The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-02-03
The Adventures OF a
DenObiliZed officer
Who Found PedceD Dull
By CYRIL McNEILE
"SAPPER"
Copyright By Geo. H. Dorian o.
"SAPPER"
Copyright By Geo. Il. Dorian O..

doctor said no alcohol and very little
meat"
His voice died away, and he rose
slowly to his feet. In the open door
four men were standing, each with
a peculiar-shaped revolver In his
hand
What the devil" cried Drummond
furlously. rs the meaning Of thisT"
"Cut 1t out" cried the leader con-
temptuously. these guns are silent.
If you utter-you die. Do you get
mel"
The veins stood out on Drummond's
forehead, and he controlled himself
with an immense effort.
Are You aware that this man Is a
guest Of mine, and sick" he said, his
voice shaking With rage.
"You don't say" remarked the lead.
er. and one Of the others laughed. rip
the bed-clothes Off, boys, and gag the
young cock-sparTOw."
Before he could resist, a gag was
thrust In Drummond's mouth and his
hands were tied behind his back. Then,
helpless and impotent, he watched
three Of them lift up the man from
the bed, and putting a gag in his
mouth also, carry him out Of the room.
Move" said the fourth to Hugh.
You join the picnic"
A large car drove up as they
reached the street, and In less time
than 1t takes to tell, the two helpless
men were pushed In, followed by the
leader; the door was shut and the car
drove off.
Don't forget" he said to Drum
mond suavely, this gun is silent. You
had better be the same"
At one o'clock the car swung up to
The Elms. For the last ten minutes
Hugh had been watching the invalid
In the corner, who was making frantic
efforts to loosen his gag. His eyes
were rolling horribly, and he swayed
from side to side In his seat, but the
bandages round his hands held firm
and at last he gave 1t up.
Even when he was lifted out and
carried indoors he did not struggle:
he seemed to have sunk into a sort
Of apathy. Drummond followed with
dignifed calmness, and was led into
room off the hall.
In a moment or two Peterson en-
tered. followed by his daughter. "Ah!
my young friend" cried Peterson af-
fahly, II hardly thought you'd give me
such an easy run as this" He put
his hand into Drummonds pockets,
and pulled out his revolver and bun
die Of letters. ITO your bank" he
murmured. "Ohl surely, surely not
that as we'll. Not even stamped. I'm
gag him, Irma-and unite his hands.
My very dear young frlend-you pain
me-"
II wish to know, Mr.. Peterson" said
Hugh quietly, by what right this das-
tardly outrage has been committed.
A friend Of mine, sick in bed-re-
moved. abducted In the middle Of the
night: to say nothing of me-"
With a gentle laugh Irma offered
him a cigarette. Mon Dieuw she re-
marked, "but you are most gloriously
ugly, my Hugh!"
Peterson, with a faint smile, opened
the envelope In his hand. And, even
as he pulled out the contents, he
paused suddenly and the smile faded
from his face. From the landing up
stairs came heavy crash, followed
by food Of the most appalling Ian
guage.
"What the-h-l do you think
you're doing, you fat-faced son Of
Maltese goat? And where the hi am
u. anyway"
II must apologize for my friends
language" murmured Hugh gently,
"but you must admit he has some jus
tifcation. Besides, he was, regret to
state, quite wonderfully drunk earlier
this evening. and just as he was sleep
Ing 1t off these desperadoes abducted
him."
The next moment the door burst op-
en-. and an Infatuated object rushed in.
His face was wild, and his hand was
bandaged, showing a great red stain
on the thumb.
whats this-jest2" he howled furi-
ously. "And this id bandage all
covered with red inkT
"You must ask my friend here,
Mullings," said Hugh. Hes got
peculiar sense Of humor. Anyway,
he's got the bill In his hand"
In silence they watched Peterson
open the paper and read the contents,
while the girl leaned over his shoulder.
To Mr.. Peterson, Godalming.
E& d
To hire Of one demobilized
sOIQler ...s............. y Y
To making him drunk I'm
this item present strength
and cost of drink and
soldiers capacity must
be allowed for), ......... 8 0 o
To bottle Of red ink secs. o 0 i
To shock to system. ....... 10 0 O
Total ..................E2 0 o
CHAPTER w.