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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (May 17, 1921)
NOItTIT PLATTE SEMI-WEEKTjT TRIBUNE. BULL-DOG DRUMMOND IT 16 TO LAUGH. Synopsis. In December, 15)8, four men gather In a hotel In Dcrne nnd hear one of the quartet outline a plan to paralyze Great Britain And at the same time nolle world power. The other three, Hocking, Ameri can, and Stclnetnan and Von Uratx, Germans, all millionaires, agree to the scheme, providing another man, Hlrnm Potts, an American, Is taken In. The Instigator of the plot gives his name as Comte de any, but when he leaves for England with his daughter he decides to use the name Carl Peterson. Copt. Hugh (Hull-Dog) Drummond, a retired omcer, advertises for work that will give him excitement, signing "X10." As a result he moots Phyl lis Denton, a young woman who answered his ad. She tells him of strange murders and robberies of which she suspects a band headed by Peterson and Henry Lnklngton. She fears her father Is Involved. Drummond goes to The Larches, Miss Kenton's home, next door to Tho Kims, Peterson's place. Peter son and"Laklngton stop his car and look him over. While dining with Phyllis and her father Drummond leaves Tho Larches and explores The Kims. He discovers Laklngton and Peterson using a thumbscrew on Hlrnm Potts, who signs a paper. Drummond socuros-half the paper, rescues him after a struggle and takes him to his own home. Peter eon calls and demands the half of the torn paper and Potts'. Hugh laughs at him. CHAPTER III Continued. 6 There was something bo Incredibly menacing In the soft, quiet voice tlmt Druinmund looked nt the speaker fas cinated. He had a sudden feeling that he must bo dreaming that in u mo ment or two ho would wake up and find that they had really been talking about the weather (he whole time. Then the cynical gleam of triumph In Peterson's eyes acted on hi in like a cold douche. "Your candor Is as refreshing," he answered genially, "as your similes nro apt. I shudder to think of that poor little tly, Mr. Peterson, especial ly with your chauffeur grinding bis gears to pieces." IIo held' open the uoor.ior nis visitor, ami followed mm into tho passage. . At the other end stood Denny, ostentatiously 'dusting a hook-shelf, and Peterson glanced at him casually. It wan characteristic of the man that no trace of annoyance xli6wcd on his face. IIo might havo bwn. an ordinary visitor taking Ills leave. , And then suddenly from the room uutntde which Denny was dusting there came n low moaning and nn In coherent babble. A quick frown passejl over Drummond's face, und Peterson regarded him thoughtfully "An invalid In the house?." he re marked, "How Inconvenient for you!" He laid bis hand for n moment on the soldier's arm. "I sadly fear you're going to mnko a fool of yourself. And it will be such a pity." IIo turned toward the stnlrs. "Don't bother, lileaso; I can find my own way out." I THREE. Hugh turned back Into his own room, and lighting a particularly noisy pfpe, But down In his own special chair, lie was under no delusions as to the risks ho was running. Under rating his opponent bad uovcr been a fault of his, either In the ring or In France, nnd ho had no intention of beginning now. The man who could .abduct an American millionaire, and drug him till he was little better than n baby, nnd then use a thumbscrew to enforco his wishes, was not likely to' provo over-scrupulous In tho fu ture. After a while ho began half-uncon-clously to tnlk aloud to himself. "Two alternatives, old buck," ho remarked, tabbing the air with hi pipe. "Onr give the Potts bird up at Bcruors treot; two do not. Number one out of court at once. Preposterous absurd. Therefore number two holds tho field." Ho rang the bell. "James," ho said, us the door op ened, "tako a plcco of paper and a pencil If there's one with a point und sit down nt tho table. I'm going to think, and I'd uutu to miss out any thing." His servant compiled, nnd for a while Bllence reigned. "First," remarked Drummond, "put down They know where Potta Is.' Two Thoy will try o got Potta.1 " "Yes, sir," answered Dcuny writing busily. "Three Thoy will not got Potts.' Now, James, you've got to do some thing else. Illso und with your well known stealth approach tho window, aud see if the watcher still wntcheth without." The servant took n prolonged sur vey, nnd finally nunouueed that he raiieu to see mm. Then that proves conclusively that he there," said Hugh. "Wrlto It down, James: Four 'Owing to tho watcher without, I'otU cannot leave tho house without being seen.' live 'Potts must ileuve tho house without being seen.' il want him, James, I want him all to myself. Ho shall go to my cottage on tho river, and you shall took after him." "Yea. sir," returned Jumea dutifully. "And In order to gjt him there, we must get rid of the watcher without. How can we get rid of the bird bow can we, James, I ask you? Why, by giving hi in nothing further to watch for. Once let him think that Potts Is no longer within, unless he's an Imbecile he will no longer remain with out. Now trot along over, Jnmes, and give my compliments to Mr. Durrcll. Ask him to come In and seo me for a moment. Say I'm thinking and daren't move." Jnmes rose obediently, nnd Drum mond heard him cross over the pas sage to the other suite of rooms that Iny on the same floor. Then he heard the murmur of voices, nnd shortly afterward his servant returned. . "He Is in bis hath, sir, but ho'll como over as soon ns he's flnlshed." He delivered the message and stood wait ing. "Anything more, sir?" "Yes, Jnmes. I feel certain that there's a loL Uut Just to carry on with, I'll havo nnother glnss of beer." Ah the door closed, Drummond rose nnd started to pace up and down tho room. The plan he had In his mind wits simple, but" he was a man who believed In simplicity. "Peterson will not come himself nor will our one and only Henry. Potts has not been long In the coun try, which Is all to the good. And If It falls we shan't be any worso off than we are now, Luck that's nil; nnd the more you tempt her, the kind er she Is." He was still talking gently to hlmsolf when Peter Dnrrell strolled Into the ro6m. "Can this thing be true, old boy," remarked the newcomer. "I hear you're In tho throes of a brain-storm." "I am, Peter. I want you to help me." "Ail that I have, dear old flick, Is yours for tho asking. Whnt can I do?" "Well, first of nil, I want you to come along nnd seo tho household pet." IIo piloted Dnrrell along the passage to -the American's room, and ojKjned the door. The millionaire looked at 'hern dazedly from tho pil lows, and Darrell stared back In startled Btirprlse. "My Oodl What's the matter with him?" ho cried. "I woultl give n good deal to know," said Hugh grimly. Then he smiled reassuringly at tho motionless man, and led the way back to tho sitting- room. "Hit down, Peter," he said. "Get outside that beer and listen to me carefully." For ten minutes he spoke, while his cohipnnlon listened In. silence. Gone completely was the rather vacuous- faced youth clad In u gorgeous dress ing-gown; In his place there snt a keen-faced man nodding from time to time as a fresh point was made clear. At length Hugh flnlshed. "Will you do It. old man?" he asked. - "Of course," returned tho other. "Hut wouldn't It be better, Hugh," he said pleadingly, "to whip up two or throo of tho boys and have a real scrap? I don't seem to hnve anything to uo." Drummond shook his head decided ly. "No, Peter, my boy not this show. We're up against a big thing: nnd If you llko to como with me, I think you'll have all you want In tho scrap ping lino before you're flnlshed. Uut this time, low cunning Is tho order." Dnrrell roso. "Itlght you are, dcarlo. Your Instructions shall bo carried out to tho letter. Como and feed your rnce with me." "Not today," said .Hugh. "I've cot quite a hit to get through this nftcr- noon." As soon ns Darrell had gone, Drum mond again rang the bell for his serv ant. "This afternoon, James, you and Mrs. Denny will leave horo and go to Pnddlngton. Go out by the front door, and should you find yourselves being followed as you probably will be keep your heads. Having arrived at tho booklng-ofllco tnko a ticket to Cheltenham, say good-by to Mrs. Den ny In nn Impassioned tone, and exhort her not to miss the next train to that delectable Inland resort. Then, Jnmes, you will hoard tho train for Chelten ham and go there. You will remain there for two days. You will then return here, nnd await further orders. Do you got mo?" "Yes, sir." "Your wife she has n sister or something, hasn't bIio, knocking about somewhere?" "Sho 'us a palsied cousin In Cambor well, sir," remarked James with Justl liable pride. "Magnlllcent," murmured Hugh. "Sho will dally until eventide with hor palsied cousin If sho can bear It and then sho must go by under ground to Ealing, whore sho will tnko a ticket to Goring. I don't think there will be any chance of her being fol lowedyou'll have drawn them off, When sho gets to Goring, I want tho cottogo got ready at once, for two vis Itors." Ho paused and lit u cigarette "Above nil, James mum's tho word. Ax I told you n little whllo ngo, the gamo has begun, Now Just repent what I vo told you." He listened while his sorvant ran 1 Uirouch his Instructions, aud nodded The Adventures of a Demobilized Officer Who Found Peace Dull By CYRIL McNEILE "SAPPER" Copyright by Geo. U. Doran Co. approvingly. "To think there are still people who think military service a waste of timet" he murmured. "Four years ngo you couldn't havo got one word of It right" Ho dismissed Dcuny, and sat down nt his desk. First he took the half torn sheet out of his pocket, nnd put ting It In nn envelope, sealed it care fully. Then he placet) It in another envelope, with a covering letter to his bank, requesting them to keep the In closure JntncL Then he took a sheet of notepuper, nnd with much deliberation proceeded to pen a document which afforded him considerable amusement, Judging by tho grin which nppearcd from time to time on his face. This effusion he also enclosed In n sealed envelope, which he again uddressed to his bank. Finally, he stamped the first, but not the second nnd placed them both In his pocket. With the departure of tho Dennys for Pnddlngton, which coincided most aptly with tho return of Peter Dnr rell, a period of activity commenced In Half Moon street. Hut being Interior, activity, Interfering In no way with the plncld warmth of the street out side, the gentleman without, whom u keen observer might have thought strangely Interested In tho beauties of that well-known thoroughfare seeing that he had been there for three hours remnlned serenely unconscious of It. his pal had followed tho Dennys to Pnddlngton. Drummond had not come out and tho watcher who watched without was beginning to get bored. About 4 :20 he sat up and took notice ns some one left the house; but It wns only tho superbly dressed young man whom ho had discovered 'already was merely a clothes-peg calling himself Darrell. Tho sun wns getting low and the shadows were lengthening when a taxi drove up .to the door. Immediately the watcher drew closer, only to stop "What tho Devil" Cried Drummond Furiously, "la the Meanlna of This?" with n faint smllo as ho saw two men get out of It One wus tho Immaculato Dnrrell ; the other wns'a stranger, nnd both were quite obviously whnt In the vernnculnr Is known ns oiled. "lou nrlsheless olo bean." ho heard Darrell say affectionately, "thlsh blink ing causn my enow." Tho other man hiccoughed assent and leant wearily against the palings. "itlght." he remarked, "olo fr end of mo youth. It shall be ash you wish." With a tolerant eye ho watched them tack up the stairs, singing lustily In chorus. Then tho door above closed, and the melody continued to float out through tho open window. Ten minutes later ho was relieved. It was quite an unostentatious relief: Another man merely strolled pnst him. Aim since tncre was nothing to re port ho merely strolled awnv. Ho could hardly bo expected to know that up in reter Darren's sitting-room, two perfectly sober young men were con templating with professional eyes nn extremely drunk gentleman flinging In n chnlr, and that ono of thoso two sober young men was Peter Dnrrell. Then further Interior activity took place In Half Moon street, and us tho darkness fell, silence gradually settled on tho house. Ten o'clock struck, then eleven nnd the" silence remained unbroken'. It was not till eleven-thirty that a sud den small sound made Hugh Drum mond sit up In his chair, with every nerve alert. It caino from the direc tion of tho kitchen and It was tho sound ho had been waiting for. Swiftly ho opened his door nnd pabsed along titer passage to where me motionless man lay still In bed. "Hiram 0. Potts." ho said In n nw coaxing tone, "sit up and take your sfmoiina. force yourself, laddie, force yourself. I know l fa uausuutlur. but T - " . doctor said no alcohol and very little meat." His voice died nwny, and he roso slowly to his feet. In Uio open door four men wore standlnir. each with a peculiar-shaped revolver In his hnnu. "What the devil," cried Drummond furiously, "Is the meaning of this?" "Cut It out," cried tho loader con temptuously. 'These guns are silent If you utter you die. Do you get me?" The veins Btood out on Drummond's forehead, and ho controlled himself with an immenso effort. "Are you nwaro that this man fs a guest of mine, and sick?" he said, his voice shaking with rnge. "You don't say," remarked the lead: er, and one of the others laughed. "Itlp the bed-clothes off, boys, and gag the young cock-spnrrow." Before ho could resist, a gag was thrust In Drummond's mouth and his hands were tied behind his back. Then. helpless nnd Impotent ho Watched titreo of them lift up the man from the bed, and putting a cac In bis mouth also, carry him out of the room. "Move," said .the fourth to Hugh.' "You Join the picnic." A Inrge car drove ud as they reached tho street, and In less time than It takes to tell, the two helpless men were pushed In, followed by the leader; the door ws shut and the car drove off. "Don't forgot," he said to Drum mond suavely, "this gun Is silent You had better be the same." At one o'clock the car swung un to The Elms. For the last ten minutes Hugh 'hud been wntchlng tho Invalid In the corner, who wns making frantic efforts to- loosen his gag. His eyes were rolling horribly, und he swayed from Bide to side In his seat, but the bandages round his hnnds held firm nnd at last he gave It up. Even when ho wns lifted out and carried indoors ho did not struggle: he seemed to have sunk Into a sort of apathy. Drummond followed with dignified calmness, and was led Into a room off tho hall. In a moment or two Peterson en- tcied, followed by his daughter. "Ah I my youug friend," cried Peterson nf- fably. "I hardly thought you'd rive me such nn easy run as this." He put his hand Into Drummond's Dockets. and pulled out his revolver and u bun dle of letters. "To your bunk," ho murmured. "Oh I surely, surely not tlmt us well. Not oven stumped. Un gag him, Irmn and untie his hands. My very deur young friend you pain me." "I wish to know. Mr. Peterson." said Hugh quietly, "by what right this das tardly outrage has been committed. A friend of mine, sick In bed re moved, abducted In the middle of the night: to say nothing of me." With a gentle laugh Irmn offered him a cigarette. "Mon Dieul" she re marked, "but you are most gloriously ugly, my Hugh I" Peterson, with a faint smile, opened the envelope in his hand. And, oven an he pulled out tho contents, he paused suddenly and tho Bmlle faded from his face. From tho landing up stairs cumu u heavy crash, followed by n Hood of the most appalling Inn- gunge. "What the h I do you think you're doing, you flat-faced son of a Maltese goat? And where the h I am I,unywny?" "I must apologize for my friend's longuugo," murmured Huxh cently. "but you must admit ho has some Jus tification. Besides, he was, I regret to state, quite wonderfully drunk earlier thin evening, and Just as he wns sleep ing It off these desperadoes abducted nun." The next moment the door burst on- en. nnd nn Infuriated object rushed In. His face was wild, nnd his hand was bandaged, showing a great red stain on tho thumb. "What's this Jest?" he howled furl- ously. "And this d d bandage nil covered with' red Ink?" "You must nsk my friend here, Mulllngs,;' snld Hugh. "He's got a peculiar sense of humor. Anyway, he's got tho bill In his hand." In silence they watched Peterson open the paper and rend the contents, while the girl leaned over his shoulder, To Mr. Peterson, Godulmlng. b. d. To hire of one demobilized soldier 8 0 0 To making him drunk (In tills Item present strength and cost of drink und soldier's capacity must be allowed for) 5 0 0 To bottle of red Ink 0 0 1 To shock to system 10 0 0 Total 20 0 1 JpHAPTER IV. In Which He Spends a Quiet Night at the Elm. ONE. "It la a little difficult to know what to do with you. yourut man." said Pe terson gently, after a long sllenco. "i knew you had no tact" Drummond leaned back in his dhali nnd regarded his host with a falpl smile. "I must come to you for lessons, Mr Peterson. Though I frankly admit1 he added genially, "that 1 have nevei been brought up to regard the forclbli abduction of a harmless Individual ant a friend who Is sleeping off the effccti of whnt low pcoplo call a Jag m belni exactly typical of that admirable qual ity." Peterson's glance restrd on the dls beveled mnn still standing by the door, nnd after a moment's thought hi leaned forward and pressed a bell. "Take that man away," he said ab ruptly to the servant who enmo Intc the room, "nnd put him to bed. I will consider what to do with him in thi morning." "Consider bo d d," howled Mul lings, starting forward angrily. "You'll consider a thick ear, Mr. Bloomln, Know-all. What I wants to know" The words died nway In his mouth, and he gazed at Peterson like a bird looks nt a snnke. There was some thing so ruthlessly malignant fn thi stare of tho gray-blue eyes that th ex-soldler who had viewed going over the top with comparative equanimity as being part of his Job quailed and looked apprehensively at Drummond. "Do what the kind gentleman tclli you, Mulllngs," snld Hugh, "and go to bed." Ho lit a cigarette, and thought fully blew out a cloud of smoke. "Stop this fooling," snarled Peter son. "Where have you hidden Potts?" "Tush, tush," murmured Hugh. "You surprise me. I had formed such a charming mental nlcturo of you, Mr. i'eterson, as the. strong, silent mnn who never lost his temper, and here you are, disappointing meat the begin ning of our ncqualntnnce." For a moment he thought that Pe terson was going to strike him, and' his own fist clenched under the table. "I wouldn't, my friend," he snld quietly, "Indeed I wouldn't Because If you hit me, I shall most certainly hit you. And It will nit Improve your benuty." Slowly Peterson sank hack In his chair, and the veins which hnd been standing out on his forehead became normal again. He evon smiled; only the ceaseless tapping jf his hand on his left knee betrayed his momentary loss of composure. Drummond's fist unclenched, nnd he stole n look at the girl. She was In her favorite attitude on the sofa, and had .ot even looked "P. "I suppose that It le quite useless for me to argue with yu," said Peter son ufter a while. "I wns a member Qt my school de bating society," remarked Hugh reml- nlsccntly. "But I was never much good. I'm too obvious for argument, I'm nfrnld." "You -probably renlljo from what has happened tonight." continued Pe terson, "thnt I am In earnest." "I should be sorry to think so," an swered Hugh. "If thht Is the best you enn do, I'd cut t right out and sturt a tomato farm." The girl gave a little gurgle of laughter nnd lit another cigarette. "Will you come and do the danger ous part of the work for us, Monsieur Hugh?" she asked. "If you promise to restrain the little fellows, I'll water them wltii pleas ure." returned Hugh lightly. Peterson rose nnd walked over to the window, where he stood motion less, staring out Into the darkness. Hugh realized that the situation was whnt In mllltnry phraseology might be tcrnied critical. There wero In tho house probably half a dozen men who, like their master, were absolutely un scrupulous. If It suited Peterson's book to kill him, he would not hesitate to do so for n single second. For a moment the thought crossed his mind that he would take no chances by remaining in the house; thnt he would rush Peterson from behind and escape into the darkness of the garden. But it was only mo mentary gono almost before It had come, for Hugh Drummond wns not that manner of man gono eveu before he noticed that Petersen vas standing In such a position that fce could see every detail of the room behind him reflected In the glass through which he starcd.- Both Hugh and Peterson nar rowly escape death In the dark. (TO BE TXWTINUHD.) . Washington's ftellglon. There hns been considerable contro versy over tho extent to which relig ious belief entered Into Washington's character. His own chronicles show that most of his Sundays, except dur ing the presidency, when he felt obliged to set nn cxnmple, he spent In answering letters, going over his ac counts, hunting or doing any business that those with whom he was negoti ating hnd no scruples. In choosing people to work for him he set up no barriers of creed, Judging men from the standpoint of honesty, Industry und ability. How Kisses Came. Of course It doesn't really matter who luvented kissing but the legend of the Grecian shepherdess who found nn opal on one of the hills near Athens nnd, wishing to give It to a young shepherd whose hands were oc cupied, let him tnko It from her lips with his own, is one of many stories which give Greece the honor of the very first kiss. After n man has made a fool of him self he realizes what a fun-lovlag let of acquaintance be baa. Find the Cause! It isn't right to drag along feeling miserable half sick. Find out what is making you feel so badly and try to correct it. Perhaps your kidneys are causing that throbbing backache or thoso sharp, stabbing pains. You may have, morning lameness, too, headaches, dizzy spells and irregular kidney action. Use Doan's Kidney Pills. They have helped thousands of ailing folks. Ask your neighbor! A Nebraska Caso C. R Smith, car penter, .Harvard, Neb., says: "My kidneys troubled mo and I had pains across my back and I was sore and lame. At times I could hardly stoop or bend and tho trouble was always worse nfter I took -old. My kidneys icted Irregularly, InJl T 1 n n .1 T" .) Kidney Pills as directed nnd they oiiciiHiupiieu my duck ana put my kidneys In good shape." Get Doan's at Any Store, flOe Boa DOAN'S K'DTNY FOSTER-MILBURN CO., BUFFALO. N. Y. BuyFairy Sodas packed iniin Ab keep the dainty Ireshness in ,jtENBISCUITco 5Nunnnii&iwrj(iE5( 7 lbs. of Fairy Sodas Is Jnst the right amount of erachers to have handy In tho pantry for famUy nse. In returnable cans these crackers keen fins and fresh for weoks by keeping tbe lid closed. The can Is moisture proof, dust proof, odor proof and vermin proof. The lower price on can lots, the avoid ance of waste or loss of any kind, and the many uses found for crackers when yon have, them handy, make it an economy to buy In full can lots. Ask your Grocer for I-TPM'S FAIRY SODAS r ana oe sure you Bet we genuine, 9 Many havo tried but none hnn vr found n Batlsfuctory way to Investi gate n gasoline tnnk with a Hchted match. Some writer consumes snnco rn rpii us of the origin of mlnco nle. hut nnr notion Is that If tho plo Is made right most of us are more concerned about- Its destination. A new Invention allows n norsnn tn use n typewriter whllo wearing gloves. somebody's expectlnc to save Hini bills nnd nt the same time retain stenographers. If love scenes nre barred from high school plays, think whnt an Inestim able loss the American stage will suffer. . When men demanded thnt their women folk wear rubbers, they never expected the horror of unbuckled gnloshes. An effort Is being made to add Span ish to the official, languages of the League of Nations, and Its clnlms are good. As a world language it Is per haps secontl only to English. Force of Habit. "And how did your love letter affect the pretty teacher?" "Slip gave me a general percentnge of thirty." ALLEN'S FOOT-EASE DOES IT When shoes Dlnch or corns end bunions aehe, ret a nackase ot ALLiSM'B FOOTa XABEJ, the antlseptlo powder to be shaken Into the shoes, It takes the stlngr out ot corns and bunion, sires Instant relief to Bmartlne, Acnlng-, swollen reet. 1.600,000 Dounds ot Dowder tor the feet were used by our Army and Navy during the war. Adv. Ceaseless propaganda failed to In terest any mnn In calorics or vl fa mines. "O nappy Day Bang the laundress as she hung the snowy wash on the line. It wns a "huppy day" because she used lied Cross Ball Blue. Minorities do not resnect muiorl- tles; nnd they only obey them through compulsion. Sure Relief 6 Bell-ans Hot water Sure Relief RE LL-ANS Wfor indigestion COCKROACHES EASILY KILLED TODAY BY US1N0 THE GENUINE Stearns1 Electric Paste Also SURK DEATH to Waterbogt, Ants, IUU and Mice. Tbeae peita are 1h greateat carrier of dtoeue and MUST UK KlT.I.fcn. Tbsr destroy boUi toad and property. Directions In It Ungn&ge In ererr box. Heady for ! two sties Uo and tUQ. V. B. Govamsaent bojt IU HimiRTSODAlll
