The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-01-05

80 AAHHA -"
watch
what about bedT' he remarked
.Not yet" said Peterson. hating
suddenly IN his walk 4 must see the
Ysnk before 60 70 Paris. Wen
have him down here now. Give him
an iniecilon. Henry-and. by Gad,
wei make the fool sign. Then can
nctually take n over 10 the meeting
with me-"
lie strobe to the door. followed by
Lakington. and the giri IN the chair
stood up and stretched her arms above
her hend. For a moment 6r two Hugh
watched her. then he. too. stood up
right and eased his cramped limbs.
Make the fool sign" The words
echoed through his brain. and he
stared thoughtfully at the grey light
which showed the approach OF dawn.
What was the best thing 10 doi
Make with Peterson generally inn
piled torture, II other means failed.
and Hugh had no intention Of watch.
ing any man tortured. At the same.
time something Of the nature Of the
dlabollcal plot conceived by Peterson
was beginning 20 take a definite shape
in HIS mind. though many Of the most
important links were stIll missing.
And with this knowledge had come
the realization that he was no longer
free agent. The thing had ceased
TO be mere sporting gamble with
himself and a few other chosen spir-
fits matched against a gang Of Grim
inals; II had become-if his surmise
was correct-a national AFFAIR. Eng
land herself-her very eXistence-was
threatened by one OF the vilest plots
ever dreamed OF In the brain OF man.
And then, with a sudden rage at his
own impotence, he realized that even
now he had nothing definite 10 20 on.
He must know more; somehow or
other he must get 10 Paris; he must
attend that meeting at the Ritz. Then
a sound from the room below brought
him back TO his vantage point The
American was sitting in a chair. and
darlington. with a hypodermic syringe
In his hand, was holding his arm.
He made the injection, and Hugh
watched the millionaire. He was still
undecided as 10 how TO act. but for
the moment, at any rate, there was
nothing 10 be done. And he was very
curious TO hear what Peterson had 10 |
say 10 the wretched man, who. up TO |
date, had figured so largely In every |
round.
After a while the American ceased |
staring vacantly In front OF him, and |
passed his hand dazedly over his fore
head. Then he half rose from his |
chair and stared at the two men sit
ting facing him. His eyes came round
to the girl. and with a groan he sank
back again, plucking feebly with his
hands AT his dressing gown.
Better, Mr.. Pottsi" said Peterson,
suavely,
IL" stammered the other.
where am II"
AT The Films. Godalmlng, II you
wish TO know"
II thought thought" He rose
swaylng. "what do you want with
me? On your
flush, tush." murmured Peterson.
"There is a lady present, Mr.. Potts.
And our wants are so simple. just
your signature TO a little agreement,
by which in return for certain services
you promise TO join us In our-er-
labors In the near future"
81 remember" cried the millionaire.
"Now remember You swine-you
filthy swine, / refuse absolute
ly."
"The trouble is, my friend, that you
are altogether too big an employer OF
labor TO be allowed to refuse. as
pointed out 10 you before. You must
be In with US. otherwise you might
wreck the scheme. Therefore re-
quire your signature"
"And when you've got IL" cried the
"whst good will IL be to
you. | shall repudiate IT,"
"Ohl no, Mr.. Potts" said Peterson
with thoughtful smile; Il can assure
you, you won't. The distressing NAL
ady from which you have recently been
will again have you IN Its
grip. II renders you quite unit for
business"
For a while there was silence, and
the millionaire stared round the room
like a trapped animal.
II refusel !" he cried at last. "It's
an outrage against humanity You can
do what you like"
"Then wen start with q little more
remarked Peterson,
strolllng over 10 the desk and opening
a drawer. IAN astonishingly effective
implement. as you can see II you look
AZ your thumb" He stood In front
OF the qulvering man, balancing the
instrument In his hands 1T was IN
der It's influence you gave Us the frs,
signature, which We 50 regrettably lost
/ think wen try 4 again.
The American gave a strangied cry
"a. -. r 49,. Z