The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-02-10
By
Cyril McNeile


whatever the report, Hugh Drummond
only grinnned and saw to his mems
breakfast. Which is why there are In
England today quite number Of
civilians who acknowledge only two
rulers--the King and Hugh Drum
mond. And they would willingly die
for either.
The result on Drummond was not
surprising; as nearly as a man may be
he was without fear. And when the
Idea came to him as he sat on the
edge of his bed thoughtfully pulling off
his shoes, no question Of the possible
risk entered into his mind. To explore
the house seemed the most natural
thing In the world, and with character
istie brevity he summed up the stu
alton as II struck him. AsE
"They suspect me anyhow: in fact,
they know I took Potts. Therefore,
even If they catch me passage creep
ing, I'm no worse Off than am now.
And I might find something Of inter-
est. Therefore, carry on, brave heart"
II was dark in the passage outside
as he opened the door Of his room and
crept toward the top Of the stairs. The
collar of his brown lounge coat was
turned up, and his stocking feet made
no sound on the heavy pile carpet.
Like huge shadow he vanished into
the blackness, feeling his way forward
with the uncanny instinct that comes
from much practice. Every now and
then he paused and listened intently,
but the measured ticking Of the clock
below and the occasional creak Of
board alone broke the Stiffness.
To the left lay the room in which he
had spent the evening, and Drummond
turned to the right. As he had gone
up to bed he had noticed a door
screened by heavy curtain which he
thought might be the room Phyllis
Benton had spoken of--the room
where Henry darlington kept his ILL.,
gotten treasures. He felt his way
along the wall, and at length his hand
touched the curtain--only to drop it
again at once. From close beside him
had come sharp. angry hiss. -.
He stepped back pace and stood
rigid, staring at the spot from which
the sound had seemed to come-but
he could see nothing. Then he leaned
forward and once more moved the
curtain. Instantly 1t came again,
sharper and angrier than before.
- =
Hugh passed n hand over his fore
head and found 1t damp. Germans he
knew, and things on two legs, but
what was this that Missed so viciously
in the darkness7 At length he deter
mined to risk 1t, and drew from his
pocket tiny electric torch. Holding
It well away from his body, he
switched on the light. In the center
of the beam, swaying gracefully to
and fro, was a snake. For moment
he watched 1t, fascinated as It spat at
the light angrily; he saw the fiat hood
where the vicious head was set on the
upright body; then he switched of the
torch and retreated rather faster than
he had come.
"A convivial household" he NUT
tered to himself through lips that were
little dry. "A hooded cobra ls an
unpleasing pet"
Hugh had Just determined to recon-
hotter the curtained doorway again to
see IL 1t was possible to circumvent
tile snake, when low chuckle came
distinctly to his ears from the landing
above.
He flushed angrily In the darkness.
There was no doubt whatever as TO
the human origin of that laugh, and
Hugh suddenly realized that he was
making the most profound fool of him
self. To be laughed at by some dirty
swine whom he could strange in half
a minute--was impossible. His fists
clenched, and he swore softly under
his breath. Then az silently as; he
had come down, he commenced to
climb the stairs again. He had hazy
idea that he would like to hit some
thlng-hard.
There were nine stairs In the first
half Of the flight, and It was as he
stood on the fifth that he again heard
the row chuckle. At the same instant
something whizzed past his head SO
low that 1t almost touched his hair,
and there was clang on the wall be-
side him. He ducked instlnctively,
and regardless Of noise raced up the
remaining stairs. on all-fours. His
jaw was set like wise, his eyes were
blazing; In fact, Hugh Drummond was
seeing red.
He paused when he reached the top,
crouching In the darkness. Close to
him he could feel some one else, and
holding his breath, he listened. Then
he heard the man move-only the very
faintest sound---but 1t was enough. \
Without seconds thought he sprang.
and his hands closed on human flesh.
He laughed gently; then he fought in
silence.
His opponent was strong above the
average, but after minute he was
like a child in Hugh's grasp. He
choked once or twice and muttered
something; then Hugh slipped his
right hand gently onto the mans
throat. His fingers moved slowly
round, his thumb adjusted itself low
inrIy. and the mar, felt his head being