The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-08-26
CHAPTER w
|, Which a Bomb Bursts at
IlnnleasantIy Close Quarters

IJnuleasantly Close Quarters
II was perhaps because the thought
totlure never entered Hugh Drum
,onds head that such a considerable
sasure of success had been possible
~ date-that, and the absolute,
nouesfioning obedience which he de-
Dsnded of his pals. members of the
lack Gang. and which they accorded
i'm willingly. As they knew, he laid
claims to brilliance; but as they
lso knew, he hid a very shrewd COM
,on sense beneath his frivolous man.
n. And having once accepted the
mind military truism that one indif-
prept general is better than two good
mes, they accepted his leadership
nth answering loyalty. What was
olng to be the end of their self-im-
osed fight against the pests of So
Gety did not worry them greatly;
ll that mattered was that there should
e a certain amount of sport In the
Collection of the specimens. Granted
be promise Of that, they willingly
acrifced any engagements and car
led out Hugh's orders to the letter.
Up to date. however, the campaign,
hough far firm being dull, had not
Produced any 'eally big results. A
lumber of sprats and few moderate
ired fish had duly been caught in the
hnding-net, and been sent TO the pri-
|ate pool to mediate at leisure. But
lothing really large had come their
ny. Zaboleff was a good haul. But
be Black Gang, which aimed merely
the repression of terrorism by ter
prism. had found ii too easy. The
auseating cowardice of the majority
4 their opponents was becoming mo-
ctonous, their strong aversion to soap
nd water, insanitary. They wanted
(lg game-not the rats that emerged
pom the sewers.
Even Drummond had begun to feel
|nat patriotism might be carried too
|ar' until the moment when the adj
|less IN Hoxton had gallen into their |
tands. Then. with the optimism that
ives eternal in the hunters breast,
[resn hope had arisen in his mind. |
[e mad determined on bigger game.
l II failed-if they drew blank-he |
20 almost decided to chuck the thing
Y altogether Phyllis, he knew.
'"'hd be overjoyed if he did.
Just this one final coup. old girl"
! said, as they sat waiting in the
,anton for the awe-inspiring rela-
IVES I've got it cut and dried. and |
comes off tonight. II it's a dud.
'sl dissolve ourselves-at any rate,
Vt Inc present. If only"
ne sighed. and his wife looked at
I'm reproachfully.
Anow you want another fight with
= e'e'sen' you old goat" she remarked.
put you'll never see him again. or
al horrible girl"
Don I you think shall. Phyl?" He
..eu despondently at his shoes. 81
! nelp feeling myself that some
ae'e or other behind all this that
,s.'y Ord is lurking. My dear. It
Ou'u De too CHASTITY II | never saw
m again"
!, -ne next time you see him, Hugh"
: answered quietly. ''he won't take
y cnances with YOU"
Dut my angel child" he doomed
eerIully. 81 don't want him TO. Not
your life! Nor shall /. Good
~. mere they are Uncle Timothy
!. "ore like mangel-wurzel than
~au 80 at nine-thirty that evening. a
IN VI nve men sat waiting In a
'''ung-room Of a house situated
i, e,"ote corner Of South Kensing-
N, sumo easels stood round the
" VoVered with half-fnished
,s'aes as befitted a room BELONGING
= |" budding artist such ms, Toby sin.
!. Not that he was an artist or
mo- 'uuuing one. but he felt that
Ins must have some excuse for ,
M south kensington. And so
n oought the sketches and put '
,.,rs 'anu the room. principally to
TO- 'he landlady. The fact that I
II. - never there except at strange
mn ,S'1y confirmed that excellent ,
solr,s op'h'on that all artists were l
l 80. rascals. But he paid his I
er,sn "ar'y and times were hard,
s,,.s IN south Kensington. Had S
"s soul known tina, her second