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HEPPNER GAZETTE TIMES, HEPPNER, OREGON, THURSDAY, FEB. 11, 1926. PAGE THREE A Sequel to Bulldog Drummond. BY CYRIL McMFILF iua SYNOPSIS CHAPTER I. To a gathering of anar chists in Barking-, London suburb, Zaboleff, foreign agitator, tells of the operations of a body of men who have become a menace to their activities. He is interrupted by the men he is describing (the Black Gang) , who break up the meeting, sentencing some of the participants to condign punishment and carrying away others. A memorandum found on Zaboleff gives an address in Hox ton, London, which the leader of the at tacking party considers of importance. CHAPTER II. Sir Bryan Johnstone, di rector of criminal investigation, hears from Inspector Mclver, sent to arrest Zaboleff the night before, of his discomfiture. He had been seized and chloroformed and his raid frustrated. Hugh Drummnd, man of leisure and old friend of Johnstone's ar rives and tells of seeing the kidnapers and their victims. He becomes an unpaid agent of the police, to be under the direction of Mclver, and takes up his duties at once. CHAPTER III. A "Mr. William Atkin son," ostensibly pawnbroker and money lender, really Count Zadowa, director of anarchy in England, does business in an other London suburb. A mysterious stran ger invades the premises. Count Zadowa. after a brief glimpse f the intruder, is strangely disconcerted. CHAPTER IV. Drummond, having knowledge of Atkinson's anarchistic activ ities, arranges to burglarize the latter's office to secure evidence of the fact. While so engaged, with two companions, a bomb is hurled at them from an adjoining room. CHAPTER V. The explosion kills "Ginger Martin," expert burglar whom Drummond had employed to open Atkin son's safe. Drummond and his friend es cape, taking with them a bag they find on the floor. Neither Drummond nor his com panion at the time And out what it con tains. CHAPTER VI. At a fashionable hotel Rev. Theodosius Longmoor and his daugh ter Janet are guests. "Longmoor" is really Carl Peterson, international crook, with whom Drummond has an old feud. Zadowa tells Longmoor and his daughter of the bomb he had hurled, which he believes killed the three invaders. Longmoor is en raged, pointing out that the diamonds (Russian crown jewels, of which Zadowa had known nothing) had been lost thru his action. Longmoor insists that Zadowa recover the diamonds, suggesting that they may be in the hands of the police, and warning his subordinate (Longmoor is ad dressed by Zadowa as "chief") that failure will be punished with death. CHAPTER VII. Drummond discovers that Longmoor, most cleverly disguised, is Carl Peterson. Janet, at the same time, recognises in Drummond the leader of the Black Gang, and their old enemy. CHAPTER VIII In Which Hugh Drummond and the Reverend Theodosius Longmoor Lunch Together. "T-OT, Hughl" Peter turned a llt- tie Irritably from his covert in spection of the Reverend Theo dosius Longmoor. "You've got Pe terson on the brain. Why, that old bird is no more like him than my boot." "Nevertheless, It's Peterson," an swered Drummond doggedly. "It's juat that one trick he can never shake off that tapping with his left hand on his knee that made me spot him." "Well, granted you're right," con ceded Darrell grudgingly, "what do wo do now, sergeant major?" "I don't know, Peter. I've got to think this out.' "You're perfectly certain, Hugh?" said Peter, who was still for from convinced. "Absolutely, old man," answered Drummond gravely. "The clergyman over there is Carl Peterson, late of the Elms, Godalming. And the game has begun again." Darrell gave a shoit laugh as he noted the gleam in his leader a eyes, "I'm thinking," he remarked sober ly, "that this time the game is going to make us all go out." "So much the better," grinned Hugh. "We'll add him to our collec tion, Peter, and then we'll present the whole bunch to the 100. And in the meantime, he shall lunch with us when Phyllis arrives, and prattle theology to an appreciative audience Incidentally it will appeal to his sense of humor; there's no difficulty about recognizing us. Look out, tie's coming over." They turned as the clergyman crossed toward them. "Jolly old tum-tum beginning to -shout for nourishment," Baid Hugh with an affable smile as he joined them. "My wife should be here at nnv moment now. Mr. er "Longmoor is my name," said the clergyman, beaming on them. "It is very charming of you to take such eomnassion on a lonely old man." . "Staying here all by yourself 1?" asked Drummond DOhtely. "No; my daughter is with me. The dear child has been my constant com panion ever since my beloved wifo's death some years ago. We hnvo just returned from a visit to the famine' stricken area," replied tho clergy man. "Most Interesting but most torribly sad. You know I don't think I caught your name." "Drummond, Captain Drummond," answered Hugh, mechanically. "And this is Mr. Darrell. I think I have had the pleasure of making your daughter's acquaintance already. She was manufacturing woolen garments for the Austrians down here, and I retrieved an elusivo ball of wool for her." "That is Just my daughter all over, Captain Drummond," beamed the Rev erend Theodosius. "Never wasting her time, always doing something for the good of humanity." But at the moment it is to be re gretted that Hugh was not worrying his head over the good of humanity. Inconceivable though it was, judged on the mere matjtcr of appearance, that the Reverend Theodosius was Carl Peterson, It was still more in conceivable that the wool knitter could be Irma. Of course, Peterson might have changed his daughter but if he hadn't, what then? What had he said to Peter Darrell when the girl, recognizing him all the time, was sitting in the next chair? How much had she overheard? And sud denly Hugh began to feel that he was floundering in deep wator. He glanced at his watch and turn ed to Darrell, "Confound the girl, Peterl She's nearly forty minutes late." "Picked up a pal, old boy, an swered that worthy. "Picked up a pal, and they're masticating a Bath bun somewhere. Why not leave a mes sage at the door, and let's go on with it? I'm darned hungry." The Reverend Theodosius beamed from behind his spectacles. " Tis ever the same," he murmur ed gently. "But it is the prerogative of their sex." Well, let's toddle in and take nourishment," said Hugh, taking hold of the clergyman's arm with his hand and pushing him toward the restau rant. "By the way, what about the daughter? Isn't she going to honor us?" "Not today," answered the Rever end Theodosius. . "She is lunching upstairs with the poor fellow I told you Bbout, whose office was wrecked last night. He is sadly in need of comfort. I understand that the po lice are satisfied that three scoun drels were involved in the crime. And two of them have escaped." "Dirty dogs," said Hugh, frowning, Now if all three had been found adhering to the furniture it might have reconciled you to the loss of those hundred acid "drops." "In fnct," continued the clergyman, helping himself to some fish, "the whole thing is very mysterious. How ever, the police have every hope of laying their hands on the two others very shortly. An unfortunate clerk who was brutally assaulted by them has confided to his employer that he believes he knows who one of the other two was. A huge man, Captain Drummond, of enormous strength; a man well, really, do you know? a man I should imagine just like you. and a man, who popular rumor has it, the head of a mysterious body calling itself the Black Gang. So that should prove a valuable clue for the police when they hear of it." Not by the nicker of an eyelid did Drummond's face change as he listened with polite attention to the clergyman's remarks. But his brain was moving quickly as he took in this new development. One card,' at any rate, was down on the table: his identity as leader of the Black Gang was known to Peterson. It was the girl who had found him out: that was obvious. The point was how did it affect matters. "An elusive person, I believe," he remarked quietly. I don't anticipate that it should be hard to discover him, Captain Drummond," said tho clergyman mild ly. "Surely with your marvelous po lice system . . ." And yet, Mr. Longmoor, said Hugh gravely, "even though lately I have been reinforcing that system literally helping them myself they are still completely in the dark as to his identity. "Incredible," cried tho other. "Still we can only hope for the best.- By the way, I'm afraid your wife has finally deserted you for lunch." He pushed back his chair. "I shall hope to have the pleasure of her acquaint ance some other day. And now if you will excuse me, I must run away. My correspondence at the moment with regard to the relief funds for destitute Austrians is very volum inous. A thousand thanks -ior the most enjoyable meal." He bowed with a courteous smile, and threaded his way through the crowded restaurant toward the door. And it was not until ha had finally disappeared from sight that Hugh turned to Peter Darrell with a thoughtful expression on his face, "Deuced interesting position of af fairs, Peter," he remarked lighting another cigarette. "He knows I'm the leader of our bunch, and doesn't know I know it; I know he's Peterson, and he doesn't know I know it wonder how long it will be before the gloves come off." CHAPTER IX In Which Count Zadowa ia Intro duced to "Alice in Wonderland." A QUARTER of an hour later the two young men stepped into Piccadilly. Evidently Phyllis was not proposing to turn up, and nothing was to bo gained by remain ing. The noxt move lay with the other side, and until it was played it was merely a question of marking time. At the entrance of the Ritz they separated. And it was just as he was standing in Berkeley square, waving his stick vaguely as a mater ial aid to thought, that he felt a touch on his arm. "Excuse me, sir," said a voice at his elbow, "but I would like a few words with you." He looked down and his eyes nar rowed suddenly. Standing beside him was the hunchback, Mr, Atkin son, and for a moment Hugh re garded him in silence. Then, dis missing a strong Inclination to 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 conversationalist are well known, tie remarked, "amongst a large and varied circle. I was not, however, aware that you belonged to it. In other words, sir, who the deuce are you and what the dickens do you want to talk to me about?" Something which concerns us very intimately," returned the other. "And with regard to the first part of your question do you think it necessary to keep up the pretense, especially as there are no witnesses present? I suggest, however, that as our con versation may be a trifle prolonged, and this spot is somewhat draughty, we should adjourn to your house; Brook street, I believe, is where you live, Captain Drummond." Hugh removed his cigar, and star ed at the hunchback thoughtfully. I haven't the slightest wish to have a prolonged conversation with you in any place, draughty or other wise, he remarked at length. ' How ever, if you are prepared to run the risk of being slung out of the window if you bore me, I'll give you ten min utes." He turned on his heel and strolled slowly on toward his house, while the hunchback, shooting venomous giances at him from time to time, walked by his side in silence. And it was not until some five minutes later when they were both in Drum mond's study that any further re mark was made. It was Hugh who spoke, standing with his back to the fireplace, and looking down on the misshapen lit tle man who sat in an arm-chair facing the light. An unpleasant cus tomer, he reflected, now that he saw him close to for the first time: a dan gerous, vindictive little devil but able, distinctly able. Just such a type as Peterson would choose for a tool. "What is it you wish to say to me?" he said curtly. A few things. Captain Drummond," returned the other, "that may help to clear the air. In the. first place may I say how pleased I am to make your acquaintance in the flesh,-eo to speak? I have long wanted a little talk with the leader of the Black Gang." I trust," murmured Hugh solici tously, "that the Bun hasn't proved too much for you." "Shall we drop this beating about the bush?" snapped the other. "I shall drop you down the stairs if you talk to me like that, you d d little microbe," said Hugh coldly, and the other got to his feet with a snarl. His eyes, glaring like those of an angry cat, were fixed on Drummond, who suddenly put out a vast hand to screen the lower part of the hunch back's face. With a cry of fear he recoiled, and Hugh smiled grimly. So it had been Mr. Atkinson himself who had flung the bomb the night be fore: the eyes that had glared at him through the crack in the door were unmistakably the same as those he had just looked into over his own hand. With the rest of the face blotted out to prevent distraction there colud be no doubt about it, and he was still smiling grimly as he lowered his hand. So you think I'm the leader of the Black Gang, do you?" he re marked. "What are your grounds for this somewhat startling state ment?" My grounds are these," said the hunchback, recovering his self-control; "laBt night my office in Hoxton was wrecked by a bomb. That bomb also killed a man." "It did," agreed Hugh grimly. "One of the three men who broke in. The other two escaped how, I don't know. But one of them was recognized by the clerk downstairs." "I gathered that was the story," said Hugh. He was recognized as the leader of the Black Gang an unknown per son. But today at the Ritz, Captain Drummond my celrk, who had brought me a message, recognized him again, without his disguise. No long er an unknown man, you understand but you." , Drummond smiled, and selected a cigarette from his case. "Very pretty," he answered, "but a trifle crude. As I understand you, I gather that your shrewd and in telligent clerk states that the leader of the Black Gang broke into your office last night in oder to indulge in the doubtful pastime of throwing bombs about the premises. He fur ther states that I am the humorist in question. Allowing for the mo- tnent that your clerk is sane, what do you propose to do about it? "In certain eventualities, Captain Drummond, I propose to send an an onymous letter to Scotland Yard. Sur prised though they would be to get it, it might help them to clear up the mystery of Mr. Latter's insanity. It may prove rather unpleasant for you, of course, but that can t be helped. "It's kind of you to give me a loop hole of escape," said Drummond plea santly. "What are the eventualities to which you allude?" "The nonreturn to me of a little bag containing diamonds," remarked the hunchback quietly. "They were in the desk which was wrecked by the bomb." "Dear, dear," said Hugh. "Am I supposed to have them in my posses slon?" "I can only hope most sincerely for your Bake that you have,"- re turned the other, "Otherwise I'm afraid that letter will go to the po lice." For a while Drummond smoked in silence, then, with a lazy smile on his fnce, he sat down in an armchair facing the hunchback. "There are one or two things I hnvo to say to you before depriving myself of the ploasuro of your com pnny. By tho post following tho one which carries your interesting dis closure will go nnother lottor address ed to Sir Bryan Johnctone himself. I shall be in the office when he opens it and we shall both be roaring with laughter over tho extraordinary do lusion that I quite the biggest fool of his acqunlntnnco could possibly be tne leader of the Black Gang. And, Heralds the Spring m i Close on the heels of the first hardy robin comes mflady'dad for Spring.;? Bright, gorgeous colors, feature the charming modes she will wear during the warmer davs. This frock is of pastel tinted chiff on printed in the new floral design, with tie, that the fashionable girl will wear. as if to prove the utter absurdity of the suggestion this second letter will he from the leader of the Black Gang himself. In it he will state that he was present at 5 Green street, Hox ton, last night in an endeavor to obtain possession of the anarchist and Bolshevist literature stored there. That he took with him a pro fessional burglar to assist him in opening the safe and other things which might be there, and that while engaged in this eminently virtuous proceeding he found that he was trap ped in the room by some mechanical device. And then will come a very interesting disclosure. He will state how suddenly he saw through a crack in the door a pair of eyes looking at him. And their color see, what s the color of your eyes? gray- blue, very noticeable. Much the same as old Longmoor's though his are a little bluer. And then tho owner of the eyes was so inconsdierate as to throw a bomb in the room; a bomb which killed one of the men, and wrecked the dsek. So that the owner of the eyes, gray-blue eyes just like yours, is a murderer a common murderer. And we hang men in England for murder." He paused and stared at the hunchback. "This is a jolly game, isn't it?" "And you really imagine, said the hunchback contemptuously, "that ev en your police would believe such a story that a man would wreck his own office, when on your own show ing he had the man trapped inside it?" "Probably not," said Drummond af fably. "Any more than they would believe that I was the leader of the Black Gang. So since they're such wretched crowd of unbelievers I don't think it's much good playing the game. Waste of time, isn't it? So I vote we play another one, all on our own a little of mako believe like we used to play in the nur sery." I haven't an idea what you re talk ing about, Captain Drummond," said the hunchback, shifting uneasily in his chair. For all trnce of affability had vanished from the face of the man opposite him, to be replaced by expression which made Mr. At kinson pass his tongue once or twice over his lips that had suddenly gone dry. Haven t you, you rat7" said Drummond quietly. "Then I'll tell you. Just for the next five minutes we're going to pretend that these two statements which the police stupid fellows won't believe are true. We're going to pretend only pretend, mind you that I am the leader of the Black Gang; and we're going to pre tend that you are the man who flung the bomb last night. Just for five minutes only, then we go back to reality and unbelieving policomen." And if dur'ng the following five minutes strange sounds were heard by Denny in the room below, he was far too accustomed to the sounds of breaking furniture to worry. It was- n t until the hunchback pulled a knife that Diumtnond warmed to his work, but from that moment ho lost his temper. And because the hunch back was a hunchback though en dowed withal by Nature with singu lar strength it jarred on Drummond to fight him as if he had been a nor mal man. So he flogged him with i rhinoceros-hide whip tin his arm ached, and then he flung him into a chair, gasping, cursing and scarcely human. "You shouldn't be so realistic in your stories. Snooks; I shall call you Snooks," he remarked affably, though his eyes were still merciless as he looked at the writhing figure. "And I feel quite sure that that is what the leader of the Black Gang would have done if he had met the peculiar humorist who threw that bomb last night. Bad habit throwing bombs." With a final curao tho hunchback staggered to his feet, and his face was diabolical in its fury. "You shall pay for that, Captain Drummond, stroke by stroke, and lash by lash," he said in a shaking voice. Drummond laughed shortly. "All the same, old patter," he re marked. "Tell old Longmoor with my love " He paused and grinned. "No, on second thoughts I think I'll tell his reverence mysolf at the ap pointed time." "What will you tell him?" sneered the hunchback. "Why, that his church isn't tho only placo where dry-rot has set in. at l m I I II nse It's' prevalent amongst his pals as well. Must you go? Straight down the stairs, and the card tray in the hall is only electro-plate so you might leave it." With a great effort Mr. Atkinson pulled himself together. "Can we come to an understand ing, Captain Drummond he re marked quietly. "I can assure you, of course, that you have made a ter rible mistake in thinking that it'was I who threw that bomb at you last night." "At me?" Drummond laughed short ly. "Who said you'd thrown it at me? That wasn't the game at all, Snooks. You threw it at the leader of the Black Gan." "Can't we put our cards on the tabic?" returned the other with studied moderation. "I know that you are that leader, you know it though it is possible that no one else would believe it. I was wrong to threaten you I should have known better; I apologize. But if I may say so I have had my punishment. Now as man to man can we come to terms?" "I am waiting," said Hugh briefly. "Kindly be as concise as possible." "Those diamonds. Captain Drum mond. Rightly or wrongly, I feel tol erably certain that you either have them in your possession, or that you know where they are. Now, those diamonds were not mine did you speak? No. Well to resume. The diamonds were not mine; they had been deposited in the desk in my of fice unknown to me. Then this fool whom you foolishly think was my selfthrew the bomb into the office to kill you. I admit it; he told me all about it. He did not kill you, for which fact, if I may say so, I am very glad. You're a sportsman, and you've .fought like a sportsman but our fight, Captain Drummond, has been over other matters. The diamonds are a side.-show and hardly concern you and me. I'll be frank with you; they are the sole wealth saved by a Russian nobleman from the Bolshev ist outrages. He deposited them in my office during my absence, with the idea of my selling them for him and now he and his family must starve. And so what I propose is " "I don't think I want to hear your proposal, Snooks," said Drummond kindly. "Doubtless I look a fool; doubtless I am a fool, but I like to. think that I'm not a congenital idiot. I'm glad you have discovered that it's not much use threatening me; but to tell you the strict truth, I prefer threats to nauseating hypocrisy. So much so in fact that the thought of that starving nobleman impels me to take more exercise. Ever read 'Alice in Wonderland,' Snooks? A charming book a masterpiece of English lit erature. And there is one singularly touching, not to say fruity, bit which concerns Father William and a gen teel young man." With a look of complete bewilder ment on his face Mr. Atkinson felt himself propelled through the door, until he came to a halt at the top of the stairs. "It's a little poem, Snooks, and some day I will recite it to you. Just now I can only remember the one singularly beautiful line which has suggested my new form of ex ercise." Mr. Atkinson became aware of a boot in the lower portion of his back, and then the stairs seemed to rise up and hit him. He finally came to rest in the hall against an old oak chest of the pointed-corner type, and for a moment or two he lay there dazed. Then he scrambled to his feet to find three young men, who had emerged from a lower room during his flight, gazing at him impassively; was 35 y3 T while standing at the top of the stairs down which he had Juat de scended and outlined against a win dow was the huge, motionless figure of Drummond. Half cursing, half sobbing, he staggered to the front door and opened it. Once more he looked back not one of the four men had moved. They were just staring at him in absolute silence, and, with a sudden feeling of pure terror. Count Zadowa, alias Mr. At kinson, shut the door behind him and staggered into the sunlit street. (To Be Continued.) Who Deserves Be& Service . Every depositor of this bank is entitled to make use of its service facilities. Depositors who maintain large balances can reasonably expect more service. They have a right to it and they get it. A large balance indicates a sound judgment and business ability that merits the maximum of service from this bank. It is the average bank balance that you carry that counts most. If you require loans or special service, we look up your average balance and the extent of our ser vice often depends on the average balance that you have maintained in your account. That is why you benefit by carrying a reasonably large balance. 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The builders of Haines City areexercising every forethought to guarantee the presence of a sound, substantial foundation for every phase of growth. Watch this growth! 2. Haines City's potentiality as tha greatest manufacturing and distributing center of Central Florida has been recognized. This is evidenced by the coming here of many new Industries. Watch this potentiality become a reality! 8. Haines City has under way a development and improvement program which during the next year will exceed $21,000,000. Watch this program make Haines City the most desirable spot in Florida! Tfranl Btyson REALTOR HOSKINS WORKS IN MORROW.. W. F. Hoskins, recently dismissed from the state prohibition agent's force, is now a deputy sheriff of Mor row county. He was a Pendletom visitor today. "After my dismissal from the service rumors were circu lated that I had taken bribes and had been caught and that my dismis sal was made on that account," he said. "Those rumors were false. I was dismissed from the service for political reasons." He assumed his duties in Morrow county February 1. Pendleton E. 0. rrrrc- 4&