The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-07-16

some big steel trust; and when multi
millionaires get friendly with Lakinl
ton, their health frequently does sui
fer"
but this paper says he's gettin
better" objected DrummOnd. "'Suf
ticiently recovered to conduct bushes
as usual"
IF he Is sufficiently recovered I,
conduct business as usual. why did h,
send his confidential secretary ava,
yesterday morning on an urgent mis-
sion to Belfast"
Search me-" said Hugh. Incl
dentally, how do you know he did?'
Il asked at the Carlton this morn
ing" she answered. 81 said I'd come
after a job as typist for Mr.. Potts
They told me at the inquiry office thai
| he was i'll in bed and unable to see
anybody. So l asked for his secre
tary, and they told me what I've Just
told yOu-that he had left for Belfast
that morning and would be away sew.
eral days. 1t may be that there's
nothing in it; on the other hand. il
may be that there's a lot. And it's
only by following up every possible
clue" she continued fiercely. that |
can hope to beat those fiends and get
daddy out of their clutches"
Drummond nodded gravely. and did
not speak. For into his mind had
flashed suddenly the remembrance of
that sinister. mOtiOnless figure seated
by the chauffeur. The widest guess
work certainly-no veStige of proof
and yet, having once come. the
thought stuck. And as he turned it
over in his mind, almost prepared TO
laugh at himself for his credulity-
milliOnaireS are not removed against
their will, in broad daylight, from one
Of the biggest hotels in London, to sit
In immOvahle silence In an open car
the door opened and an elderly man
came in.
Hugh rose, and the girl introduced
the two men. IAN old friend, daddy"
she said. you must have heard me
speak Of Captain Drummond."
II don't recall the name at the mo-
ment, my dear" he answered courte-
Ously-a fact which was hardly sur
fear I'm getting a little
fOrgetful. You'll stop and have some
dinner, of course"
Hugh bowed. IT should like TO. Mr..
Benton. Thank you very much. I'm
afraid the hour of my call was little
informal, but being round in these
parts, felt l must come and look
Miss Benton up"
His host smiled absentmindedly. |
and walking to the window, stared |
through the gathering dusk at the |
house opposite, half hidden in the |
rees. And Hugh, who was watching
him from under lowered lids, saw him
clench both hands in a ges-
ure of despair.
1t cannot be said that dinner was
| meal of sparkling gaiety. Mr.. Ben
on was palpably Ill at ease, and be-
'ond a few desultOry remarks spoke
hardly at all; while the girl, who sat
opposite Hugh, though she made one
r two valiant attempts to break the
Ong silences, spent most Of the meal
n covertly watching her father. If
nything more had been required to
onvince Drummond of the genuine
ess of his interview with her at the
'arlton the preceding day, the atmOs-
here at this strained and silent party
upplied 1t.
AS If unconscious Of anything peeu-
ar he rambled on In his usual in
Onsistent method, needless of wheth-
he was answered or not; but all ,
he time his mind was bus1ly working.
le had already decided that a Rolls ,
oyce was not the only car on the
ark% which could break down mys-
and with the town so far
way, his host could hardly fail to
'k him to stop the night. And then =
he had not yet quite settled how g
proposed to have a closer look at T
he Elms. ;
At length the meal was over, and b
lie maid, placing the decanter in O
ont of Mr.. Benton, withdrew from 4
e room.
You'll have glass of port, Captain n
remarked his host, re-
owing the stopper, and pushing the u
title toward him. IAN old pre-war h
ne which / can vouch for" h
Hugh smiled, and even as he lifted q
e heavy old cut glass, he stiffened
ddenly in his chair. A cry-haIf G,
out, half scream, and stifled at
ce-had come echoing through the m
en windows. With a crash the 10
'pper fell from Mr.. Benton's nerve
IS fingers, breaking the finger-bowl r.
front Of him, while every vestige Of
color left his face. ~
IT'S something these days to be -
lie to say that" remarked Hugh. O.
uring out himself a glass. "Wine, h.
IS Benton?" He looked at the girl, 70
10 was staring fearfully out of the N
ndow, and forced her to meet his N
:. ut will do you good" ~
His tone was compelling, and after do
moments hesitation, she pushed III
glass over to him. "Will you pour as
'utT' she said, and he saw that she or.
s trembling all over.
Did yOu-did you hear-anything?" an
tn vain endeavor to speak calmly. m,
host looked at Hugh. IN,
That night-bird?" he answered bo
lily. "Eerie noises they make, don't sa
W SOmntfmpc en- Eropoo ,,,ho,