The Lamar register., 1921-07-13

tanks might come in handy.
The smile broadened to a grin;
surely life was very good. And then
the grin faded and something sus-
piciously like frown took Its place.
For he had arrived at the Carlton,
and reality had come back to him.
"Mr. Potts will see no one. sir" re
marked the man to whom he ad-
dressed his question. you are about
the twentieth gentleman who has been
here already today"
Hugh had expected this. and smiled
genially.
Precisely. my stout fellow" he re-
marked, but I'll lay small amount
Of money that they were newspaper
men. Now. I'm not. And i think that
II you will have this note delivered
TO Mr.. Potts. he will see me"
He sat down at table. and drew
sheet Of paper toward him. Two
facts were certain; First, that the
mnn upstairs was not the real Potts;
second. that he was one of Peterson's
gang. The difficulty was to know ex-
actly how TO word the note. There
might be some mystic password, the
omission OF which would prove him
an impostor ut once. AT length he
took pen and wrote rapidly; he
would have to chance It.
urgent. message from head
quarters"
He sealed the envelope and handed
It with the necessary ive shillings
for postage to the man. Then he sat
down to walt. After what seemed an
interminable delay he saw the mes
senger crossing the lounge.
Mr.. Potts will see you, sir"
Hugh followed his guide along =
corridor. and paused outside a door
while he went into room. He heard
a mur1nur 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 ull the door was
closed: then he rose and stepped
forward suspiciously.
II don't know you" he said. who
are your"
"SInce when has every one EN-
ployed at headquarters known one
another?" Drummond returned guard
edly. "And. incidentally. your like
ness to our lamented friend is won
derful. 1t very nearly deceived even
me-"
The man. not lll-pleased, gave
short laugh.
"It'Il pass. / think. But it's risky.
These cursed reporters have been
badgering the whole morning. :.
And II his wife or somebody comes
over, what then? 1t wasn't like
Roscs to bungle in Belfast He's
never left a clue before, and he had
plenty Of time TO do the job prop
erly''
"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 Is death. Such is 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. Have
they killed that insolent puppy OF
soldier YETI"
"Er-not yet" murmured Hugh
mildly
''They must find the American at
once" The man thumped the table
emphHtically. ut was Important be
fore-at least his money was. Now
with this blunder-its vital"
Precisely" said Hugh. Precise
ly."
I've 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 TO be gained by
prolonging 1t. But 1t struck him that