The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-06-30
..SAPPER
illustrations by
I YRWIN MYERS

may. "Dear, dearl There must be
some mistake"
But Valance Nestor, with frozen
and CLASSY eye, was staring fascinated
at the following choice description of
himself:
"Nestor, Valance. Author-so-called.
Hot-air factory, but useful up to
point. Unfortunately conceited and
monumental ass. Not fit to be trusted
far"
"What," he spluttered at length, sis
the meaning of this abominable in-
sulti'
But Hugh, his shoulders shaking
slightly, was welcoming the next ar
rival--a rugged, beetle-browed man,
whose face seemed vaguely familiar,
but whose name he was unable to
| place.
"Crofter," shouted the Infatuated au-
thor, "look at this as description of
! mel"
And Hugh watched the man, whom
he now knew to be one Of the extrem-
list members of parliament, walk over
and glance at the book. He saw him
conceal smile, and then Valance Mes
tor carried the good work on.
"We'll see what he says about you
Impertinent BLACKBOARD"
Hugh glanced over Crofters Shout
der at the dossier.
| He just had time to read: "Crofter,
John. A consummate Dlackguard
Playing entirely for his own hand
(, Needs careful watching" when the
subject of the remarks, his face con-
vulsed with fury, spun round and faced
| him.
"Who wrote thatT" he snarled.
"Must have been Mr.. Peterson" an
swered Hugh placidly. "a wonderful
| Judge Of character, too," he murmured,
turning away to greet Mr.. Ditchling,
who arrived somewhat OPPORTUNITY, in
company with thin, pale man--little
more than a youth-whose identity
completely defeated Drummond.
"My God!" Crofter was livid with
rage. "Me and Peterson will have
words this afternoon. Look at this,
Ditchling." On second thoughts he
turned over some pages, "We'll see
what this iIlsolent devil has TO say
about you"
"Drinks!" Dltchling thumped the
table with a heavy fist. "What the HI
does he mean? Say, you, Mr., Secre-
tary-what's the meaning of this?"
"They represent Mr. Peterson's con-
sidered opinions of you all" said Hugh
genially. "Perhaps this other gentle
man
He turned to the pale youth. who
stepped forward with surprised look.
He seemed to be not quite clear what
had upset the others, but already Mes
tor had turned up his name.
"Terrance, Victor. A wonderful
speaker. Appears really to believ
that what he says will benefit tn
workingman. Consequently very valu
able; but Individually mad"
"Does he mean to insult us deliber
ately?" demanded Crofter, his voic
still shaking with passion.
"But don't understand" said Victo
Torrance, dazedly. "Does Mr.. Peter
son not believe in our teachings, too?
He turned slowly and looked at Hugh
who shrugged his shoulders.
"He should be here at any moment,
he answered, and as he spoke the doc
N
"Good afternoon, gentlemen" he be
gan, and then he saw Hugh. With
look of speeches. amazement h
stared at the soldier, and for the frs
time since Hugh had known him hi
face blanched. Then his eyes fell o.
the open ledger, and with dreadfu
curse he sprang forward A glance a
the faces of the men Who stood watch
ing him told him what he wanted t
know, and with another oath his han
went to his pocket.
"Take your hand out, Carl Petel
son." Drummond's voice rang throug
the room, and the arch-criminal, lool
3 ing sullenly up, found himself starin
{ into the muzzle of revolver. 'Nov
| sit down at the tabie-all of you. Th
: meeting is about to commence"
Look here. clustered Crofter, IT
have the law on you. :"
i 'By all manner of means, Mr.. job
Crofter, consummate blackguard." al
swered Hugh, calmly. But that come
afterward. Just now--sit down."
"Pm id If / WILL" reared the oil
er, springing at the soldier. And Pete
son, sitting sullenly at the table tn,
| ing to readjust his thoughts to til
sudden binding certainty that throue
, some extraordinary accident ever,
, thing had miscarried, never stirred Q
! a half-stunned member of parliameI
crashed to the floor beside him.
"Sit down, said" remarked Drum
mond, affably. "But If you prefer !
lie down. it's all the same to me. Al
: there any more to come, Petersonf
"No, DIN you. Get it oyerl"
Fright. Throw your gun on Il
:. floor Drummond picked up the we
pom and put 1t In his pocket; then !
rang the bell. y had hoped" ne mn