Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1925-12-12


Excuse me, sir" said a voice at
his elbow. ''but l would like a few
words with you"
He looked down, and his eyes mar
rowed suddenly. Standing beside him
was the hunchback, Mr.. Atkinson, and
for moment Hugh regarded him In
silence. Then, dismissing a strong
inclination 10 throw this unexpected
apparition under a 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 conyersationalist
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 aboutT
Something which concerns us both
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, espe-
! eially as there are no witnesses pres
entl l suggest. however. that as our
conversation may be trlfe prolonged,
and this spot Is somewhat draughty,
we should adjourn to your house;
Brook street, I believe, is where you
live, Captain Drummondp
Hugh removed his cigar, and stared
at the hunchback thoughtfully.
II haven't the slightest wish to have
prolonged conversation with you In
any place, draughty or otherwise" he
remarked at length. However, IL you
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 stroIled
/ slowly on toward his house, while the
4 hunchback, shooting yenomous glances
at him from time to time, walked by
4 his side In silence. And II was not
until some five minutes later when
/ they were both In Drummond's study
/ that any further remark was made
! II 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 a dangerous, vim.
! dlctive little deyil-but able. distinct
ly able. Just such type as Peterson
would choose for tool.
What is It YOU wish TO say to meY'
4 he said CURLY
a few things Captain Drummond,"
returned the other, that may help to
clear the air In the first place aay
! say how pleased | am to make your
acquaintance in the flesh, so to speak?
I have long wanted little talk with
the leader Of the Black Gang"
Il trust murmured Hugh sollcitous-
w. that the sun hasn't proved too
much for you"
"Shatl we drop this beating about
the bush?" snapped the other.
q shall drop you down the stairs
IL you talk TO me like that. you id
little microbe," said Hugh coldly, and
the other rot TO his feet with snarl.
His eyes, giarlng like those of an an
/ CRY cat, We're fixed on Drummond,
who suddenly put out vast hand 10
screen the lower part of the hunch-
| backs face With a cry of fear he
recoiled, and Hugh smiled grlmly. So
1t had been Mr. Atklr son himself who
had flung the bomb the night before /:
the eyes that had glared at him
through the crack in the door were
Enthusiastically tile same as those he
had just looked into over his own
hand With the rest of the face blot
ted out TO prevent distraction there
could be no doubt about 1t, and he
was stlll smiling grfmly as he lowered
his hand
so you think I'm the leader of the
Black Gang. do youYf he remarked.
What are your grounds for this some
what startling statement2
My grounds are these" said the
hunchback. recovering his self-control
last night my office in Hoxton was
wrecked by a bomb. That bomb also
killed man"
1T did" agreed Hugh grimly.
zone Of the three men who brooks
in. The other two escaped-how. ]
don't know But one Of them was
recognized by the clerk downstairs"
81 gathered that was the story, said
Hugh.
He was recognized as the leader of
The Black Gang AN unknown person.
BUT todEy-at the Ritz Captain Drum
| mond- my clerk. who had brought me
n message. recognized him again. with.
ont lis disguise. No longer an I'M
known uan. you understand
you"
| Diummond smiled. and selected s
cigarette from his case
Very pretty" he answered, ''but a
trl0e crude. As / understand you. l
gather that your shrewd and intelli-
gent clerk states that the leader OF
the Black Gang broke into your office
last night in order to indulge In the
doubtful pastime OF throwing bombs
/ about the premises He further states
/ that I ana the humnrfSf tn oueStion