NORTH PLATTE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE,
BULL-DOG
DRUMMOND
CHAPTER XII Continued.
18
"Why," lio spluttered nfter a mo
tncfit. "a lot of these people's nnmes
arc absolutely honsewold words In the
country. They mny he swine they
prohnbly nro. Tlinnk Ood! I've very
" rarely met uny; hut they nln't crimi
nals." "No more Is Peterson," grinned the
Amurlciiii ; "nt lcnst not on thnt book.
Keo here, Cnptnln, It's pretty clear
what's happening. In any country to-,
day you've jjnt nil sorts and conditions
of people with more wind than brain.
Thoy Just enn't stop talking, and as yet
It's not n criminal offense. Sonic of
cm believe what they say, like Spin
(lU shuukH upsUiIrs ; some of 'cm don't.
And If they don't, It mnkes 'em worse;
thy start writing as well. You've got
'clever men Intellectual men look at
Mmc of those guys fn tho first-class
general lecturers and they're the
worst of the lot. Then you've got an
other class tho men with tho business
, brain, who think they're getting tho
sticky end of It, and use the talkers
' to pull the chestnuts out of the lire for
them. And the chestnuts, who are the
pcrtr blamed decent worklngmen, are
promptly dropped lu tho ashpit to keep
'cm quiet. They all want something for
nothing, and I guess It can't he done,
Thoy all think they're fooling one an-
other, nnd what's really going ot the
moment Is that Peterson Is fooling the
wholo bunch. Ho wants .all the strings
In his hands, and It looks to me as If
ho'd got 'em there. He'x got the monoy
and we know whero ho got It from;
hit's got tho organization all either
rod-hot revolutionaries, or Intellectual
windstorms, or calculating knaves.
He's amalgamated 'em, Captain; and
the whole blamed lot, whatever they
may think, are really working for
him."
Drummond thoughtfully lit a cig
arette. "Working toward a revolution In
this country," ho remarked quietly.
"Sure thing," answered tho Ameri
can. "And when he brings It off, I
'guess you won't catch Peterson for
dust. He'll pocket tho boodle, and tho
boobs will stew ln their own Juice. I
guessed it in Paris; that book makes
It h certainty. But It ain't criminal
In a court of law ho could swear It was
an organization for selling bird-seed."
For a while Drummond smoked In
silence, while the two sleepern shifted
uneasily In their chairs. It all seemed
so simple In spite of tho Immensity of
the scheme. Like most normal English
. men, politics nnd labor disputes had
left him cold lu the past; but no one
who, over glanced at a newspaper
could bo Ignorant of tho volcnuo that
had been simmering Just beneath tho
surface for years past.
"Not ono In n hundred" the Amerl
can's volco broke Into his train of
thought "of tho Ro-cullod revolution
ary leaders in this country are dlsln
torestcd, Captain. They're out for
Number One, nnd when they've talked
tho boys Into bloody murder, and your
existing social system Is down-and-out,
they'll be tho leaders In tho now one.
That's what they're playing for
power; und when they'vo got It, God
help tho men who gavo It to 'em."
i Drummond nodded, and lit another
cigarette. Odd things ho hud lead re
curred to him; trade unions refusing
to allow discharged soldiers to Join
them; the reiterated thrcuts of direct
action. And to what end?
A passage In n part of tho ledger evl
dently devoted to extracts from ilio
speeches of tho llrst-dass general lee
turors caught his eyo:
To me, the big fnct of modern life Is
the war between classes. , . . People
declare that tho method of direct ac
tion Inside a country will produca a
revolution. I ngreo ... it involves
the creation of nn army. . . ."
And beside the cutting was a note
by Poterson In red Ink:
"An excellent roan I Send for pro
tracted tour."
Tho note of exclamation appealed to
Flugh; ho could see tho writer's
tongue In his chock as ho put It In,
I "It Involves the creation of an army
. ," Tho words of tho Intimidated
rabbit cumo back to his mind. "Tho
man of stupendous orgai.tr.lng power,
who has brought together nnd welded
, Into one the hundreds of societies sim
itar to mine, who before this have
ttich, on their own, been feebly strug
Kllng toward the light. Now wo are
combined, and our strength Is duo to
htm."
In other words, tho army was on the
mad to completion, an army whero
ninety per cent of the lighters duped
by the remaining teii would struggle
blindly towards n dim, half-understood
goal, only to llnd out too lute that tho
v;hlp of Solomon had been exchanged
for the scorpion' of his son. . . .
"Why can't they bo mudo to under
stand, Mr. Green?" he cried bitterly.
The working man tho decent fol
low"
, "Has anyone tried to make 'em un
dc,rstnnd, Captain? I guuss I'm no In
Mlcduul guy, hut there was a French
writer fellow Victor Hugo vho
wroro snmQuimg inai sure nit tue nan
toil the head. I copied It out, for It
seemed good to mc." From his pocket
book'he produced a slip of paper, " "The
faults of women, children, servants,
tho wonk. the Indigent nnd the Ignorant
nre the faults of husbands, fnthers,
masters, the strong, the rich, nnd tho
lenrned.' Wall I" he leaned bnck In his
clmlr, "there you nre. Their proper
leaders have sure failed them, so
they're running after thnt bunch of
cross-eyed sknters. And sitting here,
watching 'em run, nnd laughing lit to
lent tho bnnd, Is your pal Peterson!"
It was at that moment thnt the tele-
phono bell rung, and nfter n slight hes
itation Hugh picked up the receiver.
"Very well," ho grunted, nfter listen
ing for n while, "I will tell him."
He replaced the receiver and turned
to tho American.
"Mr. Dltchllng will ho here for the
meeting nt. two, and Poterson will bo
late." lie announced slowly.
"What's Dltchllng when he's at
home?" asked the other.
"One of the so-called leaders," an
swered Hugh briefly, turning over the
pnges of tho ledger. 'Here's his dos
sier, according to Peterson. 'Dltchllng,
ChurloB. Good speaker; clever; un
scrupulous. Requires big money ; worth
It. Drinks.'"
For a while they stnred at the brief
summary, und then the American burst
into n guffaw of laughter.
"Tho mistake you've made, Captain,
In this country, Is not giving Peterson
n scat in your cabinet. Ho'd hnve the
whole caboose eatlng'out of his hand;
and If you paid him n few hundred
thousnnd a year, ho might run straight
and grow pigs as a hobby. . . ,"
TWO.
It Was a couplo of hours later that
Hugh rang up his rooms in Half Moon
Btrcet. From Algy, who spoke to him,
ho gathered that Phyllis and her fa
ther wero quite safe. He also found
out another thing thnt Ted Jcrnlng
ham had Just arrived with tho hapless
Pottfl In tow, who was apparently suf
llclcntly recovered to talk sense. He
was weak still and dazed, but no long-
er Imbecile.
"Tell Ted to bring him down to Tho
Elms at once," ordered Hugh. "There's
a compatriot of his here, waiting to
welcome him with open arms."
"Potts Is coming, Mr. Green," lie
said, putting down tho receiver. "Our
Illruin C. And . he's talking sense. It
seems to mo that wo may get a little
light thrown on tho nctlvltles of Mr.
Hocking nnd Herr Steluemnnn, nnd
tho other bloke."
Tho American nodded slowly.
"Von Gratz," ho said. "I remember
his name now. Steel man. Mnybo
you're right, Captain, and that he
knows something; uny way, I guess
Illruin C. Potts und I stick closer than
brothers till I restore him to the boxom
of his family."-
Hut Mr. Potts, when ho (Utl nrrlve,
exhibited no greut Inclination to stick
close to the detective; lu fact, he
showed the greatest reluctance to en-
The Millionaire Stared In Silence at
the Detective.
tcr the house at all. As Algy had
said, ho was still weak and dazed, and
the sight of the place whero he had
suffered so much produced such nn ef
fect on him thnt for a whllo Hugh
feared he wns going to have a relapse.
At length, however, he seemed to get
bnck Ills contldence, nnd wns persuad
ed to come into tho central room.
"It's all right, Mr. Potts," Drummond
nssurod him over nnd over ngoln
"Their gang Is dispersed, and Laklng
ton Is dead. We're all friends here
now. You're qulto safe. This Is Mr,
fl pnnii it'lin Im u rmiilit ntnr r-.tut Vtt
.UVVM IIUO V VI III1 1J VIII Jl 1
York especially to find you nnd take
you back to your family,"
The millionaire stared In silence nt
tho detective, who rolled his cigar
round lu his mouth,
"That's right, Mr. Potts. There's tho
little old sign." Ho throw bnck his
I coat, showing tho police badge, nnd
The Adventures of a
Demobilized Officer
Who Found Peace Dull
By CYRIL McNEILE
"SAPPER"
Copright by Geo. II. Dornn Co.
the millionaire nodded. "I guess you've
had things humming on the other side,
nnd If It hadn't been for the Captain
hero nnd his friends, they'd be hum
ming still."
"I'm obliged to you, sir," said the
American, speaking for the first time
to Hugh. Tho words were slow and
hesitating, us If he was not quite sure
of his voice. "I seem to remember
your face," he continued, "ns part of
the awful nightmare I've suffered the
last few days or Is It weeks? I seem
to remember hnvlng seen you, and you
were always kind." .
"That's all over now, Mr. Potts," said
Hugh gently. "You got Into the
clutches of the most Infernal gang of
swine, nnd we've been trying to get
you out again."' He looked at him
quietly. "Do you think you cun re
member enough to tell us what hap
pened nt the beginning? Take your
time." he urged. "There's no hurry."
The millionaire passed his hand daz
edly over his forehead.
"I wns stopping nt tho Carlton," he
began, ''with Granger, my secretary.
I sent him over to Belfast on n ship
ping deal and" He paused utid
looked round the group. "Where Is
Granger?" he nsked.
"Mr. Granger was murdered In Bel
fast, Mr. Potts," sold Drummond quiet
ly, "by n member of the gang that
kidnaped you."
"Murdered I Jimmy Granger mur
dered I" He nlmost cried In I1I3 weak
ness. "What did tho swine want to
murder him for?"
"Because thoy wanted yau alone."
explnlned Hugh. "Prlvute secretaries
ask nwkward questions."
After n while the millionaire recov
ered his composure, and with many
breaks and pnuses the slow, disjointed
story continued:
"Loklngtonl That was the name of
the man I met nt the Carlton. And
then there was. another ..." Peler
. . Peterson. That's It. We all
dined together, I remember, and It
wns after dinner, In my private sitting
room, that Peterson put up his propo
sition to me. ... It was c sugges
tion thnt he thought would uppanl to
me ns a business man. He said what
wns It? that ho could produce a gi
gantic syndicalist strike in England
revolution, In fnct; and that as one of
tho biggest shipowners tho biggest,
In fnct outside this country, I should
bo nble to capture n lot of tho British
cnrrylng trade. He wnnted two hun
dred ujul fifty thousand pounds to do
It, paid one month after the result was
obtained. . . . Said there were others
In It. . . ."
"On that valuation," Interrupted tho
detective, thoughtfully, "It makes one
million pounds sterling," and Drum
mond nodded. "Yes, Mr. Potts; nnd
then?"
"I told him," said the millionaire,
"that he was nn Infernal scoundrel,
nnd that I'd have nothing whatever to
do with such a villainous scheme. And
then almost the last thing I can re
member I saw Peterson look nt Lak
Ington. Then they both sprang on me,
nnd I felt something prick my arm.
And nfter that I can't remember any
thing clearly. Your face, sir" he
turned to Drummond "conies to me
out of n kind of (1 renin ; and yours, too,"
ho ndded to Darrell. "But It was like
a long, dreadful nightmare, In which
vngue things, over which I had no
power, kept happening, until I woke up
Inst night in this gentlemun's house."
He bowed to Ted .Ternlugham, who
grinned cheerfully.
"And mighty glad I was to hear you
tolklng soiiKo again, sir," ho remarked.
"Do you mean to say you have no rec
ollection of how you got there?"
"None, sir; none," answered tho mil
lionaire. "It wns Just purt of the
dream."
"It shows tho strength of the drug
those swine used on you," said Drum
mond grimly, "You went there In an
airplane, Mr. Potts."
"An airplane 1" cried the other in
amazement. "I don't remember it.
I've got no recollection of It whatever.
There's only one other thing that I cun
lay bold of, and that's all dim nnd
muzzy. . . . Penrls. ... A great rope,
of pearls. ... I was to sign a paper;
and I wouldn't. ... I did once, and
then thero wns n shot and the light
went out, nnd the paper disappeared.
"It's at my bank at this moment, Mr.
Potts," said Hugh; "I took that paper,
or part of It, that night."
"Did you?" Tho millionaire looked
at hlm vaguely. "I was to promise
them n million dollars when they had
done what they said. ... I remember
that. . , . And the penrl necklaco.
. . . the duchess of . . ." Ho paused
and shook his head wearily.
"Tho duchess of Lompshlre's?"
prompted Hugh.
"Thnt's It," said the other. "The
duchess of Lnmpshlre's. It was say
ing that I wanted her pearls, I think,
and would ask no questions as to how
they wero got."
Tho detective grunted.
"Wonted to Incriminate you proper
ly, did they? Though It seems to me
thnt It was n blamed risky game.
There should have been enough money
from the other three to run the show
without worrying you, when they
found you weren't for It"
"Walt," said the millionaire, "that
reminds me. Before they assaulted me
at tin; Carlton they told me the others
wouldn't come In unless 1 did."
For a whllo there wns silence,
broken nt length by Hugh.
"Well, Mr. Potts, you've had n moldy
time, and I'm very glad It's over. But
the person you've got to thank for
putting us fellows on your track Is a
girl. If It hadn't been for her I'm
afraid you'd still be having night
mares." "I would like to sec her nnd thnnk
her," suld the mlllfonnlre quickly.
"You shall," grinned Hugh. "Come
to the wedding; It will be In a fort
night or thereabouts." ,
"Wedding I" Mr. Potts looked a lit
tle vngue.
"Yes! Mine nnd hers. Ghastly
proposition, Isn't It?"
"Tho last straw," remarked Ted Jer-
ningham. "A moro Impossible man as
a bridegroom would be hard to think
of. But in the meantime I pinched
half a dozen of the old man's Perrler
Jouet 1911 and put 'em In the cnr.
What say you?"
"Say!" snorted Hugh. "Idiot boy!
Does one speak on such occasions?"
And It was so. . . .
THREE.
"What's troubling me," remarked
Hugh later, "Is what to do with Carl
and that sweet girl Irma."
The hour for the meeting was draw
ing near, and though no one had any
idea as to what sort of a meeting It
was going to be, If wns obvious that
reterson would be one of the hnppv
throng.
"I should say the polled might now
be allowed a look In," murmured Dar
rell mildly. "You can't have the man
lying about the place after you're mar
ried."
"I suppose not," answered Drum
mond, regretfully. "And yet It's n
dreadful thing to finish n little show
like tills with the police If you'll 'for
give my saying so, Mr. Green."
"Sure thing," drawled the American.
"But we have our uses, Captain, and
I'm inclined to agree with your friend's
suggestion. .Hand him over along with
his book, and they'll sweep up the
mess."
"It would bo nn outrage to let the
scoundrel go," said the millionaire
fiercely. "The man Laklngton you sny
Is dead; there's enough evidence to
hang this brute as well. What about
my secretary In Belfast?"
But Drummond. shook his head.
"I have my doubts, Mr. Potts, If
you'd be nble to bring thnt home to
him. Still, I cun quite understand your
feeling rnttled with the bird." He
rose nnd stretched himself; then he
glanced at his watch. "It's time you
nil retired, boys ; the party ought to be
starting soon. Drift ip ngnin with the
lads, the Instant I ring the bell."
Left nlone Hugh made certain on'ce
nguln that he knew the right combina
tion of studs on the wull to open the
big door which concealed the stolen
store of treasure and other things ns
well ; then, lighting a cigarette, he snt
down and waited.
The end of the chase was In sight,
and he hnd determined Jt should be n
fitting end, worthy of the chase Itself
theatrical, perhaps, but at the same
time Impressive. Something for the
Dltchllngs of the party to ponder on in
tho silent watches of the night. . . .
Then the police It would have to be
the police, he admitted sorrowfully
und after that, Phyllis.
And he was Just on tho point of ring
ing up his fiat to tell her that ho loved
her, when the door opened und n mnn
came In. Hugh recognized him nt once
ns Vallance Nestor, on author of great
brilliance In his own eyes who had
lately devoted himself to the advance
ment of revolutionary labor.
"Good afternoon," murmured Drum
mond, nffnbly. "Mr. Peterson will be 11
little late. I nm his private secretary."
Tho other nodded and sat down lan
guidly. "What did you think of my Inst little
effort In the Midlands?" he nsked,
drawing off his gloves.
"Quite wonderful," said Hugh. "A
marvelous help to the great cause."
Vallance Nestor yawned slightly nnd
closed his eyes, only to open them
again as Hugh turned the pages of the
ledger on the tabic.
"What's that?" he demanded.
"This Is the hook," replied Drum
mond carelessly, "where Mr. Peterson
records his opinions of the Immense
value of ull his fellow-workers. Most
Interesting reuding."
"Am I In It?" Vullance Nestor arose
with alacrity.
"Why, of course," answered Drum
mond. "Are you not one of the lead
ora? Here you are." Ho pointed with
his linger, and thou drew bnck In dla
muy. "Dour, dear! There must be
some mistake."
But Vallance Nestor, with a frozen
nnd glassy eyo, wns staring fascinated
at tho following choice description of
himself:
"Nestor, Vnllance. Author so-called.
Hot-air factory, but useful up to n
point. Inordlnutcly conceited and a
monumental uss. Not fit to bo trusted
far."
"What," ho spluttered at length, "la
tho meaning of this abominable In
sult?" But Hugh, his shoulders shaking
slightly, was welcoming the next ar
rival n rugged, beetle-browed mnn,
whose face seemed vaguely familiar,
but whose name he was unnble to
place.
"Crofter," shouted the Infuriated au
thor, "look nt this as a description of
me!"
And Hugh watched the man, whom
he now knew to be ono. of the extrem
1st members of parliament, wnlk over
nnd glance nt the book. He saw hlm
conceal n smile, nnd then Vnlnnce Nes
tor carried the good work on.
"We'll see what he says about you
Impertinent blackguard."
Hugh glanced over Crofter's shoul
der at the dossier.
He Just hnd time to read : "Crof tcr,
John. A consummate blnckguard.
Playing entirely for his own hnnd.
Needs careful watching," when the
subject of the remarks, his face con
vulsed with fury, spun round and faced
htm.
"Who wrote that?" he snarled.
"Must huve been Mr. Peterson," an
swered Hugh placidly. "A wonderful
Judge of character, too," he murmured,
turning away to greet Mr. Dltchllng,
who arrived somewhat opportunely, in
company with a thin, pale man little
more than a youth whose Identity
completely defeated Drummond.
"My God!" Crofter wns livid with
rngc. "Me and Peterson will have
words this afternoon. Look at this.
Tnen, Lighting a Cigarette, He Sat
Down and Waited.
Dlichltug" On second thoughts he
turned over some pnges. "We'll see
what this Insolent devil has to say
ubout you."
"Drinks!" Dltchllng thumped the
tnhle with n heavy fist. "What the h I
does he menn? Say, you, Mr. Secre
tary what's the meaning of this?"
"They represent Mr. Peterson's con
sidered opinions of you nil," snld Hugh
genially. "Perhaps this other gentle
man . . ."
He turned to the pale youth, who
stepped forward with a surprised look.
He seemed to be not quite clear what
had upset the others, but nlrendy Nes
tor had turned up his name,
"Terrnnce, Victor. A wonderful
spenker. Appears really to believe
thnt what he says will benefit the
worklngmun'. Consequently very valu
able; but Indubitably mad."
"Does he mean to insult us dellber
ntely?" demanded Crofter, his voice
still shaking with passion.
"But I don't .understand," snld Victor
Terrance, dazedly. "Does Mr. Peter
son not believe In our teachings, too?"
He turned slowly and looked at Hugh,
who shrugged his shoulders.
"He should bo here at any moment,"
he answered, nnd ns he spoke the door
opened and Carl Peterson came In.
"Good nfternoon, gentlemen," he be
gan, und then he saw Hugh. With a
look of speechless amuzement he
stared at the soldier, and for tho first
time since Hugh had known him his
face blanched. Then his eyes fell on
tho open ledger, nnd with a dreadful
curse he sprang forward. A glance at
the fuces of the men who stood wntch
ing him told him whut he wanted to
know, und with another oath his hand
went to his pocket.
"Take your hnnd out, Carl Peter
son." Drummond's voice rang through
the room, nnd the nrch-crlmlnal, look
ing sullenly up, found himself staring
Into tho muzzle of n revolver. "Now,
sit down nt tho table all of you. The
meeting Is about to commence."
"Look here," blustered Crofter, "I'll
have the law on you. . . ."
"By all manner of means, Mr. John
Crofter, consummate blackguard," an
swered Hugh, cnlmly. "But that comes
nfterward. Just nowsit down."
"I'm d d If I will," roared the oth
er, springing nt the soldier. And Peter
son, sitting sullenly nt the table try
ing to readjust his thoughts to the
sudden blinding certainty that through
some extraordinary accident every
thing hud miscarried, never stirred ns
n half-stunned member of parliament
crashed to the floor beside him.
"Sit down, I snld," remarked Drum
mond, affably. "But If you prefer to
lie down, It's nil the some to me. Are
there any more to come, Peterson?"
"No, d n you. Get It over!"
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
Some men find It easier to acquire
a reputation than to earn a living.
LOCKED HOURS
IN BANK VAULT
Clerk Rescued in Unconscious
Condition Is Revived by
Pulmotor.
GOES TO THE MOVIES
When Questioned by His ParenU De
nies Thrilling Experience In
Which He Was Near Death
From Asphyxiation.
New York. Locked In nn air-tight
steel vault far below the street level
In the Mctropolltnn building, Twenty
third street nud Fourth avenue, for
nenrly two hours, Frederick J.
Schweer, Jr., a clerk In tho Metropoli
tan bank, was rescued Just In time to
save his life. The boy was uncon
scious when lifted out. Au ambulance
surgeon from Bellevue hospital, who
had been waiting more than an hour
with a pulmotor, began work on him.
Tho lad, suffering when he first re
vived, from shock and hystqrla, mnde
such a rapid recovery that after he
reached his home at 109 Chestnut ave
nue, Jersey City, he ate a belated sup
per and hurried out to the movies
without telling his pnrents of his
thrilling experience. And when ho
came back ho stubbornly denied that
he had been In the vault at all.
Watchman Hears Tapping.
It was just before seven o'clock that
John ConnolLy, the bank watchman,
making bis rounds on the subway
level, heftrd a steady tap, tap, tap nt
the door of a big vault used for the
safekeeping of books and records. At
first Connolly thought some one was
trying to break in. Then he became
sure it was some one trying to break
out and dashed for a telephone.
August C. Corby, second Vice presi
dent and cashier of the bank, was Just
enterlng'his home, 215 West One Hun
dred and First streetAwhen he got the
watchman's hurry call. Corby was tho
nearest official who knew the combi
nation. His automobile was outsido
and he broke all traffic regulations get
ting to the bank.
Connolly meantime had notified Pa
trolman Darcy of the East Twenty-
second street stntion, on nearby post,
nnd Darcy had summoned Doctor Mae
Mnnus with the pulmotor.
Thero was some delay In getting the
vault open, which wns not explained,
The Huddled Form of.the Boy.
and long before tho huge doors swung
outward all sounds had ceased within.
Tho huddled form of the boy, his
face pressed close against the doors,
was dragged out by the policemen nnd
the ambulance surgeon.
Near Danger Point.
Doctor MncManus administered re
storatives and applied the pulmotor as
Schweer was suffering from asphyxia
tion nnd his respiration had dimin
ished to the danger point. In a few
minutes his breathing became normnl.
The deep shock of his experlehce be
came apparent the moment he re
gained consciousness,, but once he wns
convinced that nothing more than a
hideous dream remained of his harrow
ing experience he soon got hold of
himself.
Because of efforts made to prevent
tho occurrence from becoming public.
It was not learned Just how Schweer
became Imprisoned. It wns said that
while ho was putting some books nwny
the door was shut "In some manner."
Nor could it be learned precisely how
long the boy had been there. Those
who participated In his rescue and re
vival were certain It was twe hours,
If not longer.
Tortured Girl Wife to Death.
Orookston, Minn. That Carl Knut
eon tortured his twenty-two-year-old
wife to death with dally beatings in
order to punish her for nn indiscretion
beforo her marriage was clvirged by
Jnmon E. Montague, county attorney,
when Knutson, who Is charged with
murder, was arraigned. Knutson noti
fied police that his wife's death was
due to injuries received In a fall down
stairs. An Investigation, according to
the police, showed tho woman's body,
covered with bruises.