The Raymer enterprise., 1921-09-08
CHAPTER ~,
In Which Things Happen in Hall
Moon Street.

Piece VI pdper ne was studying anu
rose to his feet as the doctor came
into the room. He then pushed Sill
yer box Of cigarettes across the table
and waited.
Your friend" said the doctor, "is
In a very peculiar condition, Captain
Drummond-very peculiar. Can you
enllghten me at all as to what he has
been doing during the last few days"
Drummond shook his head. Haven't
an earthly, doctor"
There is, for instance. that very
unpleasant wound In his thumb" pur-
sued the other. "The top joint is
crushed to a pulp"
Il noticed that last night" answered
Hugh noncommittally. Looks as II 1t
had been mixed up between q ham
mer and an anvil, don't it7'
But have you no Idea how 1t oc.
curredr'
"rm full Of IDEAS" said the sol.
dier. I'm fact, II it's any help to you
In your diagnosis that wound was
caused by the application Of an un.
pleasant medieval instrument known
as thumbscrew."
The worthy doctor looked at him In
amazement. "A thumbscrew You
must be Joking Captain Drummond."
"very far from It." answered Hugh
briefly. III you want to know. It
was touch and 90 whether the other
thumb didn't share the same fate"
He blew ont cloud Of smoke and
smiled inwardly as he noticed the look
Of scandallzed horror on his compan-
ions face. ut isn't his thumb that
concerns me-" he continued; "it's his
general condition. What's the matter
with him1"
The doctor pursed his lips and
looked wise. while Drummond won
dered that no one had ever passed
law allowing men Of his type to be
murdered on sight.
His heart seems sound" he an.
swered after a weighty pause, "and /
found nothing wrong with him con-
stitutionally. In fact. l may say,
Captain Drummond, he Is In every
respect a most healthy man. Except
--er-except for this peculiar c0ndi-
ton"
Drummond exploded. 'Damnatlon
take It, man. what on earth do you
suppose ! asked you to come round
fort It's Of no interest to me to hear
that his liver Is working properly"
Then he controlled himself. II beg
your pardon, doctor: l had rather a
trying evening last night. Can you
give me any idea as to what has
caused this peculiar condItion?"
His companion accepted the apology
with an acid bow. "Some form of
drug" he answered.
Drummond heaved q sigh of relief
Now we're getting on" he cried.
Have you any idea what drug?"
ut is, at the moment. hard to say"
returned the other. IN a day or two,
perhaps. l might be able to-er-ar-
rive at some conclusion :"
(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 1t will take for the effect to wear
or"
"That--er-ls, 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 q distressing effect on
peoples manners. Diet was the one
question on which he always let him.
self 20.
mot 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 to his waiting car
with cold dlsapproval on his face.
Excuse me- SIR" The doctor
paused and eyed q well.dressed man
who had spoken, to him uncompro-
misingly. "Am I right In assuming
that Won are A doctorf"
HYOu are Derfcflv correct sir In