The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-10-02
che BlACK GANG

~ OAC SAECA Wy " SOUu WUIAS duU
knitting, Janet, doubtless, such things
do not appeal. Tell me, Theo," he re-
marked as he swept them back into the
bag-"who was the idiot who put them
in Shocks desk? Don't answer II
you'd rather not give away your
maidenly secrets; but it was a pretty
full-sized bloomer on his part, wasn't
it-Apopping Off the old bomb?"
| He leaned back in his chair, and for
a moment CLEAN shone in the others
eyes. for the nape Of Drummond's neck
came exactly against the center Of the
impregnated linen cover.
Doubtless. Captain Drummond,
doubtless" he muFmured politely.
but If you will persist in talking in
riddles, don't you think we might
choose a different subject until Mrs
fDrummond arrives?"
Anything you like, Theo," said
Drummond "I'm perfectly happy talk
ing about you. How the devil do you
do it?" He sat up and stared at the
other man with genuine wonder on his
face. Eyes different voice
figure everything different. You're a
marvel-but for that one small failing
Of yours"
"You interest me profoundly" said
the clergyman. "What is this one
small failing that makes you think
am other than what profess to bey'
Drummond laughed genially,
"Good heavens, don't you know what
it is? Hasn't Janet told you? It's
that dainty little trick of yours of
tickling the left ear with the right big
toe that marks you every time. No
man can do that, Theo, and blush un-
SEEN"
He leaned back again in his chair,
and passed his hand over his forehead.
"By Jove. it's pretty hot in here.
isn't it?"
1T is close everywhere today" an
swered the other easily, though his
eyes behind the spectacles were fixed
intently on Drummond. "Would you
care for drinky'
Drummond smiled; the sudden at of
muzziness seemed to have passed as
quickly as 1t had come.
"Thank you-no," he answered,
politely. "1n your last incarnation,
Theo. you may remember that did
not drink with you. There is an ele-
ment Of doubt about your liquor which
renders it dangerous proceeding"
"As you WILL" said the clergyman
indifferently, at the same time placing
the bottle Of whisky and the glasses on
the table. "If you imagine that / am
capable of interfering with an I'M
opened bottle, obtained from the cell
lars Of the Ritz, it would be well not
to Join me-" He was carefully remoy-
ing the tin foil as he spoke, and once
again the strange muzzy feeling swept
over Drummond. He felt as If things
had suddenly become unreai-as If he
was dreaming. His vision seemed
blurred, and then for the second time
1t passed away, leaving only strange
mental confusion. What was he do
ing in this room? Who was this
benevolent old clergyman drawing the
cork out Of bottle Of whisky?
With an effort he. pulled himself to-
gether. 1t must be the heat or some
thing, he reflected, and he must keep
his brain clear. Perhaps whisky-and-
soda would help. After all, there
could be no danger in drinking from a
bottle which he had seen opened under
his very eyes.
do you know, Theo," he remarked,
Il think I will change my mind and
have a whisky-and-soda."
His voice sounded strange to his
ears; and he wondered if the Others
noticed anything. But apparently not:
the clergyman merely nodded briefly,
and remarked, "Say when"
"When," said Drummond, with a
foolish sort Of laugh. 1t was most
extraordinary thing, but he couldn't
focus his eyes; there were two glasses
on the table and two clergymen splash
ing in soda from two siphons. Surely
he wasn't going to faint; bad thing to
faint when he was alone with Peterson,
He took gulp at his drink and
suddenly began to talk-foolishly and
idiotically. l.,
mice room, Carl, old lad. :.
Never expected meet you again: GER
tainly not in nice room. :"
His voice trailed away, and he sat
there blinking stupidity. Everything
was confused, and his tongue seemed
weighted with lead. He reached out
again for his glass-or tried to--and
his arm refused to move. And sud-
denly out Of the tumble of thoughts
in his brain there emerged the one
damning certainty that somehow or
other he had been trapped and
drugged. He gave hoarse, inartic-
ulate cry, and struggled to rise to his
feet, but 1t was useless; his legs and
arms felt as If they were bound to
the chair by iron bands. And in the
mist that swan before his eyes he
saw the hooking faces Of the clergy
III