The Raymer enterprise., 1921-09-22
CHAPTER lV-contInusd.

A nIed determination to know what
lay In that sinister brain replaced his
temporary lndecislon. 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 q 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 q little grimly. He
had just remembered the thumbscrew
Of the preceding evening. Assuredly
the demobilized ofiicer who found
peace dull was getting his moneys
worth and Drummond had q shrewd
suspicion that the entertainment was
only Just beginning.
A sudden sound outside In the gar
den made him look up quicny. He
saw the white CLEAN Of shirt front,
and the next moment a man pushed
open the window and came unsteadily
into the room. II was Mr.. Benton, and
quite obviously he had been seeking
consolation In the bottle.
Have you got himr' he demanded
thickIy, steadying himself with 4 hand
sn Peterson's arm.
Il have not" said Peterson shortly,
syeing the swaying figure In front Of
him contemptuously. For heavens
aake. sit down, man. before you fall
down." He pushed Benton roughly
into Z chair. and resumed his lmpas-
sive stare into the darkness.
The girl took not the slightest notice
Of the new arrival. who gazed stupid.
ly at Drummond across the table.
I'VE seem to be moving In an at-
mosphere Of cross purposes. Mr.. Ben
ton." said the soldier afrably. II hope
your daughter Is quite WELL"
"Er-Quite, thank you." muttered
the other.
Tell her. will you. that l propose
to call on her before returning to Lon
don tomorrow"
With his hands In his pockets, Peter
son was regarding Drummond from
the window.
"You propose leaving US tomorrow.
do you1" he said quietly.
Drummond stood up.
Il ordered my car for ten O'Clock"
he answered. II am quite sure that
] shall be more useful to Mr.. Peter
con at large than ! am cooped up
here. ] might even lead him to this
hidden treasure which he thinks I've
got."
"You will do that, all right 70
marked Peterson. But at the mo-
nent ! was wondering whether . Ut.
lie persuasion nOw-might not give me
oil the information require more
quickly and with less trouble"
A heeting vision Of q mangled. pulp
like thumb flashed across Hugh's
mind: once again he heard that hide
Gus cry. half animal. half human,
which had echoed through the dark
ness the preceding night, and for an
instant his breath came a little faster.
Then he smiled. and shook his head.
Il think you are rather too good a
Judge Of human nature to try anything
- foolish" he said thoughtfully. You
see. unless you kill me, which don't
think would suit your book, you might
and explanations a little difficult to-
morrow"
For a while there was silence In the
room, broken at length by Z short
laugh from Peterson.
"For q young man. truly your per
spicacity 10 great" he remarked. 'Ir.
ma, 10 the blue room readyi II 20,
tell Luigi to show Captain Drummond
70 It."
Il viii show him myself" she On.
swered. rising.
Hugh saw . look Of annoyance pas
svsr Peterson's face 20 he turned
b follow the girl. and II struck him
that that gentleman was not best
pleased at the turn Of events Thsn
the door closed. and hs followed his
guide up the stain
The girl opsos1 ~ dssr of Z room