The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-09-10
CHAPTER VII-continued.

his life In the war, and who at present
ekes out a precarious existence in a
government office. At least, that's
what he told Lady Frumpley-she's
the woman of unassailable virtue.
She was profoundly sentimental and
scents a romance, in addition to being
q snob and scenting future duke, to
say nothing Of future duchess. By
the mercy of Allah she's on a COM
mfttee with his mother for distribut-
ing brown paper underclothes to des-
titute Belgians, and so Freddie wan
gled an invite for her. VOLTA tout"
splendid" said Lexington slowly.
Splendid. Young Laidley comes OF
age In about q week, doesn't hep
o.Aonday, to be exact; and so l go
with my dear aunt on Satur-
: 4kkington nodded his head as If
safisfied, and then glanced at his
watch.
What about bed?" he remarked.
"Not yet" said Peterson, hating
suddenly In his walk. II must see the
Yank before go to Paris. Wen
have him down here now. Give him
an injection, Henry-and, by God,
well make the fool sign. Then / can
actually take 1t over to the meeting
with me-"
He strobe to the door, followed by
Lexington; and the girl In the chair
stood up and stretched her arms above
her head. For 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 theughtfully at the grey light
which showed the approach of dawn.
What was the best thing to do?
Make with Peterson generally i'm
piled torture. IL 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 definite shape
in his mind, though many Of the most
important links were still missing.
And with this knowledge had come
the realization that he was no longer
a free agent. The thing had ceased
to be q mere sporting gamble with
himself and a few other chosen spir-
its matched against q gang Of GRIM
fnals; 1t had become-if his surmise
was correct-a national affair. Eng
land herself-her very existenceLwas
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 go on.
He must know more; somehow or
other he must get to Paris: he must
attend that meeting at the Ritz. Then
a sound from the room below brought
him back to his vantage point The
American was sitting in q chair, and
Lexington, with q hypodermic syringe
in his hand, was holding his arm.
He made the injection, and Hugh
watched the millionaire. He was still
undecided as to how to act, but for
the moment, at any rate, there was
nothing to be DONE And he was very
curious to hear what Peterson had to
say to the wretched man, who. up to
date, had figured 80 largely In every
round.
After q 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 a groan he sank
back again, plucking feebly with his
hands at his dressing gown.
aBetter, Mr.. Pottsy said Peterson.
suavely.
IL" stammered the other.
sWhere am II"
.At The Films, Godalming, II you
wish to know"
II thought thought He rose
swaying. "What do you want with
me? On you'll"
.aTush, tush," murmured Peterson
.aThere is a lady present, Mr.. Potts
And our wants are so simple. JUST
.vour signature to a little agreement
Inv which in return for certain services
Won promise to join US in our-er-
ilahors in the near future"
II remember" cried the millionaire
snow / remember You swfne-you
filthy swine. refuse absolute
ly."
..The trouble Is, my friend. that you
are altogether too big an employer Of
labor to be allowed to refuse. as
pointed out to ron before. You must
he IN with uA otherwise you might
wreck the scheme. Therefore ! re
auire your Signature
.And when you've got It. cried tnt
American. what good viii Il % g
yo-. / shall repudiate It.
~Ohi no. Mr.. Potts." said Petersoc
win : thoughtful smile; Il can assure
Won. roo Won't. The distressing mat
Ar NON which you hare recently bees