The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-02-03

terson gently, after long sllesc&. -
knew you had NO tact"
Drummond leaned back In his chair
and regarded his host with q faint
smile.
Il must come to you for lessons, Mr..
Peterson. Though I frankly admit"
he added genially, 'that l have never
been brought up to regard the forcibls
abduction of harmless Individual and
friend who Is sleeping off the effects
OF what low people call jag as being
exactly typical Of that admirable quail
ity."
Peterson's glance rested on the dis
heveled man still standing by the door,
and after a moments thought he
leaned forward and pressed bell.
take that man away" he said abb
ruptly to the servant who came into
the room, "and put him to bed. l win
consider what to do with him in the
morning"
Consider be ID" howied Null
lings. starting forward angriiy. you'll
consider a thick ear, Mr.. Blooming
Know-all. What l wants to know"
The words died away In his mouth,
and he gazed at Peterson like Q bird
looks at a snake. There was some.
thing SO ruthlessly malignant In the
stare of the gray-blue eyes that the
ex-soldier who had viewed going over
the top with comparative equanlmity
as being part Of his Job quailed and
looked apprehensively at Drummond.
do what the kind gentleman tells
you, Mullings," said Hugh, land 60 to
bed" He ut cigarette, and thought
fully blew out cloud of smoke.
"Stop this fooling." snarled Peter
son. "Where have you hidden Potts"
flush, tush," murmured Hugh. you
surprise me. had formed such a
charming mental picture of you, Mr..
Peterson. as the strong, silent man
who never lost his temper. and here
you are, disappointing me at the begin
ming of our acquaintance"
For a moment he thought that Pc
terson was going to strike him. and his
own fist clenched under the table.
II wouldn't, my friend" he said
quietly, "indeed / wouldn't. Because
IL you hit me, ] shall most certainly
hit you. And II will not improve your
beauty"
Slowly Peterson sank back in his
chair, and the veins which had been
standing out on his forehead became
normal again. He even smiled; only
the ceaseless tapping Of his hand on
his left knee betrayed his momentary
loss of composure. Drummonds fist
unclenched and he stole look at the
girl. She was In her favorite attitude
on the sofa, and had not even looked
up.
~ suppose that II is quite useless
for me to argue with you" said Peter
son after a while.
81 was a member of my school de-
batting society,"" remarked Hugh remi-
niscently. But l was never much
good. I'm too obvious for argument,
Tn afraid"
"You probably realize from what
has happened tonight" continued Pc
terson. "that am in earnest"
81 should be sorry to think So" an
swered Hugh. "If that Is the best
you can do I'd cut It right out and
start a tomato farm"
The girl gave little gurgle Of
laughter and lit another cigarette.
"Will you come and do the danger
Gus part Of the work for us, Monsieur
Hugh2" she asked.
eff you promise to restrain the little
fellows, I'll water them with pleas
ure." returned Hugh lightly.
Peterson rose and walked over to
the window, where he stood motion
less, staring out into the darkness.
Hugh realized that the situation was
what in military phraseology might be
termed critical. There were In the
house. probably half dozen men who,
like their master, were absolutely I'M
scrupulous. II It suited Peterson's
book to kill him, he would not hesitate
to do so for a single second.
pOr d LnOmeut lHe LhuuRhL CrOSSeu
his mind that he would take no
chances by remaining In the house;
that he would rush Peterson from
behind and escape into the darkness
of the garden. But it was only mo-
mentary-gone almost before 1t had
come, for Hugh Drummond was not
that manner of man-gone even before
he noticed that Peterson was standing
in such a position that he could see
every detail of the room behind him
reflected in the glass through which
he stared.