The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-09-10


versatiOn for weeks to come. And still
Hugh sang and Peterson cursed; and
still the audience grew. Then, at last,
there came the police with notebook
all complete. and the singer stopped
singing to laugh.
The next moment the laugh frOze on
his lips. Standing by the skylight. with
his revolver raised, was darlington, and
Hugh knew by the expression of his
face that his finger was trembling on
the trigger. Out of view of the crowd
below he did not know of its existence,
and, In a fash, Hugh realized his dan
ger.
"GOOd morrow, Henry" he said
quietly. II wouldn't fire if were you.
We are observed, as they say in melO-
drama. If you don't believe me- his
voice grew a little tense, "just wait
while talk to Peterson, who Is at pres
ent deep in converse with the village
constable and several farm la0Orers-
1t Is doubtful whether any action In
Hugh DrummOnds life ever cost him
such an effort of will as the turning
of his back on the man standing two
yards below him, but he did 1t ap-
parently without thought. He gave one
last glance at the face cOnvulsed with
rage, and then with a smile he looked
down at the crowd below.
Peterson" he called out aRably,
there's a pal Of yours up here-dear
old Henry. And ae's very annoyed at
my concert. Would you just speak to
him, or would you like me to be more
explicit? He Ia so annoyed that there
might be an accident at any moment,
and see that the police have ar
rived. So-er@"
Even at that distance he could see
Peterson's eyes of fury. and he chuck
led softly to himself. But when the
leader spoke, his voice was as suaVe
as ever; the eternal cigar glowed even
Iy at its normal rate.
Are you up on the roof, Laking-
tOnf The words came clearly through
the still summer air.
"YOur turn, Henry" said Drummond.
"Prompter's voice off-'yes. dear Peter
son. / am here. even upon the roof.
with a liver of hideous aspect
With mighty effort Lexington con-
trOlled himself, and his voice. when he
answered. was calm.
Eyes, I'm here. What's the matterT'
Nothing" cried Peterson, "but
we've got quite large and apprecia-
tive audience down here, attracted by
our friends charming concert, and I've
just sent for a large ladder by which
he can come down and Join us. So
there is nothing that you can do
nothing" He repeated the word with
faint emphasis. and Hugh smiled
| genially.
I'm interested in quite q number OF
things, Captain Drummond," said LAX,
ingtOn slowly, 'but they all count as
nothing beside one-getting even with
you. And when I do . :" He
dropped the revolver into his coat
pocket, and stood motionless. staring
at the soldier.
The next instant he opened dOor
in the skyIight which Hugh had failed
to discover during the night. and
climbing down a ladder inside the
room, disappeared from view.
"Hullo, old beani" A cheerful shOu
from the ground made Hugh iOol
down. There, ranged round Peterson
in an effective group, were Peter Oar
rell, Algy LSHgworth, and Jerry Sey
mour. "Bird's-nestln'!"
| "Peter, old SOUL" cried Hugh JOY
fully, II never thought the day woul'
come when should be pleased to se'
your face, but II hast"
Tied and his pal, Hugh, have toddie'
of in your car" said Peter, $50 tina
only leaves us four and Toby"
For q moment Hugh stared at hin
blankly, while he did some rapid mef
tai arithmetic. He even neglected I
descend at once by the ladder whic
had at last been placed In position
Ted and us four and Toby" made 81
and six was the strength Of tn
party as It had arrived. Adding tn
pal made seven; so who the deuC
was the pal1
The matter was settled just as b
reached the ground. Lexington, wilt
eyed and almost fncoherent, rushe
from the house, and. drawing Pete
son on one side, spoke rapidly In
whisper.
Its all right" muttered Algy raj
idly. THEY'RE halfway to LOndO
by now, and going like h. Ii knO
Ted"
1t was then that Hugh started
laugh. He laughed till the tears poure
down his face, and PeterSon's liv
face Of fury made him laugh stl
more.
"Oh you priceless pairl" he sobbe
fright under your bally noses. Sto
awayi Yoicksi" There was anoth
interlude for further hilarity. "Gi'
II ND, you two old dears, and take
Knitting. Well, au revolr. DOUBLE
| we shall meet again quite soon. An
1 above all. Carl. don't do anything
+. Paris which you would be ashamed
\ my knowing"
4 With q friendly wave he turned
II his heel and strolied on, followed
i the other three. The humor Of .
situation was Irresistible; the absolu
poweriessness Of the whole ASSEMBLE
sang to lift q finger 70 stop them
4 front Of the audiences. which ~
.shoSznd No algna Of depARtlnK. .tickl