The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-08-04

his home. Ta, man is Hiram &. Potts
Very lar from it," answered Hugh
briefly. If YOU want To know. it
was touch and go whether the other
thumb didn't share the same fate"
He blew out cloud of smoke and
smiled inwarGly rs he noticed the look
of scandalized horror on his compan-
ions face. 1t isn't his thumb that
concerns me- he continued; Its his
general condition. What's tie matter
with himE"
The doctor purSed his lips and
looked wise, while Drummond Won
dered that no one had ever passed a
law allowing men of his type Ia be
murdered on sight
His heart seems sound" lie an
swered after weighty pause. and
found nothing wrong with him con
stitutiOnally. In fact, l may say,
Captain DrummOnd, he is in every
respect Il most healthy man. Except
-er-eNcept for this peculiar condi-
ton"
Drummond exploded. "DamnatiOn
take il, man, what on earth do you
suppose I asked you 10 come round
for? It's of no interest to me to hear
that his liver is working properly"
Then he controlled himself. Il beg
your pardon, doctor; 1 had rather a
trying evening last night. Can you
give me any Idea as 10 what has
caused this peculiar condition."
His companion accepted the apology
with an acid bow. "SOme form of
drug" he answered
DrummOnd heaved a sigh of relief.
Now We're getting on" he cried
Have you any idea what drug?"
at is, at the moment, hard 10 saw"
returned the other. In a day or two,
perhaps, I might be able to-er-ar-
rive at some conclusion T."
(which. at present, you have not.
Right; now we know where we are.
AS you don't know what the drug is,
presumably you don't know either how
long ii Will take for the effect to wear
or"
''That-er-is. within limits. cor
rect" conceded the doctor.
'What about diet?"
oh! light. Not too much
meat. No alcohol >"
He rose TO his feet as Hugh opened
the door; really the war seemed TO
have produced distressing effect on
peoples manners. Diet was the one
question ON which he always let him
self 20.
'Not much meat-nO alcohol. Right.
Good morning, doctor. Down the
stairs and straight on. Good morn
ing" The door closed behind him,
and he descended 10 his waiting car
with cold diSapproval on his face.
Excuse me, sir" The doctor
paused and eyed a well-dreSsed man
who had spoken to him uncompro-
misingly. Am l right in assuming
that you are a dOctor?'
You are perfectly correct, sir, in
your assumption"
The man smiled: obviously a gen.
tleman, thought the practitioner, with
his hand on the door of his car.
IT'S about a great pal of mine,
Captain DrummOnd. who lives in
here" went on the other. Il hope you
won't think il unprofesSlonal, but 1
thought I'd ask you privately, how
you find him.
The doctor looked surprised. Cap
tain DrummOnd, so far as 1 am aware.
has never been better. Ier-cannot
say the same of his friend" He
stepped into his car. why not go I'D
and see for yOurself?"
The car rolled smoothly into Pic
cadilly, but the man showed no signs
OF availing himself OF the doctors
suggestion. He turned and walked
rapidly away, and a few moments later
in an exclusive West End club
a trunk call was put through to
Godalming-a call which caused the
recipient to nod his head In satIsfac-