The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-09-11

material aid to thought, that he felt .
touch on his arm.
Excuse me, sir" said voice al
his elbow, but I would like few
words with you."
He looked down, and his eyes mar
rowed suddenly. Standing beside him
was the hunchback, Mr.. Atkinson, and
for ia moment Hugh regarded him in
silence. Then, dismissing strong
inclination to throw this unexpected
apparition under passing furniture
van, he raised his eyebrows slightly
and removed his cigar from his mouth.
Evidently the next move had begun
and he felt curious as to what form
it would take.
my powers as a conversationalist
are well known" he, remarked.
amongst a large and varied circle. ]
was not, however, aware that you be-
longed to it. In other words, sir. who
the deuce are you and what the dick.
ems do you want to talk to me about?'
Something which concerns us botr
very intimately" returned the other
"And with regard to the first part Of
your question-do you think. it neces.
sary to keep up the pretense, esne,
cially as there are no witnesses pres
ent? / suggest, however, that as our
conversation may be trifie prolonged
and this spot is somewhat draughty
we should adjourn to your house :
Brook street, l believe. is where you
live, Captain Drummond."
Hugh removed his cigar, and stareG
at the hunchback thoughtfully
II haven't the slightest wish TO have
prolonged conversation with you il
any place, draughty or otherwise" he
remarked at length. However, If yor
are prepared to run the risk of being
slung out of the window if you bore
me, I'll give you ten minutes"
He turned on his heel and strollet
slowly on toward his, house. while the
hunchback shooting venomous glances
at him from time to time, walked by
his side in silence. And 1t was not
until some five minutes later wher
they were both in Drummond's study
that any further remark was made.
1t was Hugh who spoke, standing
with his back to the fireplace, and
looking down on the misshapen little
man who sat in an armchair facing
the light. An unpleasant customer, he
reflected, now that he saw him close
to for the first time: dangerous, vim
dictive little devil-but able, distinct
ly able. Just such type as Peterson
would choose for tool.
What is it you wish to say to me?'
he. said CURLY.
"a few things, Captain Drummond,'
returned the other, ''that may help tc
clear the air. In the first place may
/ say how pleased / am to make your
acquaintance in the flesh, so to speak :!
/ have long wanted little talk with
the leader of the Black Gang"
Il trust" murmured Hugh solicitous
ly, 'that the sun hasn't proved toe
much for you"
"Shall we drop this beating about
the bush?" snapped the other.
Il shall drop you down the stairs
If you talk to me like that, you id
little microbe," said Hugh coldly, and
the other got to his feet with a snar
His eyes. glaring like those of an an
CRY cat, were fixed on Drummond,
who suddenly put out vast hand to
screen the lower part of the hunch
backs face. With cry of fear he
recoiled, and Hugh smiled grimly. So
it had been Mr. Atkinson himself who
had flung the bomb the night before !:
the eyes that had glared at him
through the crack in the door were
Enthusiastically the same as those he
had just looked into over his own
hand. With the rest of the face hlct.
ted out to prevent distraction there
could be no doubt about it, and he
was still smiling grimly as he lowered
his hand.
$50 you think I'm the leader of the
Black Gang, do yOu?" he remarked.
"What are your grounds for this some
what startling statement?"
/ "My grounds are these" said the
hunchback, recovering his self-centrol !:
''last night my office in Hoxton was
wrecked by bomb. That bomb also
killed a man."
1T did," agreed Hugh grimly.
"One of the three men who broke
in. The other two escaped-how, /
don't know. But one of them was
recognized, by the clerk downstairs"
Il gathered that was the story" said
Hugh.
HE was recognized as the leader of
the Black Gang-an unknown person
But today-at the Ritz, Captain Drum
mond-my clerk, who had brought me
a message, recognized him again. with.
out his disguise. No longer an I'M
known man, you Understandable
you''
Drummond smiled, and selected II
cigarette from his case.
very pretty" he answered, but q
tri1e crude. AS understand you, ]
gather that your shrewd and intelli-