The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-12-22

(Contirued)

1 here already TO-DAY
Hugh had expected this and smiled
genially.
Precisely. my stout fellow" he re-
marked. but I'll lay a small amount
OF money that they we're newspaper
men. Now, I'm not. And ! think that
II you will have this note delivered
10 Mr.. Potts. he will see me"
He sat down at a table. and drew
a sheet OF paper toward him. Two
facts we're certain: First, that the
man upstairs was not the real Potts
second, that he was one Of Peterson's
gang. The difficulty was TO know eI-
actly how TO word the note. There
might be some mystic password. the
omission OF which would prove him
an Impostor at once. At length ne
took a pen and wrote rapidly; he
would have TO chance IL.
urgent A message from head
quarters"
He sealed the envelope and handed
II with the necessary five shillings
for postage 10 the man. Then he sat
down to wait After what seemed an
interminable delay he saw the mes.
senger crossing the lounge.
mfr. Potts will see you. sir"
Hugh followed his guide along q
corridor, and paused outside door
while he went into room. He heard
murmur OF voices, and then the
man reappeared.
This way, SIR" he said, and Hugh
stepped inside, to stop with an invol-
untary gasp OF surprise. The man
seated in the chair was Potts, to all
intents and purposes. The likeness
was extraordinary, and had he not
known that the real article was at
| Goring he would have been COM
pletely deceived himself.
The man waited till the door was
closed: then he rose and stepped
forward suspiciously.
81 don't know YOU" he said. "Who
are your"
"Slnce when has every one EN-
| ployed at headquarters known one
| anotherf" Drummond returned guard
eddy. "And. incidentally. your like
ness to our lamented friend Is won
derful II very nearly deceived even
me-"
The man, not ill-pleased. gave a
short laugh.
eth pass, I think. But It's risky.
These cursed reporters have been
badgering the whole morning. :.
And II his wife or somebody comes
over. what them II wasn't like
| Rosca 10 bungle in Belfast He's
| never left a clue before. and he had
plenty Of time to do the job prop
eriy."
"A name inside breast-pocket
might easily be overlooked" remarked
Hugh. Selling the obvious clue.
/ Are you making excuses for himr
snarled the other. Hes failed. and
failure IL death. Such Ia our rule.
! Would you have II alteredr'
Most certainly not. The Issues are
far too great for any weakness.
You're right, my friend-you're
right. Long live the Brotherhood"
He stared out OF the window with
| smouldering eyes, and Hugh preserved
a discreet silence. Then suddenly the
! other broke out again. "Haye
they killed that Insolent puppy OF
soldier yeti"
"Er-not yet" murmured Hugh
mildly.
They must find the American AZ
once" The man thumped the table
/ emphatically. at was important be-
I fone-at least his money was. Now
with this blunder-it's vital"
Precisely" said Hugh. Precise
lIy."
| "rve already interviewed one man
/ from Scotland Yard. but every hour
increases the danger. However. you
have a message for me. What Is itT
! Hugh rose and casually picked up
/ his hat. He had got more out Of the
Interview than he had hoped for. and
There was nothing 10 be gained by
prolOnging Il. But II struck him that
+ Mr.. Potts impersOnator was q man
Of unpleasant disposition. and that
I tAeticany = thanking movement 70 the
I door was indicated And. being o.
an open nature himself il Is possible
that the real state ~ affairs showed
for moment on his face. BE thar
as - may. somethir suddenly aroused
The Others suspi SONS aud with
snari ~ fury he s. =au- past Hugh g.
ne door
"who are your lie spaf the words
out yenomoBsly. Or the same time
whipping an ugly.looking knife out q
his pocket
Hugh replaced his hat and stick
on the table and grinned gently.
4 am the insolent puppy q sol
der dear old bird be remarked.
watching the other warily. And II
! vas 700 I'd put The too,hpick away.
You might hun yourself"