The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-02-24
TWO.


marked Hugh, at the conclusion of
lunch, that seated around this table
are four off ers who fought with some
distinction and much discomfort In
the recent historic struggled"
How beautifully you put it, old
flick ~ said Darrell.
HAS it further struck you fellows"
continued Hugh. "that last night we
were done down, trampled on, had
for mugs by crowd Of dirty black
guards composed largely Of the dregs
of the universe?"
"a veritable Solomon" said Algy,
gazing at him admlringly through his
eyeglass 81 told you this morning
detested your friends"
HAS 1t still further struck you"
went on Hugh, trifie grlmly, "that
we aren't standing for it2 / propose
that we should tackle the blighters
tonight"
Tonight ~ echoed Darrell. "Where"
"At The Elms, Of course. That's
where the wretched Potts is for
I certainty"
"And how do you propose that we
should set about it?" demanded Sim
clair.
Drummond drained his port and
grinned gently.
"By stealth, dear old beans by
stealth. You and l thought we
might rake in Ted birmingham, and
perhaps Jerry Seymour, to join the
happy throng-will make demonstra-
ton in force, with the idea Of draw
ing off the enemy, thereby leaving the
coast clear for me to explore the
house for the unfortunate Potts. An
accident A car.
What is the connecting-link.
Why, drink. Write it down, Algy, or
we might forget. Now, can you beat
that?"
1--WE might have some chance" said
Darrell kindly, ''if we had the slight
est idea what you were talking about"
"Pay attention, all Of you" said
Hugh. Tonight some time about ten
of the clock, Algy's motor will pro-
coed along the Godalmlng- GulldfOrd
road. 1t will contain you three-also
Ted and Jerry Seymour, If we can
get 'em. On approaching the gate Of
The Elms. you will render the night
hideous with your vocal efforts. Stray
passers-by will think that you are all
tight. Then will come the dramatic
moment, when, with a heavy crash,
you ram the gate. Mortified at this
wanton damage to property, you will
leave the car and proceed in mass
formation up the drive"
"Still giving tongueT queried Oar
rell.
"Still giving tongue. Either Ted
or Jerry or both of 'em will approach
the house and inform the owner in
heartbroken accents that they have
damaged his gate post. You three will
remain in the garden--you might be
recognized. Then it will be up to
you. You'll have several men all
round you. Keep 'em occupied-some-
how. They won't hurt you; they'll
only be concerned with seeing that
you don't go where you're not wanted.
The last thing they want to do Is to
draw any suspicion on themselves
and, on the face Of 1t, you are merely
five convivial wanderers who have
looked on the wine when II was red.
I think" he added thoughtfully, shat
ten minutes will be enough for me-"
what will you be dOing2" said
Toby.
~ shall be looking for Potts. Don't
worry about me. I'll look after my
self. Now, is that clear?
Perfectly" said Darrell, after a
short silence. But l don't know that
like 1t, Hugh. 1t seems to me, old
son, that you're running an unneces-
sary lot of risk"
Got any alternative" demanded
Drummond.
IF we're all going down." said Oar
rell, "why not stick together and rush
the house 10 gangi
mo go, old beam" said Hugh, de-
cisively. "ToO many Of 'em to hope
to pull 1t off. No, low cunning is the
only thing that's got an earthly Of
succeeding" With grin he rose, and
then stroled toward the door. Now
go and rope in Ted and Jerry, and
for the love Of Heaven don't ram the
wrong gate"
"What are you going to do your
seIf?" demanded Peter suspiciously.
I'm going to look at her from close
to. Go away, all Of you, and don&