The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-15


a running jump, and caught the ridge
Of the ,loping roof on the side nearest
the road. From where he was he could
not see The Larches, and SO he did
not know what luck the American had
had. But he realized that ii was long
odds against his getting through, and
that his chief hope lay in himself. Ii
occurred to him that far too few un-
biased people knew where he was; il
further occurred to him that 1t was a
state OF affairs which was likely TO
continue unless he remedied It himself.
And so, just as Peterson came strolling
around a corner of the house followed
by several men and a long ladder,
Hugh commenced to sing. He shouted,
he roared at the top Of his very pow
erful voice, and all the time he watched
the men below with a wary eye.
1t was just as two laborerS came in
TO investigate the hideous din that
PeterSOn's party discovered the ladder
was too short by several yards.
Then with great rapidity the audi
ence grew. A passing milkman; two
commercial travellers, Il gentleman Of
slightly inebriated aspect, whose trous
erS left much to the imagination and
finally more farm labOrers. Never had
such a tit-bit Of gossip for the local
alehOuse been seer In the neighbour
hood it would furnish a topic OF con
verSatiOn for weakS 10 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 L%akington, 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 flash, Hugh realized his dan
ger.
Good morrow, Henry" he said
quietly. II wouldn't fire if l 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 laborers."
1t Is doubtful whether any action In
Hugh Drummond's life ever cost him
such an effort Of will as the turning
Af It- I,,1. 90 ~ 800, To- .x.,,
yards below him, but he did IT APP
parently without thought. He gave one
last glance at the face c~Onvulsed with
rage, and then with a smile he looked
down at the crowd below.
Peterson" he called out affably,
there's a pal Of yours up here-dear
old Henry. And le's very annoyed at
my concert. Would you just speak TO
him, or would you like me to be more
explicit? He is 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
ly at its normal rate.
Are YOU up on the roof, Lah:ng-
ton?" The words came clearly through
the still summer air.
Your turn, Henry" said Drummond.
"Prompter's voice of-'yes, dear Peter
son, l am here, even upon the roof,
with a liver Of hideous aspect"
With a mighty effort darlington con
trolled himself, and his voice, when he
answered, was calm.
"Yes, I'm here. What's the matter?"
Nothing" cried Peterson, but
we've got quite a large and apprecia-
tive audience down here. attracted by
II 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
q faint emphasis, and Hugh smiled
genially.
I'm interested In quite a number OF
things, Captain Drummond,' said Lax
ington slowly, but they all count as
nothing beside one-getting even with
you. And when l do :" He
dropped tie revolver into his coat
pocket. and stood ~motionless, staring
at the soldier.
The mex instant he opened n door
in the Skylight which Hugh had failed
to discover during the night. and,
climbing down a ladder inside the
room, disappeared from view.
"HullO, old bean" A cheerful shout
from the ground made Hugh look
down. There, ranged round Peterson,
in an effective group, were Peter Oar
rell, Algy Longworth, and Jerry Sey-
mour. "Bird's-nestin'?"
Peter, old SOUL" cried Hugh joy
fully, II never thought the day would
come when | should be pleased to see
your face, but it has"
Tied and his pal, Hugh, have toddIed
off In your car" said Peter. so that
only leaves us four and Toby"
For a mOmen Hugh stared at him