The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-08-18

the top with comparative eQuanimity
as being part OF his job quailed and
looked apprehensively at DrummOnd.
do what the kind gentleman tells
you, Mullings," said Hugh, -and go to
bed" He lit a cigarette. and thought
fully blew out a cloud Of smoke.
stop this fOoling," snarled Peter
son. Where have you hidden POttsr'
flush, tush,'' murmured Hugh. You
surprise me. 1 had formed such
charming mental picture of you, Mr..
Peterson, as the strong. silent man
who never lost his temper, and here
you are, disappointing me at the begin
ming of our acquaintance"
For a moment he thought that Pc
tersOn was going TO strike him. and his
own fist clenched under the table.
II wouldn't. my friend" he said
quietly, indeed l wouldn't. Because
if you hit me, shall most certainly
hit you. And it will not improve your
beauty"
Slowly Peterson sank back in his
chair. and the veins which had been
standing out on his forehead became
normal again. He even smiled; only
the ceaSeleSS tapping of his hand on
his left knee betrayed his mOmentary
loss of compOSure. DrummOnd's fist
unclenched, and he stole look at the
girl. She was in her favOrite attitude
on the sofa. and had not even looked
up.
Il suppose that it is quite useless
for me To argue with you" said Peter
son after n while
II was member of my school de-
batting society" remarked Hugh remi-
niScently. But I was never much
good. I'm TOO obvious for argument
Tn afraid"
You probably realize from what
has happened tonight" continued Pc
tersOn. that I am in earnest
81 should he sorry to think so" an
swered Hugh. IF that is the best
you can do. I'd cut it right out and
start a tomato farm"
The girl gave a little gurgle of
laughter and lit another cigarette.
"WiH you come and do the danger
Gus part Of the work for us, Monsieur
Hugh?' she asked.
IF you promise To restrain the little
1CAApNS- 1 II wafer lilClu Will DltdS-
ure." returned Hugh lightly.
Peterson rose and walked over TO
the window, where he stood motion
less, staring out into the darkness.
Hugh realized that the situation was
what in military phraseology might be
termed critical. There were in the
house probably half a dozen men who,
like their master, were absolutely I'M
scrupulOuS. If it suited PetersOn's
book TO kill him. he would not hesitate
10 do so for a single second.
For Il moment the thought crossed
his mind that he would take no
chances by remaining in the house;
that he would rush Peterson from
behind and escape into the darkness
of the garden. But it was only mo-
mentary-gOne almost before it had
come, for Hugh Drummond was not
that manner of man-gOne even before
he noticed that Peterson was standing
in such Il position that he could see
every detail of the room behind him
reflected in the glass through which
he stared
a fixed determination TO know what
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:
even now the last twenty-fOur hours
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 little grimly. He
had just remembered the thumbscrew
of the preceding evening. Assuredly
the demObilized officer who found
peace duh 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 CLEAN of shirt front.
and the next moment a man 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 himT'' he demanded
thickly. steadying himself with a hand
on PetersOn's arm.
1T have not" said Peterson shortly,
cycling the swaying figure in front OF
him contemporary. For heavens
sake, sit down, man, before you fall
down" He pushed Benton roughly
into a chair, and resumed his impas-
sive stare into the darkness.
The girl took not the slightest notice
of the new arrival, who gazed stupid
" at DrUmmond across the table.
ave seem to be moving in an at
mosphere of cross-purpOses, Mr.. Ben
ton" said the soldier affably. IT hope
your daughter is quite we'll"
''Er-quite, thank you," muttered
the other
Tell her, viii you, that propose
to call on her before returning to Lon