The Raymer enterprise., 1921-10-27
CHAPTER Vll-Continved.

"A charming young GIRL" answered
kna demurely, whose father lost
his life In the war, and who at present
ekes out precarious existence In q
government once. At least, that's
what he told Lady Frumpley-she's
the woman Of unassailable virtue.
She was profoundly sentimental and
scents romance, in addition to being
. snob and scentine q future duke, to
say nothing Of a future duchess. BY
the mercy Of Allah she's on com.
mittee with his mother for distribut-
ing brown paper undefclothes to des.
titute Belgians, and 80 Freddie wan
gled an invite for her. VOLTA tout"
Splendid" said Lakington slowly.
splendid. Young Laidley comes Of
age in about week, doesn't her
Monday, to be exact; and so 60
down with my dear aunt on Satur-
day"
Lakington nodded his head as II
satisfied, and then glanced at his
watch.
what about bed7" he remarked.
Not yet" said Peterson, hnltIng
suddenly In his walk. II must see the
Yank before 90 to Paris. Wen
have him down here now. Give him
an injection, Henry-and, by God,
wen make the fool sign. Then ! can
actually take It over to the meeting
with me-"
He strobe to the door, followed by
Lakington; and the girl In the chair
stood up and stretched her arms above
her head. For a moment or two Hugh
watched her; then he. too. stood up
right and eased his cramped limbs.
Make the fool sign" The words
echoed through his brain, and he
stared thoughtfully at tho grey light
which showed the approach Of dawn.
What was the best thing to dot
Make" with Peterson generally i'm
piled torture, II other means failed,
and Hugh had no intention Of watch.
ing any man tortured. At the same
time something Of the nature Of the
diabolical plot conceived by Peterson
Was beginning to take a definite shape
IN hls mind, though many Of the most
important links were still missing.
And with this knowledge had come
the realization that he was no longer
q free agent. The thing had ceased
to be q mere sporting gamble with
himself and q few other chosen spir.
Its matched against gang Of GRIM
inals; II had become-if his surmise
was correct--a national affair. Eng.
land herself-her very existence-was
threatened by one Of the vilest plots
ever dreamed Of In the brain Of man.
And then, with q sudden rage at his
own impotence. he realized that even
now he had nothing definite to 20 on.
He must know more; somehow or
other he must get to Paris; he must
attend that meeting at the Ritz. Then
Q sound from the room below brought
him back to his vantage point. The
American was sitting In q chair, and
Lakington, with a hypodermic syringe
In his hand. was holding his arm.
He made the injection. and Hugh
watched the millionaire. He was stlll
undecided as to how to act. but for
the moment at any rate, there was
nothing 10 be done. Apd he was very
curious 10 hear what Peterson had to
say to the wretched man, who. up to
date, had figured so largely In every
round.
After a while the American ceased
staring vacantly In front Of him, and
passed his hand dazedly over his fore
head. Then he half rose from his
chair and stared at the two men sit.
ting facing him. His eyes came round
to the girl, and with groan he sank
back again, plucking feebly with his
hands at his dressing gown.
"Better. Mr.. Potts?" said Peterson,
suavely.
IL stnmmered the other.
"whers am II"
AT The Elms, Godalming, II you
wish to know"
II thought thought" He rose
swaying. "What do you want with
mel D-n you'll"
flush, tush," murmured Peterson.
''There 10 n lady present, Mr.. Potts.
And our wants are SO simple. Just
your signature to little agreement,
by which In return for certain services
you promise to Join us In our-er-
labors In the near future"
u remember" cried the millionaire.
"Now ! remember. You swlne-you
nlthy swine, ! refuse absolute
IT,"
'.The trouble ID, my friend. that you
ase altogether too big an employer Of
labor to be allowed to refuse. as I
pointed ont to you before. You must
b In with Us. otherwise you might
wreck the scheme. Therefore re-
Vuire your signature"
"And wlAn you've got IT," cried the
American, 'what good will It be to
youl. I shall repudiate IT,"
-Ohi no, Mr.. Potts." said Peterson
with & thoughtful smile: Il can assure
yorl -on won't. The distressing NAL
!. Itch you have recently been