Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1925-11-07
CHAPTER w
In Which a Bomb Bursts at
Unpleasantly Close Quarters

II was perhaps because the thought
Of failure never entered Hugh Drum
monds head that such a considerable
measure Of success had been possible
up TO date-that, and the absolute,
unQuestioning obedience which he de-
manded Of his pals members OF the
Black Gang, and which they accorded
him Willingly AS they knew. he laid
no claims TO brilllance; but as they
also knew. he hid very shrewd com
mon sense beneath his frivolous man
ner And having once accepted the
sound military truism that one indf-
ferent general Is better than two good
ones. they accepted his leadership
with answering loyalty What was
going 10 be the end OF their selfim-
posed fight against the pests of so
eiety did not worry them greatly;
all that mattered was that there should
be certain amount Of sport In the
collection Of the specimens. Granted
the promise OF that, they willingly
sacrificed any engagements and car
rled out EIugh's orders to the letter.
Up 10 date however. the campaign,
though far from being dun. had not
produced any really big results. A
number of sprats and a few M l.. ae-
sized fish had duly been caught in the
landing net. and been sent 10 the pri-
waite pool 10 mediate at leisure. But
nothing really large had eumc their
way. Zaboleff was a good haul But
the Black Gang, which aimed merely
at the repression OF terrorism by ter
rorism, had found IL too easy. The
nauseating cowardice OF the majority
Of their opponents was becoming mo-
notonous. their strong aversion 20 soap
and water, insanitary. They wanted
big game-not the rats that emerged
from the sewers,
Even Drummond had begun &c feel
that patriotism might be carried too
far, until the moment when the adj
dress In Hoxton had gallen into their
hands, Then. with the optimism that
lives eternal in the hunters breast
fresh hope had arisen in his mind.
He had determined on bigger game
II II failed--lf they drew hlank-he
had almost decided TO chuck the thing
up altogether Phyllis. he knew,
would be oyerioyed II he did.
Just this one final coup, old girl"
he said, as they sat waiting In the
Carlton for the aweinsplring rela.
tiyes i've got Il cut and dried, and
It comes OF tonight If It's aud.
well dissolve ourselves at any rate.
for the present II only"
He sighed. and his wife looked at
him reproachfuuy
Il know you want another fight with
Petersen. YOU old goat" she remarked.
"But you1l never vse him agail. or
that horrible girl"
Don't you think I shall. PhyIqe He
stared despondently at his shoes. II
can't help feeling myself thar some
where or other behind all this the,
CHEEKY bird IS lurking Ny denr. L
would he too CHASTITY II ! never saw
bin again"
The next time you see him. Hugh"
she answered quietly. "ha wont take
any chances with you"
But my angel child" he doomed
cheerfully = don't want him TO. Not
on your NE Nor shau l. Good
Lord Here they are Uncle Timothy
looks more like maugel.wurzel than
ever"
And SO At nlne-thirty tnat evening. q
party OF FIVE men sat waiting III
small sitting room or house situated
in a remote corner of south Kens5or-
ton, Some easels stood round the
walls covered with ha'f.antshed
sketches as befttei room be'on.4pr
70 q budding artist such rs Tcav Sin.
clair Not that he was an artist or
even a budding one, but Sc teI~ That
Il man must have some excuse for
living IN South Kensiugton. And 50
he had bought the sketches and nut
them round the room. principally 10
deceive the landlady The fact that
he was never there except at strange
hours merely confirmed that excellent
woman's orlnion that all artists were
dlsSolute rascals But ne paid hts
rent regularly, ard times were hard.
especially IN South Kenslngtan. Had
the worthy soul Known that her second