabie spouse, and was
now, at the moment Hugh first came
In sight of the house, engaged In shak-
ing hands with tall, aristocratic-
looking Indian.
How d'y do" he murmured va
cantly. What did you say the dam
fellah's name was. my dear?" he whis-
pered In hoarse undertone to the
duchess, who stood beside him vel
coming the distinguished foreigner.
We're So glad you could come. Mr..
Ram Dar." remarked the duchess af-
fably. Everyone is so looking for
ward to your wonderful entertain
ment." Round her neck were the his
toric pearls, and as the Indian bowed
low over her outstretched hand, his
eyes CLEANED for second.
IL had been the marquis of Laidley
himself who had suggested getting
hold of this most celebrated perform
er. who had apparently never been
In England before. And since the
marquis of Laidleys coming -of-age
was the cause Of the whole evenings
entertainment, his suggestion had
been hailed with reclamation. How
he had heard about the Indian, and
from whom. were points about which
he was very vague; but since he was
very vague young man, the fact
elected no comment. The main thing
was that here. In the nesh, was 4
dark. mysterious performer Of the oc-
cult, and what more could . house
party requiref And In the general
excitement Hugh Drummond crept
closer TO the open window. Suddenly
his Jaw tightened Irms Peterson had
entered the room with young Laidley.
do you want anything done. Mr..
Ram Darf" asked the duchess-''the
lights down or the window shutr'
NO. / thank you" returned the In
dian. Il am ready. Who nrst will
learn OF the things that are written on
the scroll OF FateT'
And IL was at that moment that the
intent watcher outside the window
began TO shake with silent mirth. For
the face was the face Of the Indian.
Ram Dar. but the voice was the voice
Of Laklngton. IL struck him that
lht next ten minutes or 50 mlknt De
well worth while. The problem Of re-
moving :he pearls from the duchess
neck before such an assembly seemed
to present n certain amount Of ditfi-
Guilty even to such an expert AS Henry.
And Hugh crept little nearer the
window. so as TO miss nothing.
Evidently the scene was now set
the necessary props were In position
and Hugh waited with growing i'm
patience for the principal event But
the principal performer seemed In no
hurry. In fact. in his dry way LAX
lngton was thoroughly enjoying him
self. An intimate inside knowledge
Of the skeletons that ratified their
bones In the cupboards OF most Of
those present enabled the gods to
speak with dlsconcerting accuracy;
and as each victim insisted on some
body new facing the sands that came
from beyond the mountains. the per-
formance seemed likely to last indeh-
nltely.
At last a sudden delighted burst Of
applause came from the group. an
nouncing the discontinue of yet an
other guest. and with 1t Lakington
seemed to tire OF the amusement. En-
crossed though he was in the anticipa-
ton of the main Item which was still