Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1922-01-11

ton still shook with silent mfrth.
"And now''--he resumed. rubbing his
hands-''we will prepare your bath.
Captain Drummond And while it is
getting ready, we will just deal with
the chauffeur who neglected his or.
ders"
For few minutes he bent over
the chemicals, and then he poured the
mixture into the water which nalf
flied the long bath at the end OF the
room About five minutes before
we're quite ready" he announced.
"Just time for the chauffeur
He. went to a speaking-tube, down
which he blew. Somewhat naturally
there was no answer, and darlington
frowned.
"a stupid fellow" he remarked soft
ly. "But there is no hurry l will
deal with him later"
darlington returned to the chair
which contained. as he thought his
chief enemy, and was standing beside
It with an unholy JOY shining Oh his
face
"And since have to deal with him
later, Captain Drummond, d. 5. o.,
M. c., may as well deal with you
| now. Then it will be your friends
! turn. | am going TO cut the ropes,
and carry you, while you're so numbed
that you can't move, to the bath. Then
| shall drop you in, Captain Drum
mond and when afterward, you pray
| for death, / shall mercifully spare
| your life-for a while"
He slashed at the ropes behind the
ward eXpectantly.
There" snarled Lexington I'm
ready for you, you young swine
And even as he spoke, the words
died away on his lips, and with a
dreadful cry he sprang back. For
with a dull, heavy thud the body Of
the dead German Heinrich rolled off
! the chair and sprawled at his feet
'My God!" screamed darlington.
what has happened? Il"
He rushed to the bell and pealed it
frantically, and with a smile Of joy
| one came in answer to the ring, and
darlington dashed to the door, only to
rec0i into the room with a choking
! noise in his throat. Outside in the
hall stood four masked men, each
with n revolver pointing at his heart.
"AIy cue" muttered Hugh "And
/ you understand, fellows, don't your
he's my meat"
The next moment he had disap-
/ peared down the ladder, and the three
remaining watchers stared motionless
at the grim scene For darlington had
shut the door and was crouching by
! the table, his nerve utterly gone. And
all the while the puffed, bIoated body
of the German sprawled on the
floor.
Slowly the door into the hall opened,
and with a scream of fear darlington
sprang back. Standing in the door
way was Hugh Drummond and his
face was grim and merciless.
you sent for your chauffeur. Henry
Lakington," he remarked quietly. 81
am here"
what do you mean?" muttered
darlington thicllly.
81 drove you back from Laidley
Towers tonight" said Hugh with a
slight smile THE proper man was
foolish and had TO be killed" He adj
vanced few steps into the room, and
the other shrank back "You look
frightened. Henry. Can it be that
the young swine's wits are, after all.
better than yours"
'sWhat do YOU wantY" gasped LAX.
ington, through dry lips.
81 want you, Henry-just you.
Hitherto you've always used gangs of
your rufianS against me. Now my
gang occupies this house. But I'm
not going to use them. It's going to
he tust--you and l. Stand up, Henry:
stand up-aS / have always stood up
to you" He crossed the room and
stood in front of the covering man.
"Take haIf--take half" he screamed.
I've got treasure :"
And Drummond hit him a fearful
| blow on the mouth.
Il shall take all. Henry, to return to
| their rightful owners. BOys"--he
raised his voice-"carry out these
! other two. and undo them"
The four masked men came In, and
carried out the two chairs.
"The intimidated rabbit, Henry, and
the kindly gentleman you put to guard
/ Miss Benton" he remarked as the
door closed $50 now we may regard
| ourselves as being alone. Just you
and L And one Of us, Lakington-
you devil in human FORMS going in
to that bath"
"But the bath means DEATH"
shrieked Lakington-"death in agony"
THAT will be unfortunate for the
one who goes in" said Drummond,
taking step toward him.
you would murder me?" half sobbed
the terrified man.