The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-02-10
CHAPTER IV-continued.

A fixed determination to know what
lay In that sinister brain replaced his
temporary indecislon. Events up to
date had moved so quickly that he had
hardly had time to get his bearings;
even now the last twenty-four hours
seemed almost a dream. And as he
looked at the broad back and massive
head Of the man at the window, and
from him to the girl Idly smoking on
the sofa, he smiled little grimly. He
had just remembered the thumbscrew
of the preceding evening. Assuredly
the demoblllzed officer who found
peace dull was getting his moneys
worth; and Drummond had a shrewd
suspicion that the entertainment was
only just beginning.
A sudden sound outside In the gar
den made him look up quietly. He
saw the white CLEAN Of shirt front,
and the next moment man pushed
open the window and came unsteadily
into the room. 1t WIS Mr.. Benton, and
quite obviously he had been seeking
consolation In the bottle.
Have you got himT he demanded
thickly, steadyIng himself with hand
on Peterson's arm.
II have not" said Peterson shortly,
cycling the swaylng figure In front Of
him contemptuously. "For heavens
sake, sit down, man, before you fall
down." He pushed Benton roughly
into q chair, and resumed his impas-
sive stare into the darkness.
The girl took not the slightest notice
Of the new arrival. who gazed stupid
iy at Drummond across the table.
1--WE seem to be moving In an at
mosphere Of cross-purposes. Mr.. Ben
ton," said the soldier affably. II hope
your daughter Is quite WE'LL"
"Er--Quite, thank YOU" muttered
the other.
'"Tell her, will you, that l propose
TO call on her before returning to Lon
don tomorrow"
With his hands In his pockets, Peter
son was regarding Drummond from
the window.
"You propose leaving US tomorrow,
do your he said quietly.
Drummond stood up.
II ordered my car for ten O'clock"
he answered. II am quite sure that
j shall be more useful to Mr.. Peter
son at large than l am cooped up
here. l might even lead him to this
hidden treasure which he thinks I've
got"
"You will do that, all right" re-
marked Peterson. But at the mo-
ment was wondering whether lit.
tie persuasion now-might not give me
all the information / require more
quickly and with less trouble"
A heetng vision of q mangied, pulp
Alike thumb flashed across Hugh's
mind; once again he heard that hide
GUS cry, half animal, half human,
which had echoed through the dark
ness the preceding night, and for an
instant his breath came little faster.
Then he smiled, and shook his head.
II think you are rather too good
Judge Of human nature to try anything
20 foolish" he said thoughtfully. you
zee. unless you kill me, which I don't
think would suit your book, you might
hnd explanations little difficult to-
morrow"
For a while there was silence In the
room, broken at length by q short
laugh from Petersen.
"For q young man. truly your per
Ispicacity is great" he remarked. "Ir-
ma, is the blue room readyf II SO.
tell Luigi TO show Captain Drummond
TO It."
II viii show him myself she an
swered. rising.
I Hugh saw a look Of annoyance pass
'Over Peterscn's face as he turned
10 Fellow ths girl. and It struck him
that that gentleman WAS not best
pleased at the turn Of events. Then
me door closed. and be followed his
guide up the stairs.
The girl epsned the door q . room