Middletown transcript., 1921-08-06
CHAPTER VlI-Continued-

his life in the war, and who at preSen'
ekes out a precarious existence IN q
government office. At least, that
what he told Lady F'rumpley-slle
the woman of unassailable virtue
She was profoundly sentimental ano
scents a romance, in addition to Delhe
snOb and scenting future duke, tC
say nothing of a future duchess. by
the mercy Of Allah she's on q com
| mittee with his mother for distrlDut
ing brown paper underclothes to des
titute Belgians, and so Freddie wan
gled an invite for her. VOLTA tout.
Splendid" said LakingtOn slowly
splendid. Young Laidley comes OF
age in about a week, doesn't/he"
Monday, to be exact; and SO l &C
down with my dear aunt on Satur
day"
Lakington nodded his head as II
satisfied, and then glanced at his
watch
what about bed?" he remarked.
Not yet" said Peterson, halting
suddenly in his walk. 81 must see the
Yank before l go to Paris. wei
have him down here now. Give hin
an injection, Henry-and, by God
we'll make the fool sign. Then l car
actually take it over 10 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 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 the grey light
which showed the approach of dawn
What was the best thing to do:
Make with Peterson generally i'm
piled torture. if 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 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
free agent. The thing had ceased
to be mere sporting gamble with
himself and a few other chosen spir-
its matched against a gang of Grim
S,o hol icn
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 llan
own impotence, he realized that even
now he had nothing definite to 60 on
He must know more; somehow OF
other he must get to Paris; he Lust
attend that meeting at the Ritz. Then
Il sound from the room below brought
him back to his vantage point. The
American was sitting in chair, and
Lakington. with 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 fol
the moment, at any rate, there was
nothing to be DONE And he was very
curious to hear what Peterson had tC
! say to the wretched man, who, up to
date, had figured so largely in every
| round.
After while the American ceased
staring vacantly in front of him, anG
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 rounC
| to the girl, and with grOan he sanl
back again, plucking feebly with his
| hands at his dressing gown.
Better, Mr.. Potts?" said Peterson
| suavely.
| "I-I-" stammered the other
"Where am II"
"At The Elms, Godalming, If vol
| wish to know"
| Il thought thought" He rost
swaying. what do you want will
| me! D-n yOu!
'"Tush, tush." murmured Peterson
| '"There is lady present, Mr.. Potts
And our wants are so simple. Jus
your signature to a little agreement
| by which in return for certain service:
| you promise to join us in Our-er-
labors in the near future"
II remember" cried the millionaire
Now I remember. You swine-yOl
| filthy swine, refuse absolute
ly."
'The trouble is, my friend, that 70,
are altogether too big an employer O
labor to be allowed to refuse, as
pointed out to you before. You mus
be in with us, otherwise you nigh
wreck the scheme. Therefore I re
quire your signature"
Sand when you've got it," cried tn
American, "what good will it be t.
you. 1 shall repudiate it."
"Oh! no, Mr.. Potts." said Peterson
with thoughtful smile; Il can assur
you, you won't. The distressing NAL
ady from which you have recently bee1
suffering will again have you in it
grip. 1t renders you quite unfit TO
business" -------
For while there was silence, ant
the millionaire stared round the room
like a trapped animal.
Il refuse!" he cried at last. "1t'
an outrage against humanity. You Cal
DO what you like"
''Then We'll start with little NOR
thumbscrew," remarked Peterson
strolling over to the desk and openin
drawer. IAN astonishingly effectiv
implement, as you can see if you lool
at your thumb" He stood in from